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Peter Jones Academy:

Entrepreneurs Are Not Born, They're Made

When youre one of the most recognisable faces on television, it would be easy to rest on your laurels. But having seen tremendous personal success, Peter Jones has now turned his hand to helping the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Peter Jones could be described as the ultimate businessman. He has started from the bottom and has since seen his fortunes rise, fall and then rise again, until it stands at an estimated NET worth of 220 million according to the Sunday Times Rich List. You hear a lot about his success, for which there is, unquestionably, a lot. Earlier this year he bought failing camera retailer brand Jessops, has returned to our screens as one of the formidable Dragons on BBCs Dragons Den where everyone can remember the success of one of its former exports, Levi Roots and his Reggae Reggae sauce, thanks to a little help from Mr Peter Jones.

16 rmbusiness.co.uk

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But it hasnt always been plain sailing for the 6 foot 7 inch business giant. He has always been aware of his skills, and by the age of 16 he had set up his own tennis academy exploiting his passion of sport and economics. Peter explains; I spoke to my English teacher at the time, John Woodward, who also ran a summer tennis school. I thought a job there would be brilliant as it would be for the whole summer and every half term. Over a few years of doing this I watched how John ran his academy and learnt the mechanics of the business behind it. Eventually, I got to the point where I thought I could do it myself, so thats what I did. After completing the Lawn Tennis Associations coaching exams, I set up my own tennis coaching school. By the time he was just 22 Peter Jones was living the dream. He was the proud owner of a BMW and a Porsche. But that was before his computer business unravelled during the recession in the 1990s, alongside a bar he had opened based on the hit 1988 Tom Cruise film, Cocktail. The reason I lost the business was naivety, explains Jones, a sentence that would stick in any businessmans throat. But this was before Peter had his first real brainwave and became a specialist distributor in mobile phones, earning him his first million pounds. Within its first year of trading, the groups turnover was 14 million, which grew to 44 million in just its second year. Unsurprisingly, Phones International Group was named as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. And its hard to believe that it was all the way back in 2005 when Dragons Den started, the show that made Peter a household name as one of the original Dragons. This and the ITV show Tycoon may be where Peters real passion of discovering and nurturing young entrepreneurs began. And this may have been the inspiration behind The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. Peter wholly credits his success to John, his English teacher at school, and describes him as the perfect mentor, explaining that as a young adult, you need structure and support for your ideas to really be successful. If they decide they dont want to be self-employed, the skills they learn mean they are very successful candidates for places at good universities or for sought-after jobs with high profile companies. Havering wanted to be involved because it gives the students a good role model in Peter Jones he promotes the fact that you dont have to rely on other people giving you a job because the opportunities are there for you to go and create your own jobs. So the primary difference is that it teaches young people so much more than they would learn statically in a classroom this is much more practical and hands on type of learning. So instead of just learning the theory of being innovative and how to push for business growth, and to start their own business, they actually have to do that in order to get the qualification. The college is also a part of the Peter Jones Academy network, where every year there is a presentation ceremony. This year it was in Birmingham and Peter Jones himself was there to congratulate all of the graduates from around the country. And because of him there is lots of national company participation - not to mention national competitions for entrepreneur of the year. They are supported by people like Subway and Alfa Romeo, so it is a big deal and very exciting for the graduates as it means that the students have a chance to succeed not just locally, but to pit themselves against national talent too. It makes them look outside Havering and it raises their profile too.

Eventually, I got to the point where I thought I could do it myself, so thats what I did. After completing the Lawn Tennis Associations coaching exams, I set up my own tennis coaching school.
Sally also informed us that Havering College offer the level three and level five apprenticeships in Innovation and Growth for people who are employed but who think outside of the box, who want to be more than just paper-pushers, who want to contribute to pushing the business forward and to be part of making it a success. So can entrepreneurs really be taught or are they made? Peter Jones himself has stated that Everybody has got it in them to be innovative and motivated. A true entrepreneur is defined as someone who makes things happen and takes charge. As the face of the Peter Jones Foundation and the Enterprise Academy, it is clear that he knows what he is talking about. So what will this course really mean for Havering? Well without doubt it will develop young peoples motivation, personal skills and communication meaning that whether they become entrepreneurs or new members of an existing work force, they will be a very valuable addition for having the courage to step away from the study books and apply their knowledge All from a man who has made business work. Level 2 and 3 BTEC qualifications are full time and free to 16-19 year olds Level 3 and level 5 apprenticeships are open to everybody in employment free to under 19s BTEC level 2 and 3 industry recognised qualification Course duration one year A-Levels are still two! Courses run Apprenticeship starts available in September, January, May Full time Sept July usual academic year. 17

The big idea behind the academy is that Entrepreneurs are not born, theyre made. A bold statement indeed, but Peter has never been one to shy away and since its inception in 2009, the 16 -19 year old students havent either The academy has been a huge success. Havering College is about to be the latest in a long line to form a partnership with the academy. They have explained that one of the objectives of pulling the Peter Jones Academy in, was to raise the aspirations of Haverings young people in an area that already has a strong tradition of self-employment. And with the economic climate as it is, its not easy for young people to just leave college and walk into a job. So the college want to give them the best possible opportunity they can, by encouraging the students to be economically active, by giving them the skills and support to do that and by using the experience to help them to develop the skills that people want in the workplace. Sally MacPherson - the colleges Assistant Principal for Enterprise explained that they wanted the partnership as they have seen first-hand in other colleges the positive effect the academy can have on young people. The Peter Jones Academy works to develop the confidence and ambitions of young people, and shows them that you dont necessarily have to take a job you could MAKE a job. It gives them the skills and confidence to succeed whether running their own business or working for someone else.

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