Mark Butland - BA (Hons) Events Management and Adventure Tourism
8 December 2008
Mark Butland, of Bollington, Cheshire, will graduate from the University of Derby Buxton's BA (Hons) Events Management and Adventure Tourism degree course next year (2009).
Mark runs Cheshire-based outdoor activities business, Adventure Works Ltd, which is being supported via the University, through the Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in EDucation (or SPEED) bursary scheme.
He used what he'd learned on the course, and in his 25 years as a youth services worker teaching outdoor education, to set up Adventure Works.
Mark said: "I used to teach outdoor education in London. The business I run now is focused on tailored adventure and events packages for corporate business, specializing in open canoe adventures. I provide the right equipment, venue and training.
"The SPEED bursary scheme helped me to develop the service."
SPEED is Government funded through national Higher Education Innovation Fund 3. Students receive financial help, guidance and have the chance to network with other budding entrepreneurs.
The University of Derby alone had a SPEED support fund of £500,000 over two years and has organised 76 bursaries from that.
On graduating Derby students can also gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise Management, to further enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
