The hard work and dedication of young entrepreneurs representing schools from across the Lothians was recognised at an awards event at Edinburgh Napier University.

Around 150 students from the area participated in the 2018-19 Young Enterprise programme, and the evening included well-polished presentations by 18 different teams on their experiences.

Fourteen individual awards were presented, with the ‘Best Overall Company’ this year awarded to ‘Wicks’n’Wax’ from Linlithgow Academy.

The presentation and awards ceremony was sponsored by Edinburgh Napier, and the event at the Craiglockhart campus was opened by Naomi Graham, Vice Principal (International) and member of the University Leadership Team.

The young people also heard an honest and inspiring account of starting a business from successful young entrepreneur Sam Brennan, founder of Fresh Car Valeting.

Dr Kirsteen Grant, Young Enterprise board member and judge of the Best HR Director award, said: “The year-long Young Enterprise Company Programme provides young people with a fantastic platform to experience the process of starting and running a business.

“The Young Enterprise journey equips them with important employability and transferrable skills, for example, around team working, people leadership, financial management and customer service.”

Other companies to pick up awards on the evening included Prestige Recipes (George Watson’s College), Hoops (St George’s School for Girls), Meraki (Boroughmuir High), Enchanted Florist (Currie High), Eclipse (George Watson’s College), Charitable Hearts (St Margaret’s Academy) and Tea Green (George Heriot’s).