Get the inside scoop from the UK’s top ethical business minds

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Ben & Jerry’s have announced their ‘Sundae School’ for 2013, a series of interactive, intimate workshops giving bright and curious minds the chance to come face to face with some of Britain’s most successful ethical and sustainable business gurus; including Jo Fairley (Green & Blacks), Liz Earle (Liz Earle Cosmetics) and Martha Lane Fox (Lastminte.com).

As well as meeting their business heroes, a few lucky attendees at each event will get to practice their presentation skills via a ‘Pitch To Your Hero’ competition, where they will get to pitch their dream business ideas to the business stars, getting personal feedback, hints and tips – along with each scooping a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream.

Each Sundae School event will have its own distinct theme and the series will also feature ethical business experts such as Fairtrade pioneer Safia Minney (People Tree), Renee Elliott (Planet Organic) and Guy Watson (Riverford).

Sundae School is inspired by ‘Join Our Core’, where Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with its friends at Ashoka, the world’s leading network of social entrepreneurs, for a competition to find Europe’s best business moo-vers who share the company’s values of doing business in the most responsible way.

The winners will each scoop cash funding towards their business, have their company’s logo featured on a new Ben & Jerry’s flavour to be sold in shops and bag a trip to Ben & Jerry’s HQ in Vermont, USA; along with receiving specialist mentoring from Ashoka.

Speaking about the launch of Sundae School, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, said: “Sundae School and Join Our Core are both about identifying tomorrow’s ethical business stars walking amongst us today, so we hope meeting and learning from the country’s most successful ethical entrepreneurs will help inspire people to take that first step. Ben and I overcame many hurdles before establishing the company as it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and Sundae School is for anyone who has a fantastic idea or just wants to hear words of wisdom that will help them realise their dream.”

The schedule of events for the Sundae School series is:
Thursday 25th APRIL – ‘Food’ at The Century Club – featuring Jo Fairley and Renee Elliott
Tuesday 14th MAY – ‘Digital’ at Rich Mix – featuring Martha Lane Fox and Guy Watson
Monday 3rd JUNE – ‘Fashion & Beauty’ at The Book Club – featuring Liz Earle and Safia Minney

You can book a free place at Sundae School by visiting http://www.seetickets.com/Tour/BEN-JERRY-S-SUNDAE-SCHOOL-SERIES