The second annual Claude’s Business Challenge at the University of West London (UWL) concluded with an Awards Ceremony on 28 May, celebrating the drive, creativity and ambition of the student entrepreneurs. The competition was jointly delivered by the Students’ Union, the Claude Littner Business School (CLBS) and the UWL Business Society.
Business magnate Claude Littner, joined by his wife Thelma and Pro Vice-Chancellor Suresh Gamlath, attended the ceremony to recognise the exceptional achievements of the students and the continued success of the initiative.
From concept to competition
Originally conceived by former MBA student and UWL Business Society Co-Chairperson Sanaa Sirajuddin Kazi, now Activities and Participation Officer at the Students’ Union, the initiative continues to grow in scale and impact.
This year’s competition brought together 60 students, including 50 from CLBS and 10 from across other UWL Schools and Colleges, widening participation and showcasing talent from across the University.
Students competed over a two-week period (13 – 28 May), for a grand prize of £10,000 for the winning team and £5,000 for the runners-up, generously sponsored by Claude Littner. Claude also awarded a coveted personal mentoring opportunity to the team judged most deserving.
Real-world challenges
Ten teams of six students tackled a series of one-day challenges covering investment, business innovation, branding, sales, marketing negotiations and business strategy.
The competition followed a knockout format, with one participant from each team being eliminated after the third task. Following assessment by a panel of judges including Claude Littner, faculty representing CLBS, the Students’ Union, Westmont Enterprise Hub and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive team, four teams progressed to the final.
Participants also benefited from a certified workshop delivered by previous winners Mohammad Abdullah, Business Development Executive at Angsana, and Gagandeep Kaur, Training and Induction Specialist at Thames Water.
Standout performances
Throughout the competition, students impressed judges with their energy, creativity, strategic thinking and teamwork under pressure. The judges praised the calibre of the participants and the quality of their work.
A transformative experience
Student Georgina Tugwell, from the winning team, said:
“This was one of the most rewarding experiences of my business school journey. It has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of, strengthening both my confidence and resilience.”
A member of the runner-up team, Lauren Coghlan, said:
“This competition was the perfect bridge between academic theory and the unpredictable realities of modern business. It left me feeling genuinely equipped for high-stake dynamics in my future career!”
Claude Littner praised the participants for their commitment and professionalism:
“The level of talent I have witnessed throughout the competition has been remarkable. Every participant has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism. Their presentations and ideas have been truly outstanding, and they deserve enormous credit for what they have achieved. I have the utmost respect for all of them and greatly appreciate the effort and commitment they have shown.”
Sanaa Sirajuddin Kazi highlighted the collaborative effort behind its success:
“Seeing the competition grow has been incredibly rewarding. The support from the Business Society, CLBS Senior Lecturer Paul Byrne, and the Students’ Union has been exceptional. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.”
