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March 27, 2012, 11:32 am -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- Five young Chester business students have triumphed in an
Apprentice-style challenge set by a local motor company, ACF Car
Finance Limited.
The group, aged 16 and over, beat two other teams of fellow-students with their
ideas to create a new business which could clean-up in the local car valeting
market.
All 15 youngsters from West Cheshire College, who are studying for a business
diploma, were taking part in the "Outstanding Business Student Award" organised by
ACF Car Finance.
Now in its third year, the scheme aims to bring out the students' entrepreneurial
skills by asking them to research, set up and profitably manage a fantasy business
based in Chester.
This year's theme was car valeting - and it was the polished ideas put forward by
the group calling themselves "Finishing Touch" which shone most brightly among the
judges.
All five members of the group were awarded a Kindle eReader, while others taking
part in the competition each received a £15.00 gift card to spend in a computer
store.
As part of their research earlier this year, the 15 students spent a day behind the
scenes at the headquarters of ACF Car Finance on Chester Business Park.
They were shown the realities of running a successful business, and the type of
tough decisions they would have to make in areas such as investing in equipment,
health and safety, and marketing.
Their plans were presented in a board room play-off at ACF Car Finance to a judging
panel led by a course tutor from West Cheshire College, and company boss David
Challinor:
"It was a really hard decision as all three groups displayed great flair," said Mr
Challinor who is Managing Director of The Funding Corporation, parent company of ACF
Car Finance.
"But in the end, the Finishing Touch youngsters gave a very confident presentation,
and provided well thought-out answers to all the questions which could have tripped
them up.
"Although this was a theoretical test of their business skills, I feel confident
they could have easily won financial backing if we had been a real panel of
Dragons," added Mr Challinor.
In addition to their prizes, two outstanding students among the fifteen - Richard
Fleming and Yonia Gonzalez-Torres - were offered work experience at the company as
part of their college course.
The five Finishing Touch winners were Josh McClure, Richard Fleming, Fatma Gonen,
Sophie Parker and Agata Dabkowska.
- Ends -
About ACF Car Finance
ACF Car Finance Limited (www.acfcarfinance.co.uk) is Britain's leading supplier of high-quality used cars to people whose credit status might otherwise prevent them from obtaining vehicle finance. ACF Car Finance has earned a strong reputation within the finance and motor industry for its standards of customer care, and the quality of the friendly, professional advice provided by members of its fully-trained team.
ACF Car Finance Limited. Registered in England number 4757280. Registered office address: International House, Kingsfield Court, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9RF.
For further information about this piece, contact:
Jane Whittle
Marketing Manager
The Funding Corporation
01244 625 683
jane.whittle@thefundingcorporation.com
