Crowe inspires Walsall Academy students in week-long business exercise

Partner Ross Prince and business solutions supervisor Jack Edmonds, from the Midlands office of the national audit, tax and advisory firm, led the week-long programme, which was hosted by Walsall property company Goold Estates.

Mindshop is an internationally recognised network of strategic advisors who coach businesses in profit improvement and innovation through team development and strategic planning. Ross Prince is an accredited Mindshop facilitator.

The students were challenged to advise Goold Estates Ltd on how to maximise use of a newly-introduced cloud based document management system that integrates email and document filing.

Goold Estates builds, sells and rent commercial property across the West Midlands.

Ross Prince said: “The issue was one of data and systems management, and the students really impressed, not only with their enthusiasm and teamwork, but also the way they dissected the problem and offered practical solutions.

“By showing them just a few tools and strategies, they were able to deliver a very coherent presentation to a genuinely engaged business.”

Gareth Howell, director of careers at Walsall Academy, said: “It really was a superb week and the students rose to the challenges in a very thorough and professional manner.

“The support of Crowe is invaluable, but none of this would have taken place without the time and support of Dominic Goold and his team.”

Student James Hill said: “Throughout our week placement at Goold Estates our mentors, Jack and Ross, taught our group new and insightful ways to tackle real life problems and offer methods which we can take forward and use in our future school and work careers.

“As a group, we would like to thank them for their support. Giving up their time while still working on their day-to-day business responsibilities is something for which we are very grateful.”

Dominic Goold, managing director of Goold Estates, said: “I would like to express my thanks and admiration to all six students from Walsall Academy who took part.

“I've reflected on their presentation and want to commend them all on a job well done. There are definitely elements we will take from it and they told us things about our business that we did not know.

“Most of all though, I was impressed with the maturity of thought that was on display. I spent three months at Cranfield Business School last year and much of their presentation could have come from one of the seminars, it was that good.

“I also admired the mature attitudes on display. The students turned up on time, looked professional and behaved impeccably – they were a credit to themselves and to Walsall Academy.”