Wetherspoons founder hosts second business talk
Plymouth College’s Entrepreneurial Society has continued its programme of top-class speakers with a visit by Wetherspoons founder and MD, Tim Martin.
The business leader talked about how he built up the pub chain, which now has more than 920 outlets in Britain, and how he has a rolling schedule of pub visits to meet staff and customers.
He was impressed by the calibre of questions put to him in the Q and A session, including how the company got its name? (a combination of an old school teacher and a character from the Dukes of Hazzard), his leadership style? (don’t rule by fear) and does he get free pints? (no!).
The Entrepreneurial Society was launched earlier this term offering a diverse range of speakers to help bring business and economics alive for students in a drive to promote enterprise and leadership in young people. The first guest was Reggae Reggae Sauce creator, Levi Roots. Still to come are:
- Gary Streeter, MP (28 November 2014)
- Chris Dawson, entrepreneur and founder of The Range (27 January 2015)
- James Brent, Chairman Plymouth Argyle (19 February 2015)
- Neil Stallard, MD Alpha Logic (6 March 2015)
- Tim Slade, founder Fat Face (date TBC)
The talks take place at lunchtimes, each one finishing with a Q&A session. As well as Plymouth College students, the talks are open to other local schools. For more information and to book places, please contact Aaron Summons by email asummons@plymouth-college.co.uk
“It was a real pleasure having someone as successful as Tim Martin come and talk to the students”, said business teacher, Aaron Summons. “The information both he and Levi have shared about good business practice is really underpinning what the students are learning in the classroom and will help them enormously in their practical projects later in the year.”
Other initiatives for Plymouth College students under the Entrepreneurial Society banner will include a Year 10 Enterprise Challenge in conjunction with Burts Chips and a Sixth Form project with Wrigley’s.