As we get set for the start of the 2011/12 YES Company Programme I am delighted to be taking over the reins as Chair of the Lothian Area Board. The programme has seen a transformation under the watchful eye of my predecessor Neil Archibald and I would like to say a very big thank you to him for his tireless work, both at local and a national level. Neil has left some very big shoes to fill (figuratively and literally!) but I am extremely fortunate to have a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers on the Lothian board who are passionate about making the company programme an even greater learning experience for the students who take part.

Although I only recently joined the Lothian board, I have been a long term advocate of the YES company programme since participating in it at school some 18 years ago. The programme has had a huge impact on my career and I firmly believe the skills I leant during my fifth and sixth years have played a big part in the professional successes I’ve enjoyed to date. Indeed, research carried out by Young Enterprise showed that those who take part in the company programme go on to earn better salaries, have a more rounded set of skills, are happier in their jobs and are able to make a better-informed choice of career than their peers. For more information on this research click here – http://www.company-programme.org.uk/res/resources/AlumniEvaluation.pdf.

We have a very full and exciting programme ahead, starting with our first training event on Monday 12th September at the Business Gateway Centre on Haymarket Terrace in Edinburgh. Attending the training sessions will give you a massive head start as you set up your companies. It would be great to see all schools represented so I hope we’ll see you there. Good luck for the year ahead!