Claire Young

Appprentice to Entrepreneur, Champion for Youth Enterprise


Click here and here and here to see videos of Claire in action.

Claire Young, 33, is the straight talking, no-nonsense business woman who is well known for reaching the final of series 4 of BBC1’s The Apprentice (2008) watched by over 11 million viewers.

Since then she has worked non-stop setting up numerous business ventures including www.schoolspeakers.co.uk and www.girlsoutloud.org.uk. She is passionate about promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise to our younger generation and founded TeenBiz www.teenbiz.org.uk the UK’s first business start-up scheme for under 18s.
 
Claire now speaks in schools 2-3 times a week across all different age groups, primary and secondary, and skill levels. Claire runs a one day business enterprise masterclass 'TeenBiz' covering sales, marketing, business start up, role models and presentation skills. She actively encourages students to work in teams and really think about their USP - unique selling point!

Claire supports the National Apprenticeship Service by heading up their Young Ambassador Network and works in partnership with the Peter Jones Foundation supporting Tenner Tycoon and Global Entrepreneurship Week. Recently she met with the Prime Minister for roundtable talks and has been invited to join the House of Lords Youth Unemployment taskforce. Claire was nominated for the Queen's Enterprise Award 2011 and is also delighted to represent the UK in The European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors. She is the Honorary President of Young Chamber UK.
 

Claire speaks giving serious life lessons from The Apprentice. Her key messages are hard work, passion and drive will take you a long way. JDI - Just Do It!
 

Testimonials

“Claire’s energetic and insightful contribution to the conference ensured the girls were able to see a successful and determined business woman in action. The experience and knowledge gained from listening and speaking to Claire was truly inspirational and helped our students enormously throughout the conference. Claire’s support of our leadership and business skills development programs will help prepare our girls for the future challenges of working life within a modern and ever changing economy.” Helen Fraser, Chief Executive, Girls’ Day School Trust

"Claire is a whirlwind of entrepreneurial energy! Her ethos JDI – Just Do It – mirrors what the Peter Jones Foundation is all about; that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.  She’s a big hit with our student, weaving serious business lessons with a practical down to earth approach. On a personal note, it’s a pleasure to work with Claire, always a true professional and she always gives her 110%".  Peter Jones, Entrepreneur, Peter Jones Foundation

"The UK needs more Claire Young’s! She’s driven, dynamic and most importantly doesn’t beat around the bush – she gets things done and achieves results. With a strong sense of integrity, what you see is what you get. Our young people have been blown away by her enterprising know how and there is no doubt she is shaping some of tomorrow’s entrepreneurs". Nicola Hall, Chief Executive, Hero Project North England

"HTI are thrilled to be working in partnership with Claire. Our main student campaign Go4It is all about students having new ideas, pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and just having a go. We feel Claire's 'can do' attitude, energy and hands on approach fits perfectly with our ethos". Anne Evans, CEO Heads, Teachers and Industry

"Your talk has inspired and motivated so many! We received fantastic feedback and we will definitely be in touch again." Jennifer Spendlove, Head of Business Development, Learning Unlimited Apprenticeship Provider

"Claire is truly inspirational and the feedback from the students has been great! Her passion for young enterprise has clearly rubbed off on the group already with many of them aspiring to work even harder in order to get to where they want to be". Steve Newman, South Essex College

"We loved Claire. She was inspirational, motivational yet realistic. She spoke to the girls on a level that they could relate to. It was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by the students they went away thoroughly enthused and energised would recommend her to any other school." Jo Marsden, Redland High School for Girls" 

"I would just like to say a big thank you for running your enterprise Bootcamp with our Year 10 students last week. The students benefitted greatly from the session and I have lots of really positive comments from them saying how much they enjoyed themselves. I hope that you enjoyed the day as much as we did and look forward to possibly working with you again in the future." Rachel Edwards, Brislington Enterprise College 

"Thank you very much for today it was absolutely brilliant. I am getting so much feedback from students and staff!! I loved every minute, the amount of students who have spoke to me already and said how inspiring you were – really made my week!" Craig Walton, ACCTL L4L, Minsthorpe Community College

‘Informative and interesting presentation. Clearly enjoyed the format of the day, had read brief of applicants and as lead judge was incisive and helpful as part of the questioning of presenters on the day and in judging winners of the competition (which was in a Dragons' Den type format).’ UK Trade and Investment