Edge Upstarts
2007 Award winners
The awards ceremony took place at St James Palace. Geoffrey Robinson MP hosted the ceremony and Ed Miliband MP and HRH The Duke of Kent presented the trophies to the winners. To read the article on the awards ceremony click here.
To listen to the podcast of the ceremony click here.
You can view photos of the award ceremony on flickr.
If you would like photos in a high resolution, please e-mail charlotte@newstatesman.co.uk
YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Tom Savage
www.travelroots.com, www.tiptheplanet.com, www.blueventures.org
At 26 Tom Savage is already a serial social entrepreneur, focusing on creating businesses that have a positive social and environmental impact. After leaving university Tom co-founded Blue Ventures, a social enterprise dedicated to marine conversation, and his passion for eco-tourism. This led him to set up Travel Roots, an eco-tourism travel agency to promote and support other social ventures across the world. In addition to these two projects Tom founded the environmental website Tiptheplanet.com, sits on the board of Young Enterprise London, has been the guest editor on the magazine Trailblazers and works part time on the Make Your Mark campaign.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sital Punja
Sital Punja formed Sari UK Ltd in 2002 with just £500. Sari is a design label that marries high fashion, recycling and international aid. From traditional Indian clothing donated by thousands of Indian women in the UK Sari creates cutting-edge designs. The aim of the company is to provide financial support for children’s charities in developing countries. Sital is also involved in workshops and seminars about social enterprise, has become a role model for Asian women and ambassador for social enterprise as a board member of Social Enterprise London.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR
Belu Water
Belu Water are the first bottled water company that doesn’t contribute to climate change. This would be quite an achievement on its own, except that they have also designed the UK’s first compostable and biodegradable bottle made from corn and they donate all of their profits to clean water projects around the world. If that wasn’t enough Belu has devised the “Penguin Approved” mark to enable shoppers to take account of the climate when making purchases - which they hope will become as familiar as the Fairtrade logo. Manufacturers who go "carbon neutral" can apply for their labels to feature the Penguin Approved logo, which carries the assurance: "No Global Warming".
Highly Commended: Galeri Caernarfon Cyf
www.galericaernarfon.comSOCIAL ENTERPRISE MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Trevor Lynn
www.onesuffolk.co.uk/MowandGrow
Trevor Lynn is the founder of Suffolk based Mow and Grow. The organisation offers a sustainable gardening service, which helps the elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged in the labour market. Trevor has helped inspire, develop and train over thirty volunteers in 2006/7 in aspects of gardening, customer service, health and safety and other practical skills, resulting in over 80 certificates and qualifications. His first two volunteers have already gone on to win £5,000 from the Big Boost to start their own business. Trevor also shares his experience with dozens of other local organisations, including the Oulton Broad Community Enterprise and Arming Hall Parish Council.
Highly commended: Servane Mouazan
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRAINEE OF THE YEAR
Craig Watson
Craig has overcome a disaffected and disadvantaged beginning. Leaving school with no academic achievements he was on route for army selection - one of the few options open to him. At this point he came to Prescot Oasis via Connexions and completed the initial training programme. With extra help in literacy & numeracy, he was put forward for an NVQ level II in horticulture which he passed with a distinction. He has since gone on to pass a ride on mower course with flying colours and is about to start training as a trainee supervisor.
Highly Commended: Sartaj Zazai
EDGE UPSTARTS STARTUP AWARD
Ahmed Al-aagam
Twenty-one year old, Ahmed Al-aagam has lived in Britain for seven years. Within two years of arriving from Yemen he had rapidly learnt Engligh, immersed himself in community projects at school and gained 11 GCSEs. Ahmed is now studying events management at Leeds Metropolitan University and is on the management board of Voluntary Action Sheffield. Whilst at school, Ahmed realised the need for an event solutions provider that understood the needs of community and voluntary projects. In April 2006, Ahmed won a Big Boost Award for £4,000 to form 3E Community Events, which he set up with the specific aim of enhancing neighbourhood and community relations. In the ten months since its inception, 3E is going strong. To date organising 15 events, three times more than its original target.
You can view photos of the award ceremony on flickr.
If you would like photos in a high resolution, please e-mail charlotte@newstatesman.co.uk
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