Hyundai Brand Ambassador hands over winning trophy to Magneat – a business team formed and run by pupils from Holmer Green Senior School, High Wycombe

Magneat awarded title of Best Business Enterprise for their ‘Dash Mat’ – a dashboard tidy for cars This award is part of Hyundai’s pan-European Skills for the Future initiative in collaboration with Youth Enterprise, which aims to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in today’s highly competitive job market

High Wycombe--May 02, 2014: The winners of Hyundai’s second ‘Best Business Enterprise’ award received an additional surprise when they were presented with their trophy by 2012 Summer Olympics Gold Medal winner and Hyundai Brand Ambassador, Nicola Adams MBE. The boxer made a special appearance at the Hyundai Training Academy in High Wycombe, where she also spent time talking to the young people and answering their questions on boxing, life and her famous victories at the London Games.

The winning team was Magneat, formed and run by 13 pupils from Holmer Green Senior School in Buckinghamshire. The team developed and brought to market a dashboard tidy that uses friction bubbles to securely hold possessions such as mobile phones or wallets on the car’s fascia, reducing driver distraction. Having seen off stiff competition from five other teams, Magneat and runners-up Fun Learning 4 U (The Highcrest Academy) will travel to Frankfurt, Germany to participate in the European Skills for the Future competition.

Nicola Adams commented: “I was really happy to share in a day that celebrates the success and accomplishment of young people, and I was really impressed by what they have all managed to accomplish during this process. I know I couldn’t have presented to Board Members of a major multi-national company when I was their age full stop let alone do it with so much confidence!”

The members of Magneat overcame a number of challenges to bring their product to market, including changing supplier. The team’s marketing and advertising activities included a radio interview and adverts, as well as social media activation including Twitter. They have sold their ‘dashboard tidy’ at four events and the team says it will continue to sell at further events in June.

Tony Whitehorn, CEO of Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “I was very impressed by the creativity, determination and business savvy shown by all teams contesting the second Hyundai Best Business Enterprise competition. What struck me most was the degree to which social media and digital platforms were used in the teams’ marketing communications. It’s exciting and encouraging to see the huge potential of young people being realised through Hyundai’s Skills for the Future initiative.”

Charlotte Arpino James, Managing Director of Magneat, said: “We have learnt so much from Best Business Enterprise, especially about how to motivate each other and communicate effectively.” The team’s Operations Deputy Manager, Maddie Hanson, added: “I think the biggest lessons we’ve learned are about the importance of teamwork and self-belief.”

The Best Business Enterprise award is part of Skills for the Future, a collaboration programme between Hyundai and Young Enterprise that aims to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in today’s highly competitive job market.