Peter Jones CBE, founder of the Peter Jones Foundation, hosted the annual graduation ceremony in London presenting David Humpston with the highest accolade in front of hundreds of guests.
David Humpston was one of the six students from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy that made it through to the finals for the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award and pitched his business idea to a panel of expert judges led by Jones.
The judges put David Humpston through his paces, dissecting his business model and ensuring it was robust enough to go all the way to the top. Throughout the judging process, each of the finalists were assessed according to the uniqueness of their concept, their financial forecasts and ultimate goals for their business.
David runs Viewpoint Videos, a company allowing customers of experience venues to have their adventures filmed using action cameras, with the ability for them to instantly share their experiences on social media in one click.
A former rally driver, David has a competitive spirit and impressed the judges with his experience in action cameras and digital marketing and design. David set himself apart from the other National Entrepreneur of the Year finalists, having already secured interest from investors and holding an impressive track record with current clients.
As National Entrepreneur of the Year 2014, David Humpston will receive national recognition for his hard work and will be given the unique opportunity to represent the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy as an Academy Ambassador throughout the coming year. David’s investment will give his business the financial boost it neesd and ensure it gets off to the best possible start.
Sonya Kumar, a student from Westminster Kingsway College was Highly Commended for her company Svadish Organic, a catering service that provides healthy Indian cuisine. Sonya captivated the judges with her impressive background in catering and her vision to continue the legacy of her grandfather, a successful and well-known chef in Kenya who owned a restaurant serving Indian Kenyan cuisine.
Inspirational businesswoman Carol Slesser, whose life was dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurship, donated money to the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy to give its most promising students the financial backing to kick-start their business ventures. Investment for the National Entrepreneur of the Year winner is a legacy that will continue for many years to come, giving each budding entrepreneur the chance to build upon the skills and know-how they gained from the Academy.
Softcat, the leading UK IT reseller, sponsored this year’s National Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Speaking about the awards Peter Jones said: “I am absolutely delighted to recognise David as the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy National Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. During his pitch he demonstrated all of the necessary qualities of an entrepreneur – confidence, ambition, entrepreneurial flair and a good business idea. As ever, the competition was fierce this year, and I wish David every success in the future.
“The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy graduation is always such a highlight for me and it is fantastic to celebrate the latest generation of entrepreneurs as they embark on the next chapter of their lives – watch this space, this week’s graduates will be disrupting and leading the world!”
Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Peter Jones Foundation added: “Each year, the determination and talent that our graduates possess amazes me, and this year is certainly no exception. David Humpston has proved himself to be particularly inspirational and I am thrilled to have named him National Entrepreneur of the Year. I have every faith that David will make a success of his video marketing business and I am confident he will invest the £5,000 wisely.
“Our students work incredibly hard throughout the year and I am cannot wait to see all that they achieve in the coming months and years. Whether they are running their own business, or working innovatively within one, I know we will continue to hear great things from them.”
David Humpston, founder, Viewpoint Videos and National Entrepreneur of the Year 2014: “This award will be a huge boost for both me and my business. Not only will the £5,000 prize enable me to expand Viewpoint Videos, but the prestige it carries will give me invaluable credibility. Thank you to the Peter Jones Foundation, Carol Slesser and everyone who supported me along the way – I couldn’t have done it without you all.”
The 2013 Peter Jones Enterprise Academy Award Winners are:
Level 2 Student of the Year 2014, sponsored by Expansys: Jennifer Swan, Leicester College
Level 3 Student of the Year 2014, sponsored by Expansys: Bethany Taylor, Warwickshire College
Business Enterprise Manager of the Year 2014, sponsored by Grant Thornton: Irene Brew-Riverson, Westminster Kingsway College
Enterprise Tutor of the Year 2014, sponsored by Jessops: Julie Newitt, Leicester College
Inspirational Student of the Year 2014, sponsored by Canon: Jessica Dixon, Warrington Collegiate
Personal Professional Development of the Year 2014, sponsored by Red Letter Days: Team KoneKT, Amersham & Wycombe College
National Entrepreneur of the Year 2014, sponsored by Softcat: David Humpston, Amersham & Wycombe College
National Entrepreneur of the Year 2014, Highly Commended, sponsored by Softcat: Sonya Kumar, Westminster Kingsway College