Claire Young was the Guest of Honour at this year’s Big Challenge Awards. Her obvious passion for both entrepreneurship as well as lifting aspirations of young people touched a chord amongst the guests. She delivered an interesting speech with verve and humour. She is capable of thinking on her feet and played a large part in making the evening a huge success.
David Grey MBE, OSL Group Managing Director : BIG CHALLENGE Awards Sheffield
The SSAT wanted to work with Claire knowing that her energetic, motivating style, passion for working with young people and down-to-earth approach would enthuse students and build confidence. During the GO GLOBAL enterprise campaign Claire expertly used her experience as an entrepreneur and practical activity to get a wide range of students thinking about how entrepreneurial skills can support their success and enable them to make a difference to others.
Angelina Adams, Special Schools Academy Trust
I attended Claire Young's presentation on her experiences in the Apprentice programme at the Circle Breakfast Club at The Deco Northampton. What an eye-opener! Clare is such a down-to-earth person who is well able to communicate the awesomely tough realities of taking part in The Apprentice. Her experiences and tips for life generally in the business fast lane were also provocative and entertaining. Highly recommended!
Ed Hunt Circle Breakfast Club (for business people, students and professionals)
The Princes Trust Ambassadors are a key part of our organisation in spreading the word about the great way in which we help young people and promoting the charity. Claire’s passion, drive and willingness to help is always noted. She is a wonderful role model to the younger generation.
Annie Lycett Head of Ambassadors, The Prince’s Trust
Amway UK chose to work with Claire as their first UK Business Ambassador due to her straight talking and transparent nature. Truly flexible and dedicated to her role with us, it is a pleasure to work with her.
Sheryl Franklin-Worth Corporate Affairs Manager Amway UK
Claire, you are a dynamo and your energy infused with your after-dinner talk, which was, quite simply, excellent. the buzz in the room, the number of people who came up to me and have emailed to say how much they enjoyed your presentation, all point to the success of the evening. You are a breath of fresh air, inspirational and a delight to work with. We recommend you.
FSB Federation of Small Businesses
Claire is an extremely inspirational speaker. Not only did the students admire her for her tenacity, the corporates were also very impressed by her story and delivery of the presentation. I am sure Claire will be back to Aston University, as she is a great role model for all our students. We look forward to having such a great character back.
Aston Bright Futures
Claire Young set the Challenge and was head judge at the Marketing Challenge 2009 at Royal Holloway, University of London. Claire was absolutely brilliant, making time to talk to all the students and posing for photos with them. She is an accomplished speaker, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.
Royal Holloway, University of London
The University of Northampton was delighted to welcome Claire Young to speak to our Business School students, staff and alumni. She provided us with an entertaining, motivating and inspiring talk and students were thrilled that they were able to speak to her after about her top tips for entrepreneurship and starting your own business. We would like to work with Claire again on future events at the University.
University of Northampton
Initially I saw Claire speaking at an event I attended and felt instantly that she would be a great motivational keynote speaker for Gateshead Councils ‘Not all dragon’s bite programme’. Claire delivered an inspiring presentation that demonstrated drive, ambition and above all honesty regarding not only her time on the TV show ‘The Apprentice’ but also the journey she had gone through to set up her business ‘Elegant Venues’. The aim of the evening was to celebrate enterprise and to build vital networks, Claire supported this greatly by taking the time to meet with many of the project participants providing invaluable advice and guidance with such energy and enthusiasm which will greatly support them through their individual enterprise journey. A number of evaluations from the evening showed the impact Claire had on the audience with comments including ‘inspiring’, ‘innovative’, ‘motivational’ appearing time and time again. Claire played an invaluable role in making the event a success and I personally would like to thank Claire and wish her all the very best for what I am sure will be a very successful future ahead.
Economic Development Officer, Development & Enterprise, Gateshead Council
As an old girl Claire represents the Girls School Association core values perfectly; treat people with respect, learn to take a risk, work hard, have the confidence to be a leader and not a follower, have a clear sense of self and most importantly enjoy life. We’re proud to see the work she does with young people, helping to shape tomorrow’s generation.
Shelia Cooper, Girls School Association.
We were so thrilled when Claire accepted our invitation to be Guest Speaker at the 1230 Any Other Business? Conference 2010 and we were not disappointed! Claire’s enthusiasm, energy and genuine passion held the audience captive and the one word which has come back to us so many times about Claire, both at the event and since is “INSPIRATIONAL!”. So a huge THANK YOU! Claire for helping make 1230 Any Other Business? Conference 2010 the success it was. We will watch you blaze a trail across the UK with the passion you have in helping young girls to recognise their own worth and be so proud to know you. We wish you the very best in all that you do and please don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.
Ladies 12:30 National Networking Group
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, Peter Jones Foundation
A great young business woman; best example of Apprentice to Entrepreneur.
Lord Alan Sugar
Claire Young brought a great deal of expertise, enthusiasm and energy to our event. Students drew inspiration from her experiences in the business world and she was an expert mentor, relating to the students in a friendly, professional manner and motivating them towards higher levels of achievement.
Coca Cola
Claire was an inspiration to our audience of young people, her speech was witty and engaging and applauded by business guests, teachers and students alike. We particluarly loved the way she advocated grasping every opportunity that comes your way and encouraged the enterprising students of Blackpool to adopt an ethos of self-belief and risk taking. We would and in fact have had no hesitation in inviting Claire back to work with more of our learners in the future. Positive young women role models are exactly what we need more of!
Enterprise Development Manager, HERO Project
The National Apprenticeship Service are delighted to have Claire on board heading up YAN – Young Apprentice Ambassador Network. Her vision, drive and passion to help people develop, succeed and personally develop is second to none. She’s an inspiration to all!
Sally Askew Marketing and Events National Apprenticeship Service
As Claire is one of the UK’s top young female entrepreneurs, the GDST are thrilled to be working with her on enterprise initiatives for our students, such as our annual Young Leaders Conference. She is a wonderful role model, showing what can be achieved if you work hard, take a risk and are willing to give things a go!
Kieron Smith Girls' Day School Trust
Claire has been a fantastic Ambassador for UK Youth since early 2010. She has consistently engaged, supported and promoted our work and brings real added value through her excellent networking ability as well as her genuine and active involvement in our work, events and activities. To Claire being an Ambassador is a real and tangible commitment that involves taking part in events and helping us promote and fundraise whenever she can. It is clear to us that she really believes in our work and we feel that she is an inspirational Ambassador to the charity itself and more importantly to the young people we work with.
Jo Birch-Phaure, Communications, Marketing & Business Development Officer UK YOUTH
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, Headteachers and Industry
Claire came to talk at the launch of the My Life is My Business programme. The young people were captivated and inspired by her story. Claire is a great ambassador for those who aspire to be more than they currently are. Thank you
Chris Midgley, My Life is My Business: Entrepreneurship Co-ordinator
Claire gave an inspiring and upbeat presentation at our business networking event, as a result we've received positive feedback from delegates.
Kettering Business Breakfast Group
Claire is the perfect spokesperson for Xface – a Microsoft Surface Premium Partner. Vibrant, dynamic, and ‘go getting’ – her down to earth approach means that she always relates to a wide audience; engaging with young people, teachers as well as the business world. As one of the UK’s well known young successful businesswomen her personal endorsement is of great value to us. She is passionate about young people and Xface share her vision to make things happen!
Microsoft Xface CEO
Claire's presentation at Networking Direct in Leeds was dynamic, to the point, inspiring and motivational which matches Claire's own character. The presentation was very topical during National Entrepreneur week which focussed on Claire's drive and motivation to succeed pre-during and post "The Apprentice" with tips on starting a business during a recession and surviving to a room full of local SME business people. Claire captured the audience who engaged from the first minute to the last with the only down point being that the presentation had to end. There is no question of doubt from anyone who saw Claire speak that she will make a huge success of "Elegant Venues" who specialise in exclusive wedding venues that Claire established after leaving The Apprentice. If you need a genuine "just do it" speaker then I urge you to acquire the services of Claire Young who will add value at the same time motivate and inspire your audience at any event
Jason Archdale MD-Networking Direct
Claire is a powerhouse of entrepreneurial spirit! The UK needs more female entrepreneurs and she’s is flying the flag high for them.
John May CEO Young Enterprise
We appreciated Claire's straight talking approach to aspiration and achievement and her ability to engage with young people at two of our national events during 2010/11. Her enthusiasm for what she does is fantastic, an inspiration to all!
James McCreary President Career Academies
I attended Claire Young's presentation on her experiences in the Apprentice programme at the Circle Breakfast Club at The Deco Northampton. What an eye-opener! Clare is such a down-to-earth person who is well able to communicate the awesomely tough realities of taking part in The Apprentice. Her experiences and tips for life generally in the business fast lane were also provocative and entertaining. Highly recommended!
Ed Hunt Circle Breakfast Club (for business people, students and professionals)
We were delighted to invite Claire Young as our keynote speaker for 'Inspiring Women' staff CPD event. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed her presentation which was packed full of information, enthusiasm and passion for her ventures. Her delivery style is down to earth, engaging and she relates well to her audience. She has a great sense of humour and made us all laugh. Thank you again!
Caroline Wilson - Engagement & Community Relations Manager - East Coast Trains
Claire, I must say I don't know where you get all your energy from. To be working full on and into the night yesterday (and the night before) and then up so early to be going again today. You really are a real inspiration, even to us oldies :-)
National Apprenticeship Awards
Claire provided a very strong presentation which was both entertaining and informative at the Monster Career Fairs in Birmingham and Manchester. Most of the feedback from the fairs was regarding the presentations and many of the visitors to the fair gave their most feedback on Claire's presentation. If you need a motivational speaker who can speak from experience and give advice and guidance in these difficult times on how to get that job, Claire will do a fantastic job.
Head of Communications UK and Ireland – Monster
Claire is an excellent and enthusiastic speaker we wouldn't think twice before booking her again. She was an inspiration for everyone who attended - we've had glowing feedback from all who attended.
Leeds Chamber of Commerce
The UK needs more Claire Youngs! 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, Hero Project North England
Claire Young hosted our regional enterprise conference and delivered an inspiring and engaging speech, as well as taking time to talk with the teachers who attended the event to share her wealth of experience. Her delivery was relevant and entertaining, as well as really useful for the delegates. Claire has also taken the time to help run our regional Futuristic Fashion Retail Challenge in conjunction with Meadowhall Shopping Centre where she will be delivering enterprise workshops to students from South Yorkshire. We would like to thank her for all of the fantastic efforts she has put in to make it all a great success!
Enterprise Village Yorkshire