Paul Deighton met London 2012 contract winners from the West Midlands to celebrate the region’s success in winning over half a billion worth of tenders/contracts.
Participated in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch by business pupils from Get Set Network school, Deansfield Community School.
On Friday 14 October, Paul Deighton, Chief Executive for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) joined David Moorcroft, West Midlands for 2012 Chair, and regional London 2012 contract winners at a special business event in Wolverhampton celebrating the tremendous success West Midlands businesses have experienced in winning London 2012 tenders.
Paul Deighton met representatives from some of the 315 organisations from across the region that have won London 2012 tenders to supply goods or services to London 2012 directly or to supply projects related to the London 2012 Games and took part in a Q&A session at the event at Holiday Inn, Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton.
To read some of the successful Case Studies click here.
Paul Deighton and David Moorcroft additionally took on the role of ‘Dragons’ in a Dragon’s Den style pitch from business pupils from Get Set Network school, Deansfield Community School. 12 students aged 14/15 years gave 5 minute pitches as to how they would host and attract an international team and pre-games training camp either at the school, within the Wolverhampton area or within the wider West Midlands. The pupils took inspiration from the latest training camp, the Dominica Boxing Team, which will be based in Wolverhampton as well as the USA and Jamaican track and field teams both based in Birmingham.
Paul Deighton, LOCOG Chief Executive said: “I am extremely impressed with the number of companies from the West Midlands that have won business to get us ready for and to stage the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With plenty more opportunities still to come, I would encourage all businesses to consider putting themselves forward and bring a further economic legacy to the region.”
David Moorcroft, West Midlands for 2012 Chair said: “Businesses across the West Midlands have embraced the opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games winning over half a billion worth of tenders with contract wins in 58 of the region’s 59 Parliamentary Constituencies. This is a great moment for business to reflect on this success and to look ahead to opportunities beyond the 2012 Games.”
Heather Crump, Head of Year, Deansfied Community School said: “Deansfield Community School are very excited to be a 'Get Set' school in this Olympic school year. We are taking part in as many events as possible in the build up to our own Deansfield Olympics in the summer term. Olympic projects are happening in all departments and the students have been very excited about working on a Dragon's Den type event with the opportunity to present to the head of London 2012, Paul Deighton.”
Contract winners who attended the morning long event also attended sessions led by Jim Johnston West Midlands for 2012 business lead as he presented opportunities for businesses beyond the Games including a look ahead to the British Business Club with Martin Hall, Business Development Manager, Olympic Legacy Unit of UKTI.
Get Set is the official London 2012 education programme for schools and colleges across the UK. More than 19800 schools and colleges have already registered with the programme. Through Get Set schools and colleges which demonstrate how they are using the Olympic and Paralympic Values can apply to join the Get Set network. Schools which apply to join the Get Set network before 16 December 2011 will receive tickets to the Games through the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative, as well as other exclusive rewards and opportunities.