Although only 21, Alex Hallimond is an Assistant Manager at our Durham branch. He’s on a 12-month placement, organised by the University of Sunderland’s careers development team and in that time he’s been promoted twice.
The student from Ryhope is exactly the kind of hard-worker that we seek out here at Enterprise – he’s diligent, shows initiative and is a good communicator. Alex began his Applied Business and Management Studies at the University of Sunderland in 2012, aged 18, with the long-term goal of playing an active role in the region’s economic future. He’ll be helped to continue his studies courtesy of the Sir Tom Cowie Memorial Scholarship which awards £10,000 each year to two high-achieving final year students on course for a 2:1 or a first-class honours degree. A long-term supporter of the University, Sir Tom Cowie believed passionately the principle of providing those with talent the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of their background.
Alex explains: “It was through the University Career Fair that I found Enterprise. I started with them in June 2014 for a 12-month placement, and have progressed to the Assistant Manager role. It has set me up well for my future career.”
“The fund will help me to support myself now the placement year has finished, and I will be able to reduce my hours throughout my final year and focus more time on my studies. The scholarship will enable me to keep my foot in the door at Enterprise and go on to resume my role when I have finished my degree.”
“My dad went to the University of Sunderland so I have got a family link to it. My ambition is to be a business or industry leader, and it is good for the North East to have people striving to become that. I am very proud of where I am from.”
The scholarship funding will also help Alex continue to support his mother and sister financially (his father passed away when he was young) and reduce his hours at Enterprise while he completes the last year of his education.
At Enterprise we’re delighted to play our small part in helping Alex to achieve his goals – if you’d like to find out about how we could help you, discover more about the opportunities that we have on offer.