The Original Edinburgh Apprentice and The Scotch Whisky Experience
12th March 2010

The Scotch Whisky Experience (SWE) and The Original Edinburgh Apprentice have joined forces to offer Edinburgh students the opportunity to gain valuable business experience and raise money for charity partner Barnardos. The entrepreneurial contest for Edinburgh students arranged by the student society iCUE (Innovative Consultancy University of Edinburgh) has grown from strength to strength since its launch in 2006. In a light hearted take on the popular TV series the organizations came together to see how they could raise money for Barnardos, raise the profile of the SWE and raise the bar for the budding entrepreneurs. Winners going through from round 1, sponsored by Apple, were tasked with meeting at the Scotch Whisky Experience where they were given a whirlwind tour to becoming the “1 hour whisky expert”! Armed with 10 entrance tickets to the SWE and their new whisky knowledge they then had 48 hours to use the tickets and all their skills to generate as much revenue as possible for Barnardos. The 6 teams raced around the city centre establishing partnerships with tourism partners, restaurants and hotels, targeting locals, corporate businesses, golfers, tourists and their own student peers, raffling, auctioning and selling. After innovative charity club nights, hotel silent auctions and even an on-air radio mention over £700 was raised to hand over to Barnardos. The winning team Smart Fellas dressed in dapper city slick suits used a variety of tactics and left no stone unturned contributing a massive £272 to the pot. Julie Trevisan Hunter, Marketing Manger of the Scotch Whisky Experience said “We were delighted to participate with ICue in this great project. It was great fun from start to finish, we met some fantastic students who clearly have a bright future ahead of them and they did a fabulous job of promoting the SWE to thousands of people”. Mads Stockwell, Project Organiser for iCUE said “Our aim in this round was to test human capital, innovative thinking, interpersonal skills, and sales. Each team took a different tack and there were definite skills that came to the fore in each group. It is our mission at iCUE to improve the skills, confidence, and business awareness of each and every member, by providing invaluable project experience and our experience with the SWE has certainly met those ends.” Emma Cairns, Barnardo’s Student Programme Officer for Scotland and the North East, said “We are always looking to work on new projects with students from educational institutes in the area, and this group is testament to creating a successful and rewarding event. As well as increasing awareness and funds for Barnardo’s, the students will be able to take away with them a host of skills and experience, which will improve their chances in gaining employment or continuing in to further education.” iCUE Formed in 2003, Innovative Consulting, University of Edinburgh (iCUE) pioneered the Junior Enterprise movement in Scotland, reinforcing the concept of student entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom. As a registered Edinburgh University society, iCUE strives to develop the practical business skills, entrepreneurial spirit and employability of its members by allowing them to perform real world business tasks within a fully operational student company. Barnardo’s Student Programme work in partnership with higher and further educational institutions to promote and co-ordinate activities to raise funds and awareness for Barnardo’s across the UK. We are always looking to engage further with students and tutors and anyone interested in becoming involved should contact the Student Programme at student.programme@barnardos.org.uk or on 0113 393 3247. For further information please contact Gillian Armstrong at The Scotch Whisky Experience g.armstrong@whisky-heritage.co.uk / 0131 220 0441