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Enterprise roll of honour launched

Press release issued: 16 February 2006

An Enterprise Roll of Honour is to be launched on 7 March 2006 to celebrate enterprising and inspirational successes from the University of Bristol. Attending the launch will be Sahar Hashemi, who founded Coffee Republic and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high street brands with a turnover of £30m. Hashemi was a University of Bristol student.

An Enterprise Roll of Honour is to be launched on 7 March 2006 to celebrate enterprising and inspirational successes from the University of Bristol.

Attending the launch will be Sahar Hashemi, who founded Coffee Republic and built it into one of the UK’s most recognised high street brands with a turnover of £30m. Hashemi was a  University of Bristol student.

Hashemi will provide an insight into the secret of the coffee-chain’s colossal success.  How she came to build a nationwide coffee chain is a fascinating and inspirational tale of the ups and downs of following your dream.

The event will include a moveable display containing press cuttings, photographs, signed memorabilia and other interesting information, showcasing some of the entrepreneurial talent that has come out of the University. 

Dr Neil Bradshaw, Director of Enterprise at the University said: "The University has a history of students to be proud of – from Mark Ellingham, joint managing director of the Rough Guide brand, through to Nick Wheeler founder of Charles Tyrwhitt shirts, and David Milne, founder and chief executive of Wolfson Microlectronics, without whom the I-pod would just be a small white box!"

As a University with a world-class reputation for the high quality of its staff and students, the excellent standard of its research and teaching and the sheer dynamism of its enterprise activities – the University has helped produce generations of enterprising alumni who have gone on to establishing world-famous businesses. 

Running alongside the Roll of Honour will be an ‘Emerging Entrepreneurs’ showcase, which will promote the key businesses, formed by University of Bristol undergraduates, that are on their ‘way up’.  The home for both these displays will eventually be in the new Enterprise Labs in the University’s Merchant Ventures Building.

The launch will take place between 11am -12.15pm, on 7th March 2006 in the Senate House reception foyer. The display containing press cuttings, photographs, signed memorabilia and other interesting information will be unveiled.

Vice-Chancellor Eric Thomas will host the event and Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi will provide an insight into the secret of the coffee-chain’s colossal success.  Entry to the event is free and light refreshments will be available.

To reserve a place, and for a chance to meet some of Bristol’s most famous alumni, please email Kelly.willshire@bristol.ac.uk or call 0117 928 8676.

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