Uxbridge College students made up one of three teams from Colleges from across England selected to showcase the successes of their enterprise societies at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to Government Ministers and Civil Servants. The visit was organised by the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE).

The students embraced the opportunity to showcase their societies’ achievements – as supported through the Innovation Fund. It was also a fantastic opportunity to network with a variety of policy makers, including the Secretary of State, Rt. Hon Vince Cable, who took time out of his busy schedule to speak with the students.

The three college societies showcased: 'Frock and Roll' from Uxbridge College - Production Arts students have launched their vintage styling company to gain real industry experience and put their skills learnt as part of their course into action.

'Xpress Yourself' from Chichester College - they have five curriculum-based companies within their society, including their digital media company Cee Cee Productions.

'The Reclaimers' from Stockport College: Carpentry and Joinery students launched a company using the Innovation Fund. They have been refashioning waste wood into items for sale, such as doorstops, bird boxes and chopping boards.

Sharon McCann, Citizenship & Volunteering Activities Co-ordinator at Uxbridge College, said: “It was a real privilege for Uxbridge College to be among the six enterprise societies to attend this event out of the 200 at universities and colleges nationally. It also gave us a great opportunity to showcase some of our successful and wide-ranging enterprise work at a national level. Abigail Lewin and Katrina Locke from Frock & Roll were fantastic ambassadors for the College, meeting some of the country’s most senior business policy makers, including the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and the Department’s lead on school and college enterprise activity, Robert Canniff.”