ActionCoach Foundation UK Celebrates Their First Class Of Graduates

In a momentous occasion for the Wirral community, three local students were celebrated as the first Wirral-based graduates of the ActionCOACH Foundation’s YESS (Young Entrepreneur Smart Start) Programme. The graduation ceremony was held in person at West Kirby Grammar School (WKGS) on 16 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the UK rollout of the globally acclaimed programme.

The YESS Programme, which equips young people with essential business and entrepreneurial skills, saw its inaugural UK cohort graduate in December 2024 under the facilitation of ActionCOACH Foundation CEO, Denise Pitot. The programme’s global reach includes over 570 graduates since its inception in 2021, with 26 students completing the first UK cohort. Among them were three Wirral-based students, prompting this special local celebration.

Local ActionCOACH, Mark Hodgkinson, officiated the ceremony. Certificates were presented to:

• Alexis Aratoon (21), whose certificate was collected by her mentor, ActionCOACH Roger Pemberton, as she was unable to attend.
• A 13-year-old male student, who chose not to be named.
• Emily Pitot (12), a Year 7 student at West Kirby Grammar School and the first WKGS scholar to graduate from the YESS programme.

Through Emily’s involvement, WKGS has now certified to run the YESS Programme for its students, with plans to introduce the curriculum in particular to Year 9 pupils later this year under the facilitation of Eion Mc Williams (Head of Finance and Economics at WKGS) and mentorship of ActionCOACH, Mark Hodgkinson.

A Transformative Experience for Students and Families

Parents and mentors alike lauded the impact of the YESS Programme. One parent remarked, “I’ve never seen my child look so confident. I wish this was available to me as a child; I didn’t learn this until I was 40.”

Emily Pitot reflected on her own experience, saying, “I enjoyed learning about how to advertise a business, especially how to know which adverts would work best. To other young potential students, I’d say, ‘Yes, you should do this, and always remember to focus and listen because that information will come in really handy in the future.’

Mark Hodgkinson, who has been involved in upskilling young people for years, shared his passion for the programme: “A lot of business owners never had the opportunity to learn about business. The earlier we can teach these skills, the better for them. I take great pleasure in seeing young people develop and thrive.”

Roger Pemberton, mentor and supporter of the programme, added: “It's a great way to give back to society. The country needs more business owners. We know the SME sector is one of the major areas of growth within the country. The kids of today will become those leaders, and we should provide the best business education for them.”

Building Confidence and Enterprise Skills

Eion McWilliams, Head of Finance and Economics at WKGS, praised the programme’s practical approach: “It gives students a good opportunity to look at entrepreneurial mindsets, risk-taking, and enterprise. My hope for the Year 9 students is to see their passion and excitement for business grow, and to consider enterprise as a viable option for GCSE and A-level studies. This programme provides a confidence boost and teaches essential skills like vision boards and idea generation, which are critical for success in the business world.”

About the YESS Programme

The YESS Business Basics course is a 12-week curriculum designed to instil the business principles of ActionCOACH Founder Brad Sugars into youth aged 12-22. The programme includes weekly videos, assignments, exams, and practical tasks such as creating vision boards, business plans, and video pitches. Since launching in 2021, the programme has empowered thousands of young entrepreneurs worldwide and is offered fully-funded to qualified participants. This activity may count towards your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Skills section; please check with your DofE Leader for applicability before booking.

With the programme’s expansion to West Kirby Grammar School, the Wirral community is poised to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.

For students, educators, and donors interested in joining or supporting the YESS Programme, please visit http://actioncoachfoundation.org.uk

About ActionCOACH Foundation

Founded in 2018, the ActionCOACH Foundation aims to ignite entrepreneurial spirit in youth worldwide. The YESS Programme represents a cornerstone of its mission to provide fully-funded business education to young people.