Business postgraduate shortlisted for Student of the Year Awards
LSBU Business School postgraduate Martina Eco is a finalist in the Institute of Directors Student of the Year Awards 2016LSBU Business School postgraduate student, Martina Eco, is one of five finalists in the Institute of Directors (IoD) Student of the Year Awards 2016, in recognition of her entrepreneurial project ‘Moving the First Steps’ - a multi-channel coaching programme providing much-needed support to freelance translators and interpreters.
The awards showcase brilliant and innovative projects that create real tangible value, including start-up businesses and projects developed during a student’s academic career.
Last week Martina pitched her business idea to an expert panel of judges at the IoD premises in Pall Mall. The IoD is the UK’s longest-running organisation for professional leaders, dedicated to supporting and encouraging entrepreneurial activity and responsible business practice.
Martina said: “I decided to enter the competition thanks to the Student Enterprise team, who really supported me throughout the whole process. I was keen to gain as much experience as possible from the application and pitching process, whilst also trying to get my brand out there.
“Being a finalist means my name and a description of what I do will be included in a brochure given to all the 350 directors from all over the UK, who are attending the Gala event in October for the IoD awards. It’s a great networking opportunity!”
Martina decided to set up her own translation business in 2013 after attaining an MA in Translation and Interpreting. Currently studying for her MSc in Marketing at LSBU, she said:
“The reason I decided to go freelance rather than find an in-house role in a translation agency is because I've always been very independent, and I wanted ownership of my career and the freedom to decide who to work with and when. And it was one of the best choices of my life.”
Linsey Cole, Head of LSBU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute, said:
“Martina is a very deserving finalist for the 2016 national Student of the Year Award. It’s brilliant that all her hard work towards starting her own business has been recognised externally by an organisation that has been supporting businesses since 1903.
“At LSBU, we aim to provide students and graduates with all the skills they need to start their own businesses, whether that’s through workshops, debates or networking opportunities. We wish Martina every success!”
As well as running her own business 3P Translation, Martina also draws on her entrepreneurial experience and marketing knowledge to guide local businesses as a Student Adviser in LSBU’s Business Solutions Centre - a free drop-in service for small- and medium-sized businesses located in the Clarence Centre.
The results of the Student of the Year Awards will be announced in October.
Find out more about the work of the Student Enterprise team.