Students at the University of Chester are benefitting from double the motivational boost as two generations of an entrepreneurial family share their advice and support.
Graham Shapiro regularly offers time to students in his key mentoring role as the University of Chester Business School’s Entrepreneur in Residence. Most recently he talked to second year undergraduate students as part of the Entrepreneurial Thought and Action module, a visit quickly followed up by a session for first year students focused on the Essentials of Entrepreneurship with his daughter Jade Shapiro.
Graham is an internationally celebrated, award-winning British inventor, designer and digital entrepreneur. For the past 25 years, his company, Graham Shapiro Design (GSD), has created branding and websites for some of the world’s leading companies including Fiat Chrysler, Philips, Siemens, Liverpool FC, Rolex, Rybrook, Samsung and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, which Graham is a Partner of.
Graham’s own innovations include the invention of the interloopmailer which transforms ordinary publicity material, and Reggie – a pioneering school registration app – both acclaimed in their own field.
He has also recently featured in a landmark publication by the St James Group, celebrating 300 Years of Innovation and Leadership, produced in collaboration with the History of Parliament Trust. The 2021 publication has been produced to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the appointment of Britain’s first prime minister, Robert Walpole, in 1721, and in the year of Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday. Celebrating the best of British leadership, the book features articles on those who have shaped British society, past and present. Graham’s piece entitled Leadership by Design discusses the importance of innovation and shared endeavour.
Jade is following in her father’s footsteps as a young entrepreneur and chartered designer specialising in graphic design, creative marketing and account management.
She graduated from Birmingham City University with First Class Honours and joined Graham Shapiro Design, interloopmailer and Reggie Education after her degree. In that time she has been involved in a huge variety of projects and activities.
During Jade’s visit, she shared insights including: “Celebrate the little wins, focus on the process, persevere, create a work-life balance and surround yourself with positive and passionate people.”
Graham added why it was important to take time to support enterprising young people: “Young entrepreneurial people inspire me; my daughter Jade inspires me, all the time. In serving as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Business School, students express such insight, confidence, coupled with resilience and tenacity – all qualities that I admire. What really inspires me is the scale of promise they all bring, with boundless enterprise and endeavour.
“It is very much an honour to be a part of the University of Chester and to have the opportunity to help young entrepreneurs to realise their dreams and make their mark in the world.”
Supported by Jade, Graham also spearheads the Graham Shapiro Foundation Enterprise Challenge, a competition for the University to find the best student business ideas, and The Graham Shapiro Foundation, a charity with the vision to increase support for mental health, enable greater wellbeing and at the same time, to inspire innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among young people in the UK.
Dr Connie Hancock, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Management at Chester Business School said: “We’re indeed privileged to have Graham’s commitment within the Department of Management, and beyond, to enhancing the students’ learning experience. Our Business students are the fortunate beneficiaries of Graham’s significant expertise and experience.
“We are also so grateful to Jade, who is following in her father’s footsteps by joining him in supporting our students in their entrepreneurial endeavours.”
