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The first company based in a school

A brother and sister team has launched what is believed to be the first school business-in-residence.

Celia and James Bristow have opened a marketing agency, Beanwave, inside the Business Hub in The Milton Keynes Academy.

Uniquely, they will be sharing office premises with up to 1,500 children aged 11 to 18 in the stunning new Academy building in Leadenhall.

Celia and James receive free office space in return for two-three hours a week helping students with enterprise-related projects.

Celia said: "We really love working in this fabulous and creative new environment. When clients and contacts first hear where we are based they are initially intrigued and then very positive about it.  

"We have considerable real-life business experience to share with students. We will be working on projects with young people in small groups and we will be mentoring students too."

Academy Director of Business and Enterprise Sean Hickey said that the decision to base a company inside the school was part of the school's pledge to give students the skills and training necessary for their later working lives.

"There is nothing better for young people than seeing a real business operate close-up," he added, "Celia and James have lots of energy and enthusiasm and I'm sure they will be great role models."  

Celia and James have 20-plus years experience in trade, product and brand marketing, event management, graphic design and developing sales growth strategies spanning a wide range of industries.  Now going it alone as Beanwave, they specialise in working with dynamic businesses of all sizes that understand the value in marketing led growth.

Already Beanwave has won a contract with global ICT business continuity giant SunGard Public Sector, along with ongoing clients ADT Fire and Security and foodservice market leader the Brakes Group.

For more details about Beanwave visit www.beanwave.co.uk