Furthering skills in TOK and enterprise at an evening with Vince Cable

Earlier in the year, Westminster Academy Year 11 and 12 students secured an exclusive opportunity to attend an evening with the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP.

The evening was hosted at Norton Rose, where students were taken to the top floor of the More London development beforehand for an impressive view of the Thames. The event itself was for leading entrepreneurs and business leaders, but WA was lucky enough to be invited to attend by community organisation, the Patchwork Foundation.  It began with an interview with Lord Rumi Verjee CBE, founder of Domino’s Pizza in the UK. Lord Verjee gave a fascinating insight into his experiences as a highly successful entrepreneur, after arriving in the UK as an immigrant twenty years ago.  Endorsing the importance of grit, Lord Verjee’s advice to students was ‘Don’t give up when you have setbacks’.

There followed an opportunity for questions with David Sheepshanks CBE DL and Usha Prashar CBE from Community Foundations and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable MP. This was a great chance for students interested in a career in politics to probe into this profession and confront issues affecting young people, such as the decision between university or apprenticeships.

The organisers were extremely impressed with the attitude and questions asked by WA students. Vince Cable said; “Students from Westminster Academy displayed great confidence and business understanding at tonight’s event and I hope this will inspire a new generation of young people to consider a career in entrepreneurship.” Students found the evening enjoyable and inspiring, as well as an excellent contribution to their studies in TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and business.