A dynamic career development event for cadets aged 15 and over from Yorkshire, the Humber, and the North East returned to York St John University on 5-6 July 2025. This exciting weekend, hosted by the university’s Business School, empowered sea cadets, army cadets and air cadets with essential entrepreneurial and business skills, preparing them for future leadership roles.
Two-day programme
The event offered cadets the opportunity to learn about key business disciplines, including accounting and finance, company law, and marketing, delivered by academic staff and industry practitioners. A highlight of the weekend was a Dragon’s Den-style business planning competition, where cadets put their newfound knowledge into practice, with prizes awarded to the winners at a prize-giving reception on Sunday. The weekend’s speakers included Cherie Federico of Aesthetica, Ann Gurnell and Winojith Sanjeewa of York St John Business School, Daniel Roche of M.B. Roche & Sons Ltd and more.
Simon Banks-Cooper, Honorary Colonel of the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force and event co-founder said, “The 2024 event was a resounding success, enjoyed by cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) alike. This weekend was a fantastic opportunity for cadets to apply their cadet experience in a business and entrepreneurial context, gaining skills relevant to starting their own businesses or pursuing leadership roles in the workplace.”
“I’m delighted this outstanding event returned for a second year, and I extend my sincere thanks to York St John University Business School for once again hosting it on their superb campus. This weekend isn’t just great fun, it highlights how the leadership, teamwork, and resilience developed through the cadet experience directly translate into the skills valued by business and enterprise. It’s a powerful reminder that cadets are not only future leaders in uniform but also in boardrooms, start-ups, and civic life.”
Brendan Paddison, Dean of York Business School said, “The Business Enterprise Weekend at York St John provides a valuable opportunity to connect with our local community. As well as exploring the fundamentals of enterprise and business management, this weekend created space for cadets to discover new strengths and build confidence for the future. Seeing these talented young people challenge themselves, collaborate, and grow has been a powerful reminder of the value of learning beyond the classroom. We are delighted at York Business School to have played even a small part in inspiring the next generation of leaders.”
A unique opportunity to Yorkshire
The Cadet Force of Yorkshire and the Humber pioneered the Cadet Business and Enterprise Weekend, with the idea created by Banks-Cooper in collaboration with York St John University. The event is the first of its kind- a collaboration for the Cadet Force involving Defence, industry and higher education. Delivering on the aims from the recently published 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the weekend event is just one example of how the Cadet Force is a vital conduit between Armed Forces and wider society. It offers a transformative experience, with the opportunity to equip young people with knowledge, resilience and confidence, giving a young person an ‘edge’ when pursuing future pathways such as higher education, apprenticeships, the armed forces and employment.
Tangible Benefits for Future Leaders
The event bridged skills that cadets develop through their cadet experience and their application in a professional business environment. Cadets also gained insights into university life through interactions with York St John University’s student ambassadors who were available throughout the weekend. York St John University, a Gold Award holder in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), is renowned for its Military Human Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, developed by Nick Wood, Armed Forces and Uniformed Services Manager, and Mick Fleming, Armed Forces and Uniformed Services Officer. The programme is delivered across the UK, underscoring the university’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
Work-Ready Skills and Unique Opportunities
The event equipped cadets with transferable workplace skills, recognised as highly valuable for both employees and employers, particularly for young people entering the workforce. Every cadet who participated in and passed the pitch presentation is eligible for a one-grade discount on standard offers for undergraduate courses at York Business School, providing a significant incentive for academic progression. Participants had the opportunity to experience university life, compete for cash prizes, and gain a university-accredited award, making this a uniquely inspiring and practical weekend.
As Banks-Cooper noted, “Events like this reinforce the role of the cadet forces as a bridge between defence and wider society, building confidence in young people and showcasing the immense value cadets bring to the UK’s future workforce and national resilience. The opportunity to gain a university-accredited award, experience student life, and compete for cash prizes makes this a genuinely inspiring and practical weekend.”