Entrepreneur snaps up top opportunity

Oldham College student Gemma Rothwell who is one of six finalists in the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016.

A SNAP happy Oldham College student has been chosen as one of the UK's top six young entrepreneurs going head-to-head in a boardroom competition for the annual National Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 award.

Gemma Rothwell (22) is one of six Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students who will pitch to Peter Jones CBE and a high-profile panel of judges at the Dragons' Den star's headquarters in an effort to scoop the country's highest accolade for young entrepreneurs and £5,000 worth of investment.

Gemma, from Shaw, will face tough questioning from the judging panel as she presents her business idea on Wednesday, June 1.

The panel will include Jamie Burke, sales director at Softcat; Michael Hayman MBE, co-founder of Seven Hills; Neil Old, chief operating officer of Jessops; and Sarah Bell, Grant Thornton partner.

The overall winner will be announced later in the summer at the Peter Jones Enterprise Annual Graduation ceremony and will also become a 2016 ambassador for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.

Gemma is the proud owner of the mobile photography business Gem Photography.

Her business offers families a natural-looking collection of photos which they would be proud to hang on their walls.

She believes in natural beauty, so doesn't use airbrushing techniques.

She said: "I'm honoured to be a National Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.

"It's been an amazing opportunity to build on the skills I've learnt during the Oldham College programme and I'm very excited for the final challenge that lies ahead - including the opportunity to meet Peter Jones and his panel of judges.

"Since studying photography for six years, I found I wanted to have a mobile studio because it can make people feel more relaxed being at home rather than going to a professional studio, it also makes me unique as there are no other companies, in the Oldham area, which solely concentrate on mobile photo shoots."

Shazia Afzal, Oldham College business enterprise and career academies manager, said: "I'm thrilled to hear that Gemma is through to the final.

"We are proud to teach and develop such amazing students who are motivated to learn and driven by success.

"We work closely with employers to give our learners real life experiences of what it is like to be an entrepreneur.

"Everyone is very proud and excited to see how the project fares under the scrutiny of Peter and his co-panelists!"

Peter Jones CBE, who made his fortune int he telecoms industry, said: "I am really excited about bringing together my top six young entrepreneurs from across the country and hearing more about their businesses.

"Every year I am more and more impressed by the creative ideas, confidence and passion of the candidates and I'm so proud to be a part of their journey.

"I wish the students the best of luck and am looking forward to meeting them in the boardroom!"