Students take summer market by storm

Three Northumbria students have launched a holiday business and become the University’s most successful Enterprise placement to date, achieving a turnover in the region of £100k in its first year alone.

Summer Takeover, which launched in 2013, was created by students Ben Trattles, Warren Pearson and Harley Gibb. The business caters to young travellers who wish to work abroad by offering working holiday packages to party destinations. Via the web page, travellers can book everything in one place.

Ben completed an Enterprise placement, rather than a traditional industrial placement, as part of his Business with Marketing degree. This approach allows students to grow and test their own business idea with support from the Student and Graduate Enterprise team.

Northumbria believes it is responsive support like this that led to it being named the number one university in the UK for graduate start-ups based on estimated turnover according to the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey.

Ben realised a gap in the market when planning to work abroad with his business partners Warren and Harley.

He said: “We realised the need for a company offering working holiday packages which provide the security of booking each component with a reputable UK company.”

When the trio returned to the UK, they turned their love of travel into their livelihoods.

As part of the Enterprise placement Summer Takeover received full access to Northumbria’s free on-campus office accommodation and to specialist business mentors, benefiting from free marketing and legal mentoring from industry professionals.

Ben said “I can honestly say that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of the University, both from the skills gained from our courses and the support they have given us to get Summer Takeover off the ground.”

Graham Baty, Enterprise Manager at Northumbria, said: “The University is committed to developing the entrepreneurial and enterprising skills of its students.

“We’re thrilled at the success of Summer Takeover, it shows our