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Guernsey students have been given the opportunity to hear Rt Hon Alex Salmond speak on ‘what it takes to be a game-changer’ two weeks after the Scottish referendum is to take place.
The students will be attending the Institute of Directors Annual Convention at the Royal Albert Hall on 3 October and will hear from Scotland’s first minister after the country has voted on whether they want to be classed as independent from the United Kingdom.
The four students - Helena De Carteret and William McVean from The Grammar School, James Lindsay from the College of Further Education and Chloe Page from Ladies’ College - were winners of the Ana Leaf Foundation’s 2013-2014 Directors of Tomorrow initiative.
The initiative saw ten local students, selected by their teachers for their interest in current affairs and business, attend the Guernsey Institute of Directors annual debate. The students were then tasked to write a blog reflecting their experiences and observations during the evening.
The theme this year is ‘Game Changers’ and the convention will provide the students with the opportunity to meet and network with influential figures in the business world.
The students will also get to hear from business leaders such as the chairman of Walt Disney International, the vice president of advertising, Europe, for online entertainment site BuzzFeed and Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia.
Mark Palfrey, chairman of the Guernsey Institute of Directors, said: “In our current economic climate all businesses are aware that they have to continually up their game to win new business and keep themselves current. All those speaking at the event have experienced this within their business environments.
“I for one cannot wait to hear Rt Hon Alex Salmond speak after what will be a hugely significant political event in the calendar for the United Kingdom.”
Hayley de Putron, trustee of the Ana Leaf Foundation, said: “These students are our future island leaders and we have a responsibility to nurture their talents. The local IoD debate is a great platform to engage the students on local issues and the Annual Convention is a rare opportunity to hear from global leaders. I hope they take a lot away from this experience and use it to their advantage in their future studies and, what I’m sure will be, successful careers.”
Once again the initiative will be hosting ten students at Guernsey’s IoD debate, taking place on the 9 October. Politics student George Melhuish, a previous winner of the Directors of Tomorrow scheme now studying politics at Edinburgh University, will be on the debate panel for the evening.
