June 02, 2026 - 152 views
A team of enterprising students from Llandudno is preparing to represent Wales on the national stage after winning the prestigious Young Enterprise Wales Company Programme final.
The Year 12 students from Ysgol John Bright impressed judges in Swansea with their innovative business idea, Zestee, which produces biodegradable golf tees made from waste tangerine peel. Their environmentally friendly product earned them both the Best Company and Innovation awards, securing a place in the UK national finals in Cardiff on June 3.
The seven-strong team – David, Marta, Tilly, James, Crystal, Austin and Eren – overcame competition from five other schools across Wales to claim the top honours. Their success follows victory in the North Wales regional round earlier this year.
Tilly, Zestee’s Financial Director, said: “I’m so proud of everything our team has put into this. Reaching the finals of the UK Young Enterprise Awards is more than we ever expected. We’re really looking forward to going to Cardiff.”
Supported by teachers Danielle Hicks and Lauren Barlow, the students have spent months developing their sustainable business concept, turning discarded tangerine peel into a practical product aimed at reducing waste and promoting environmentally responsible golfing.
The Cardiff finals mark a significant milestone for the competition, as it will be the first time the UK-wide Young Enterprise national finals have been held in Wales. Teams from across the United Kingdom will compete for the overall title, with the winners earning the opportunity to represent the UK at the European finals in Latvia.
Headteacher Hywel Parry praised the students’ achievement.
He said: “Zestee have come up with an innovative, environmentally aware idea and developed it into a marketable product. As a school we are so proud of their teamwork, creativity and ingenuity which has seen them crowned Welsh champions.
“These students show the school at its best – working together, innovating and ultimately achieving beyond their wildest ambitions. We are hugely proud of their achievements.”
As part of the Young Enterprise programme, the students have been responsible for every aspect of running their company, from product design and manufacturing to marketing, budgeting and sales. They have also built an online presence through social media and their own website, where their eco-friendly golf tees can be purchased.
Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Aaron Wynne, also congratulated the team.
He said: “All of us here at Conwy County Borough Council would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the pupils and staff involved. Getting to the finals of the UK Young Enterprise Awards is a massive achievement, and these young people are a great example of the talent we have across all our schools in Conwy.”
The talented team now heads to Cardiff carrying the hopes of Wales as they compete against the country’s best young entrepreneurs for a place in the European finals.
