Executive Commitee (2011-2012)

Vice-President

Andy Cleasby: Click here for Andy’s email address

I am currently a second year Aston Business School Student studying Business and Management. It wasn’t until I began Aston University that I found the entrepreneur in me. It was in a Financial Accounting lecture that I was first inspired to start my own company, that is now developing at an astonishing rate!

I then began the SPEED programme (now the AE Academy), designed to inspire and nurture young entrepreneurs, giving training and funding. From this my first company, Bag-A-Book.org.uk, has blossomed into a recognised brand around campus and will soon be expanded to other Universities. This experience has allowed me to develop my business acumen and gain a great deal of experience. This is also benefited by the studying of my degree that also adds a background of theory.

I also have a great passion for sport, especially football, and am currently playing for the universities 1^st team. In the future I wish to work in a large multinational company and in the distant future start my own multinational organisation.

Vice-President

Sarunas Gerulis: Click here for Sarunas’ email address

I decided that I wanted to have a business related career, even in primary school…I have always wanted to be a ‘director’ and wear a black suit. However, later on in life I first felt disappointed when I found out that to be an entrepreneur one has to do a bit more than wear a black suit!

I was told that entrepreneurs are hardworking fellows. This is why I studied hard at high school and come to Aston University to do International Business and Management.

I was told that entrepreneurs have to make money. Therefore, at the age of 14 I started earning some pocket money by reselling mobile phones. After few years my ‘career’ continued with trading with scooters and motorcycles.

I was told that entrepreneurs are really communicative and active guys. Therefore, I tried to improve my communication skills in various events and workshops, and after meeting some really nice people can say that networking is probably the most important part of business.

I was told that entrepreneurs transform business ideas into real businesses. Therefore, last year I attended the Speed MW program (now the AE Academy) that helped students to start their business. Now I am at the beginning stage of starting a car resale business.

Now I believe that being an entrepreneur has even more advantages. Nowadays due to new technologies and computerisation companies produce more with fewer employees. Consequently, there will be less job places for graduates. Therefore, it is very important to promote entrepreneurship! That is why I am here.

Communications & Liaison Director

Elvin Quartey : Click here for Elvin’s email address

I am a motivated student who aspires to own and run a business in the later future, preferably in the property market. I am currently enrolled in network marketing, distributing Health Supplements and products for a major Chinese Firm. I presently own and run a small internet business repairing and reselling faulty electronic devices, which has been running successfully for the past four years.

Studying Economics & Management has allowed me to gain knowledge of the dynamics which run the business environment, and how the smallest of events can lead to major change. I wish to be able to rely upon this ability to analyse and predict changes in trade to further enhance the success of any future businesses I will embark on.

I have intentions to start property development in the next coming years and to create and establish a range of budding ventures.

Marketing Director

Sam Porter: Click here for Sam’s email address

I’m a second year student at Aston Business School studying Law with Management. The Law with Management degree incorporates many commercial subjects that I believe will be highly useful in the future, I have a keen interest in the business environment, and am excited to be a part of the Aston Entrepreneurs Society in order to help expand my business knowledge and contacts.

During this year, I hope to work on some of my own business ventures, and i am very excited at the opportunity of working with other young entrepreneurs, to give them the help they need to expand upon their ideas and set up their own business’s.’

I am a second year Aston Business School student studying International Business & Management with Mandarin

My passions include a range of activities such as travelling; however I have always been enthusiastic about business from very early on. Whilst in school I took part in the young enterprise scheme and was made managing director of the business. From this I managed to realise my love for business and enterprise.

Jean- Michel Mbala

I am a person who takes opportunities when presented and this has allowed me to team up with organisations such as rate my placement.com and the bigchoice.com to become a campus brand manager. As a society member of Aston Entrepreneurs I was able to get involved in many activities that developed my entrepreneurial and business skills this included Aston Apprentice which was not only great deal of fun but also helpful. Joining this society has given me a sense of direction with what I would like to get involved in and I have been privileged to be given a position on the committee. As well as taking part in university activities I also will be taking a teaching placement in China over the summer and have had numerous work experience with consultancy companies

Events Director

Sally-Anne Amakye: Click here for Sally-Anne’s email address

I am a second year Aston Business School student studying International Business & Management with Mandarin

My passions include a range of activities such as travelling; however I have always been enthusiastic about business from very early on. Whilst in school I took part in the young enterprise scheme and was made managing director of the business. From this I managed to realise my love for business and enterprise.

I am a person who takes opportunities when presented and this has allowed me to team up with organisations such as rate my placement.com and the bigchoice.com to become a campus brand manager. As a society member of Aston Entrepreneurs I was able to get involved in many activities that developed my entrepreneurial and business skills this included Aston Apprentice which was not only great deal of fun but also helpful. Joining this society has given me a sense of direction with what I would like to get involved in and I have been privileged to be given a position on the committee. As well as taking part in university activities I also will be taking a teaching placement in China over the summer and have had numerous work experience with consultancy companies

Previous Executive Teams

We will be adding sub-pages to list the entire executive commitees from 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 shortly!

President (July-Dec 2011)

Samuel Wilson: Click here for Sam’s email address

A young professional, buzzing with fresh ideas and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

I am a confident networker and strong public speaker, with an overwhelming drive to succeed. I enjoy pushing my boundaries everyday and am not afraid of taking risks. I am extremely passionate about the cause of ‘young’ or ‘student’ enterprise, and hope to work far into the future to change the perception that ‘enterprise’ is “not a choice of career path” for school leavers, students or graduates.

Twitter: @SamuelWilsonUK

LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/samuelwilsonuk

President 2010 to 2011

Michael Bandar: Click here for Mike’s email address

I have always had a passion and a hunger for business and all things enterprising. Incorporating my first company at the age of 15 offered me an early insight into the business world. Since then I have been self employed working on a variety of business ventures.

Studying Management and Strategy at Aston University has allowed me to gain a wider knowledge of business theory, some of which I have been able to implement to the benefit of my businesses mainly within the leisure industry.

As well as working within this highly competitive industry I am currently contracted as a brand and management consultant for PETRONAS, the Malaysian Oil Company.

My most recent projects include a new socially focused enterprise that produces information cards benefiting people who suffer from various allergies and intolerances. This company has experienced early success winning awards including a Shell Livewire Grand Ideas award and obtaining a nationwide distribution contract with ASDA.

In the future I hope to grow my current businesses and enter the online market through the creation of high traffic social novelty websites.

Founder and President (2009 to 2010)

George Kitchen, a second Year Management and Strategy student at Aston Business School, specialising in Accountancy and Finance. Founded Aston Entrepreneurs in 2009 in his 1st year at the university. Had an unplanned Gap Year in 2007/2008, following the decision to leave the Dental School at Newcastle University, in which he worked for 6 months and then travelled around Western Europe, to Russia and to South Africa on missionary work. Always an enterprising individual, he has always found the thrill and ultimate reward of working for oneself a preferred alternative!