Latest news from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

1 Oct 2013

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ MP praises º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduate for enterprise success

LtoR: Nicky Morgan MP, Professor Bob Allison, Becky White

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ MP Nicky Morgan paid a visit to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ on Friday 27 September, to see how graduate entrepreneur, Becky White, has developed a thriving fitness business in three years.

Nicky’s visit to Becky – who launched onesixeight:fitness during her Sport Management degree – came just ahead of the Conservative Party Conference, at which the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ MP speaks on raising women’s public profile, particularly in business.

As a keen runner and marathoner, Nicky had plenty to talk to Becky about and managed to combine business with a personal training session. The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, also took the opportunity to find out more about Becky’s success and to take part in an impromptu mini trampoline session.

Nicky said: “Becky is a real inspiration to women of all ages to succeed in their goals.  Through dedication and enthusiasm, she’s shown how to build her business and I’m delighted that she also finds time to positively influence local school children.”

Becky opened her first private personal training studio on the University campus in August this year. Within just one month, she has achieved 75% new bookings and has taken on a team of five fitness instructors, which bodes well for her ultimate goal to branch out nationwide. Eager to help boost employability skills, Becky has just launched an internship scheme to help prepare University and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ College students for careers in the fitness industry.

Becky’s enterprising talent was first rewarded in the University’s business ideas competition, where she successfully pitched for start-up funding during her trademark mini trampoline workout.  Since then, she has been recognised in the University’s Enterprise Awards and in the Pride of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Awards, where she won Small Business of the Year.

Becky is also one of eight º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduates to feature in a multimedia campaign, celebrating graduate enterprise. These Inspiring Graduates have all established thriving businesses despite the continued economic downturn.

Becky says: “It’s been hard work but so exciting to see so many people enjoying their fitness. As well as the personal training sessions, we now have thirteen group sessions ranging from running for beginners, mini trampoline workouts to indoor circuits. I’m so pleased to able to grow my business at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, which has such a great reputation for both sport and enterprise.”

Becky is offering free group fitness sessions from 30 September.

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Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 13/182

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. It has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league, and in recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

Contact for all media enquiries

Alex Pycock
Marketing Assistant
Enterprise Office
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
T: 01509 222831
E: A.Pycock@lboro.ac.uk