Young Farmers Club Competition
Wales YFC Rural Enterprise Programme
Wales YFC have developed a new partnership with Big Ideas Wales, part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales programme, which has resulted in a newly developed business programme. Wales YFC’s Rural Enterprise Programme was launched at Wales YFC’s Annual General Meeting.
Similar to the previous business of the year award, Wales YFC members and associates up to the age of 30 are able to showcase their business skills with this year’s business of the year award. Closing date for entries are 13th November and interviews are to follow on the 20th November. Winners and prizes will be announced at the 2017 Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
As a well as the award the programme offers support to members with; workshops to get inspired and explore key business skills, the opportunity to develop business skills at a business boot camp, one to one sessions with Big Ideas Wales advisors and the ability to network with Young entrepreneurs and business Role Models to learn what it means to run a business, all provided by Big Ideas Wales.
For more information contact elin.williams@yfc-wales.org.uk or call the office on 01982 553502.
*Although the entry deadline has passed, keep up to date with YFC by following them on Social Media: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out the Big Ideas Wales routemap if you are interested in finding out more about starting a business*
2016 winner was Frances Jones from Llanbadarn Fynydd:
WALES YFC MASTERCHEF WINS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Once again Wales YFC is pleased to work alongside NatWest in seeking out young entrepreneurial members to compete in the hotly contested NatWest Business of the year competition. The winner of this year’s competition is Frances Jones, a member of Presteigne YFC in Radnor.
Frances is the owner and proprietor of ‘Frances Jones Catering’. Frances was presented with a prize of £1000 during the first day of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
The award not only seeks to reward young people who are making their own way in business but also provides one to one mentoring support kindly provided by NatWest such as marketing, business planning and budgeting support for the young entrepreneurs.
The panel of judges, Mr Andrew Woodthorpe, NatWest Director of Rural Banking, Mr Steve Maggs of Business Wales and Tom Bevan a past winner of the award, were very impressed with the standard of entries and the drive and enthusiasm portrayed by Wales YFC members.
Frances has grown her business over the past four years and has hopes to expand the business further beginning with the conversion of a barn to run the day to day food preparation from. Frances prides herself on using locally sourced ingredients and enjoys providing high quality food for a range of events and celebrations.
Having received the good news Frances said;
“I'm overwhelmed to have won the award and will take full advantage of the consultancy support provided by NatWest to develop my business along with the prize money which will help me to develop my service to current and future customers.”
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Mr Andrew Woodthorpe stated;
“We were very impressed with Frances’ drive and passion for her business. She has worked hard to develop the business and we look forward to seeing ‘Frances Jones Catering’ flourish in the future.”
Speaking on behalf of Wales YFC, Morys Ioan said;
“We are very pleased with the high number and high standard of entries this year. Frances is a very worthy winner and an outstanding ambassador for the Welsh Food and Drink industry. Wales YFC would particularly like to thank NatWest for their dedication to support young rural entrepreneurs.”