April 30, 2025, by aczht
Empowering change: Enactus Nottingham showcases innovation at Enactus UK & Ireland Expo 2025
Students from Enactus Nottingham travelled to ExCeL London from 7 to 8 April 2025 to participate in the Enactus UK & Ireland World Cup Qualifier and Expo. The two-day event brought together over 20 university teams and more than 15 employer partners, including competition judges, mentors, and graduate recruiters.
What is Enactus Nottingham?
Enactus Nottingham is a not-for-profit, student-led organisation at the University of Nottingham. It creates social enterprises that provide employment while generating a positive social and environmental impact.
A team of over 200 students deliver projects locally and internationally, using innovative, sustainable solutions to tackle real-world issues. They identify community needs and develop practical responses through strong partnerships and corporate support.
Reflections by student participant Jingwei Tang
Student Jingwei Tang reflects on the experience:
The Nottingham team proudly represented the university with a year’s worth of work across eight social enterprise projects. These initiatives addressed pressing real-world challenges from youth development to sustainability, demonstrating how business skills can be used as a force for social benefits.
Our students took the opportunity to present the progress and social impact of several key projects to a national audience. Months of planning and teamwork were behind each pitch. As one of our team members, Harriet, a first-year BSc Management student, said:
“We’ve been meeting three times a week, running regular rehearsals and practice sessions. There’s a strong sense of community here – it’s a great vibe and an amazing experience.”
Each student contributed to developing their respective projects and gained valuable experience in public speaking, problem-solving, and collaboration. These projects were more than case studies – they were live ventures making a real difference.
Bridging purpose and profession
Beyond the competition, the Expo served as a career development platform. Students engaged with industry employers, including HSBC, BDO, SAP, and Unilever, receiving first-hand insights into recruitment trends, employer expectations, and graduate pathways.
Ella, a first-year Computer Science student, said:
“It was a really insightful and engaging experience, especially with such a wide range of companies involved. We gained valuable insider knowledge and discovered exciting early career opportunities. It was great to have the freedom to ask as many questions as we liked.”
These interactions extended beyond job prospects. Employers also provided mentorship and career guidance. A representative from SAP explained:
“I just want to be able to connect with students, explain our opportunities, and provide some guidance. It’s good to bounce ideas off and help people find their next step.”
From the employers’ perspective, Enactus students were considered particularly strong candidates. Hasan, a Talent Specialist at Enterprise Mobility, commented:
“Enactus students already have the communication, work ethic, and resilience we value. They tend to transition from student mindset to employee mindset faster.”
These conversations reaffirmed Enactus’s value as a bridge between social purpose and professional development, turning values-driven students into confident, career-ready graduates.
Empowering future changemakers
We organised this trip to empower our students with real-world exposure and help them connect their values with their ambitions. While we did not progress to the final round, the learning, confidence, and network built during these two days were far more meaningful.
Tom Perry, a Business Advisor for Enactus Nottingham and a former student of the University, shared:
“Enactus students are very entrepreneurial and like individuals who want to make a difference in the world, and in whatever capacity they can. I’ve had great interaction with University of Nottingham students like you, who are very proactive. We also deliver impact where we can, so lots of positive words to say.”
His reflection highlights the strength of the Enactus community – not just as a student society, but as a long-term platform for developing purpose-driven leaders. The National Expo reminded us that the journey matters as much as the outcome. Our students returned not only as representatives of Nottingham but as changemakers ready to lead with impact.
Find out more about Enactus Nottingham?
Discover how Enactus Nottingham empowers University of Nottingham students to create social and environmental impact through entrepreneurship.
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