Making an impact

Deloitte hosted its second TMT Predictions Schools Challenge at its London head office on Thursday 12 March. Seven Deloitte Access schools from across the UK competed for a place in the final, which included Gateshead-based Cardinal Hume Catholic School. The final teams presented their new business ideas to an influential judging panel, based on key themes from Deloitte’s 14th annual TMT Predictions research.

The TMT Predictions School Challenge is one of a range of opportunities available to the 14 schools that take part in the Deloitte Access programme. The programme, delivered in collaboration with Teach First, is designed to raise aspiration, support achievement and provide opportunities for students in low-income communities. Deloitte Access aims to improve social mobility and support a fairer society by encouraging young people from under-represented groups to be ambitious, supporting them to develop the skills and giving them the opportunities they need to access professional careers at companies like Deloitte.

The four teams who took part in the grand final were from schools in Belfast, Milton Keynes, London and Gateshead. The challenge saw each team present their entrepreneurial and innovative business idea in response to the following challenges; create an idea for next year’s top selling smartphone, create a business-to-business use for drones, and create an idea for a new online video channel that has a sustainable revenue source.

The finalists presented their ideas in front of the judging panel from the TMT industry. The team from Cardinal Hume, which included Elvira Morris, Sophie Morris, Kieron Robson and Callum Richards, presented their idea of a wearable smart phone aimed at both the Health and Fitness market to an audience of around 75 professionals from the digital industries.

Stephen Hall, partner at Deloitte in the North East, said: “We are excited to provide an opportunity for these young people to present their innovative ideas to such a respected audience. We created this challenge to help young people gain the appropriate skills and interests to plug the skills gap in the sector by getting exposure to real, live business challenges at an early age. The challenges are based on topics covered in Deloitte’s annual TMT predictions research that is shared with hundreds of clients around the world, many of which are using the predictions research as an input into their business planning. I am delighted for all those involved in the team from Cardinal Hume Catholic School. This really is a fantastic achievement.”

Martin Stobbs, Head of Design at Cardinal Hume Catholic School, said: “The students involved in the TMT Predictions Challenge were fantastic and a credit to the school. The team presented their idea of a wearable smart phone aimed at both the Health and Fitness market to an audience of around 75 professionals from the digital industries. The judging panel consisted of some very high profile experts. I am therefore absolutely delighted for the students who put in a lot of hard work and dedication to be named winners at the event in London.”