Guild cash boost for enterprise charity

The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York has a proud history dating back to the 14th Century, when the city’s business leaders first joined together to pool their experience, trade with each other, care for the poor and to pray.

Today members no longer trade as a corporate entity under the banner of the Merchant Adventurers but, in the spirit of the founding fathers who once travelled the world to open new trade routes, the organisation has confirmed new investment in Young Enterprise in North Yorkshire.

The charity, which works in classrooms to introduce young people to the cut and thrust of the business world, marks its own 50th anniversary this year.

Thanks to the support offered by the Merchant Adventurers, North Yorkshire Young Enterprise manager, Jill Tinsley, has confirmed 
28 schools will be taking part in the 2012/2013 Company Programme.

She said: “Programmes like the BBC’s Young Apprentice have helped switch more young people onto the idea of running their own business when they leave education – but the support from the Merchant Adventurers has certainly given us the opportunity to engage with more of them than ever before.”

Members of the organisation have also volunteered as business mentors in the past.