Gérard Jones
Encyclopedia
Gérard Jones (born 24 June 1989) is a young entrepreneur
from Selby
, England
, former youth football player for Halifax Town and co-founder behind the Gérard School of Football, a football coaching business he established aged 19 with his father, Bryn, in February 2009 which previously worked in partnership with Arsenal FC operating Arsenal Soccer Schools in the Humberside
& East Riding of Yorkshire
region.
Gérard School of Football was named in the Startups 100 Awards for 2010 as a 'Top 100 Best Business Start-up Company' recognised as one of the UK's most innovative, inspiring and ground-breaking new companies which included the likes of Huddle (software)
, Naked Wines
, Reggae Reggae Sauce
& Zoopla
among others with co-founder Gérard also being named as one of the Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year in 2010, joining an alumnus of the UK’s Leading Young Social Entrepreneurs which includes Tom Mursell
& Claire Watt-Smith
who won the coveted award in 2008.
In 2011, the Institute for Public Policy Research
regional arm ippr north listed Gérard in the Northern Lights Top 50 a list of the "Top 50 brightest and most talented people in the North of England".
As a result of his entrepreneurial success, Gérard was featured among 25 young entrepreneurs from across the globe in a book called 'Young Entrepreneur World: How 25 Teen-trepreneurs succeeded and left the world leaders scratching their heads' which can be bought online at Amazon.com
.
running development centres for girls which lead to the birth of his own football coaching business with the dream of becoming recognised as a leader in youth development. One year later and Gérard School of Football grew to becoming the largest football coaching provider in the Humberside
& East Riding of Yorkshire
region, secured sponsorship from British Land
through St. Stephen's Hull
worth £5,000, which was renewed in 2011, reached the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups list in UK 2010 and formed a partnership with Arsenal FC operating Arsenal Soccer Schools, one of the world's largest soccer school programs across 21 countries.
Jim Harris, Centre Manager at St. Stephen's Hull
has given Gérard a glowing testimonial on the British Land
website saying "You only have to meet Gérard once to understand his enthusiasm, he is a local lad with great ideas and drive" adding "He works with local boys and girls and genuinely has their best interests and welfare at heart".
Not only has Jim given Gérard a good character reference, he has also added "He is also an inspirational speaker, impressing everyone he meets" with Jim offering a prediction for the future "Gérard is going to be the England football manager
before he is 50" with British Land
commenting saying "That's news many England
fans might welcome after our recent World Cup
performance".
Gérard has featured in The Guardian
among seven of the best young entrepreneurs in Britain
to promote student examples of entrepreneurship
, connected to an article published ‘The age of the self starter’ which was based around entrepreneurial examples of successful twentysomethings who have each forged their own path in life having either dropped out, decided against or enrolled and graduated from university, with a reported one million young Britons currently out of work.
Achieving all of this, he was quickly recognized and named in the Northern Lights Top 50 list of the 'Top 50 brightest and most talented people in the North of England', compiled by ippr north which is the regional arm of the national Institute for Public Policy Research
think-tank. This list was selected by directors of ippr, featuring one's to watch from the worlds of business
, academia
, public service
, politics
, culture
, the arts
and social and community action, with Gérard joining Andy Clarke, CEO of Asda
among those named. Ed Cox, director of ippr north, said: "Our Northern Lights list shines the spotlight on upcoming stars from politics
to poetry
, from Liverpool
to Lindisfarne" with Mr Cox continuing to say "We want to celebrate the best and boldest and shirk any notion of it being grim up North", adding "We think the North should be leading, not pleading, it's the way to renewed prosperity and so we must develop and hold on to the talented individuals who can lead the Northern renaissance".
To add to his personal and business achievement, GSF which Gérard established at the University of Hull
's Enterprise Centre, which was part-funded by Yorkshire Forward
, was named as one of Yorkshire Forward
's 'Success Stories' for the Yorkshire
and Humber
region for its contribution to the region in becoming recognised as the 'North of England Premier
Football School'. which is joined by being named in the University of Hull
's annual report for 2009-2010 as a 'Success Story' for 'Business
Competitiveness
and Innovation
' .
' status for Entrepreneurship
by Enterprise
UK, national campaign
to increase enterprising behaviour and entrepreneurialism among people in UK, chaired by leading entrepreneur Peter Jones
alongside being a Youth Board member for icould.com, is a free, independent online portal and support network for people who have a desire to change their future, offering people of all ages ideas, direction, inspiration and hope for their futures which is founded by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation, is the independent, charitable organisation dedicated to career development and active, career-related learning.
Alongside speaking, he has been interviewed by a weekly coaching magazine called 'Soccer Coach Weekly' by offering his opinions on coaching methods to help those interested in working with youngsters.
& East Riding of Yorkshire
and coach for Arsenal Soccer Schools in South Italy
having previously worked with Rochdale A.F.C.
Centre of Excellence coaching the U15s & U16s, Accrington Stanley F.C.
Centre of Excellence working with the U16s, East Riding County Football Association
coaching Girls development programs, University of Hull
football teams, Halifax Town Centre of Excellence working with the U12s and finally scouting for Bradford City A.F.C.
Centre of Excellence.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
from Selby
Selby
Selby is a town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Situated south of the city of York, along the course of the River Ouse, Selby is the largest and, with a population of 13,012, most populous settlement of the wider Selby local government district.Historically a part of the West Riding...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, former youth football player for Halifax Town and co-founder behind the Gérard School of Football, a football coaching business he established aged 19 with his father, Bryn, in February 2009 which previously worked in partnership with Arsenal FC operating Arsenal Soccer Schools in the Humberside
Humberside
Humberside was a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in Northern England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. It was composed of land from either side of the Humber Estuary, created from portions of the East and West ridings of Yorkshire and parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire...
& East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
region.
Gérard School of Football was named in the Startups 100 Awards for 2010 as a 'Top 100 Best Business Start-up Company' recognised as one of the UK's most innovative, inspiring and ground-breaking new companies which included the likes of Huddle (software)
Huddle (software)
Huddle is a web-based team collaboration and project management application developed in the UK.Huddle is privately held and funded by Eden Ventures and Matrix Partners.-Features:...
, Naked Wines
Naked Wines
Naked Wines is an online wine retailer founded by Rowan Gormley which launched in the UK on the 1st December 2008.-Launch:The company was founded by Richard Branson's former right-hand-man and serial-entrepreneur Rowan Gormley. Rowan's previous ventures include setting-up and running Virgin Direct...
, Reggae Reggae Sauce
Reggae Reggae Sauce
Reggae Reggae Sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice, popularised by creator Levi Roots' appearance on BBC2's Dragons' Den.Dragon's Den investor Peter Jones has since classified the product as one of his most successful investments from the show...
& Zoopla
Zoopla
Zoopla is a property and house prices website that provides information such as sold house prices and current value estimates for all 27 million residential properties in the UK.-Product features:...
among others with co-founder Gérard also being named as one of the Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year in 2010, joining an alumnus of the UK’s Leading Young Social Entrepreneurs which includes Tom Mursell
Tom Mursell
Tom Mursell is a young entrepreneur, media spokesperson and speaker in the area of careers advice and jobs. He was a participant in the Channel 4 documentary Yeardot which followed 15 young people over the period of 12 months.-Projects:...
& Claire Watt-Smith
Claire Watt-Smith
Claire Watt-Smith FRSA is an English entrepreneur.Watt-Smith studied at Royal Holloway, University of London, gaining a BSc in Management Studies with French in 2005 and a Masters in European Business and Spanish in 2006. She set up BoBelle in 2008, a luxury accessories company.In 2008, Watt-Smith...
who won the coveted award in 2008.
In 2011, the Institute for Public Policy Research
Institute for Public Policy Research
The IPPR is the leading progressive think-tank in the UK. It produces research and policy ideas committed to upholding values of social justice, democratic reform and environmental sustainability. IPPR is based in London and IPPR North has branches in Newcastle and Manchester.It was founded in...
regional arm ippr north listed Gérard in the Northern Lights Top 50 a list of the "Top 50 brightest and most talented people in the North of England".
As a result of his entrepreneurial success, Gérard was featured among 25 young entrepreneurs from across the globe in a book called 'Young Entrepreneur World: How 25 Teen-trepreneurs succeeded and left the world leaders scratching their heads' which can be bought online at Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
.
Career
Released at the age of 19 as a youth player by Halifax Town having failed to impress on trial with several league Clubs, he started coaching for East Riding County Football AssociationEast Riding County Football Association
The East Riding County Football Association is the governing body of football in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the city of Hull, England. The East Riding runs a number of county cup competitions at different levels for its affiliated teams....
running development centres for girls which lead to the birth of his own football coaching business with the dream of becoming recognised as a leader in youth development. One year later and Gérard School of Football grew to becoming the largest football coaching provider in the Humberside
Humberside
Humberside was a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in Northern England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. It was composed of land from either side of the Humber Estuary, created from portions of the East and West ridings of Yorkshire and parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire...
& East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
region, secured sponsorship from British Land
British Land
The British Land Company plc is one of the largest property development and investment companies in the United Kingdom. The firm switched to Real Estate Investment Trust status when REITs were introduced in the United Kingdom in January 2007. It is headquartered in London...
through St. Stephen's Hull
St. Stephen's Hull
St. Stephen's shopping centre, Hull opened on 20 September 2007 and today it attracts more than 10 million visitors a year. The shopping centre is a brownfield site development in the city centre of Kingston upon Hull, England. It cost £200 million to build and was a key development in the...
worth £5,000, which was renewed in 2011, reached the Top 100 Best Business Start-ups list in UK 2010 and formed a partnership with Arsenal FC operating Arsenal Soccer Schools, one of the world's largest soccer school programs across 21 countries.
Jim Harris, Centre Manager at St. Stephen's Hull
St. Stephen's Hull
St. Stephen's shopping centre, Hull opened on 20 September 2007 and today it attracts more than 10 million visitors a year. The shopping centre is a brownfield site development in the city centre of Kingston upon Hull, England. It cost £200 million to build and was a key development in the...
has given Gérard a glowing testimonial on the British Land
British Land
The British Land Company plc is one of the largest property development and investment companies in the United Kingdom. The firm switched to Real Estate Investment Trust status when REITs were introduced in the United Kingdom in January 2007. It is headquartered in London...
website saying "You only have to meet Gérard once to understand his enthusiasm, he is a local lad with great ideas and drive" adding "He works with local boys and girls and genuinely has their best interests and welfare at heart".
Not only has Jim given Gérard a good character reference, he has also added "He is also an inspirational speaker, impressing everyone he meets" with Jim offering a prediction for the future "Gérard is going to be the England football manager
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
before he is 50" with British Land
British Land
The British Land Company plc is one of the largest property development and investment companies in the United Kingdom. The firm switched to Real Estate Investment Trust status when REITs were introduced in the United Kingdom in January 2007. It is headquartered in London...
commenting saying "That's news many England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
fans might welcome after our recent World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
performance".
Gérard has featured in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
among seven of the best young entrepreneurs in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to promote student examples of entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
, connected to an article published ‘The age of the self starter’ which was based around entrepreneurial examples of successful twentysomethings who have each forged their own path in life having either dropped out, decided against or enrolled and graduated from university, with a reported one million young Britons currently out of work.
Achieving all of this, he was quickly recognized and named in the Northern Lights Top 50 list of the 'Top 50 brightest and most talented people in the North of England', compiled by ippr north which is the regional arm of the national Institute for Public Policy Research
Institute for Public Policy Research
The IPPR is the leading progressive think-tank in the UK. It produces research and policy ideas committed to upholding values of social justice, democratic reform and environmental sustainability. IPPR is based in London and IPPR North has branches in Newcastle and Manchester.It was founded in...
think-tank. This list was selected by directors of ippr, featuring one's to watch from the worlds of business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, academia
Academia
Academia is the community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research.-Etymology:The word comes from the akademeia in ancient Greece. Outside the city walls of Athens, the gymnasium was made famous by Plato as a center of learning...
, public service
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
, the arts
The arts
The arts are a vast subdivision of culture, composed of many creative endeavors and disciplines. It is a broader term than "art", which as a description of a field usually means only the visual arts. The arts encompass visual arts, literary arts and the performing arts – music, theatre, dance and...
and social and community action, with Gérard joining Andy Clarke, CEO of Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
among those named. Ed Cox, director of ippr north, said: "Our Northern Lights list shines the spotlight on upcoming stars from politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
to poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
to Lindisfarne" with Mr Cox continuing to say "We want to celebrate the best and boldest and shirk any notion of it being grim up North", adding "We think the North should be leading, not pleading, it's the way to renewed prosperity and so we must develop and hold on to the talented individuals who can lead the Northern renaissance".
To add to his personal and business achievement, GSF which Gérard established at the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
's Enterprise Centre, which was part-funded by Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward is the regional development agency for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the United Kingdom. It supports the development of business in the region by encouraging public and private investment in education, skills, environment and infrastructure...
, was named as one of Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward is the regional development agency for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of the United Kingdom. It supports the development of business in the region by encouraging public and private investment in education, skills, environment and infrastructure...
's 'Success Stories' for the Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
and Humber
Humber
The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal River Ouse and the tidal River Trent. From here to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between the East Riding of Yorkshire on the north bank...
region for its contribution to the region in becoming recognised as the 'North of England Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Football School'. which is joined by being named in the University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
's annual report for 2009-2010 as a 'Success Story' for 'Business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
Competitiveness
Competitiveness
Competitiveness is a comparative concept of the ability and performance of a firm, sub-sector or country to sell and supply goods and/or services in a given market...
and Innovation
Innovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
' .
Personal & Business Awards
- Northern Light's Top 50 (2011)
- Top 15 Young UK Entrepreneurs Watch List (2011)
- Future 100 Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2010)
- Top 100 Best Business Start-up (2010)
- Yorkshire Forward Success Story (2009)
- University of Hull Success Story for Business Competitiveness & Innovation (2009/10)
Other Activities
Gérard is a motivational speaker for youth having been awarded 'AmbassadorAmbassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
' status for Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
by Enterprise
Enterprise
Enterprise may refer to:-Economics and business:* A business* A company* Entrepreneurship, the practice of starting new organizations, particularly new businesses* Enterprise Architecture...
UK, national campaign
Campaign
Campaign may refer to:*Advertising campaign*Military campaign*Political campaign*Advocacy or Advocacy group, relating 'campaigning' on an issue -Gaming:...
to increase enterprising behaviour and entrepreneurialism among people in UK, chaired by leading entrepreneur Peter Jones
Peter Jones
Peter Jones or Pete Jones may refer to:*Peter Jones , English actor*Peter Jones , Australian rules footballer for Carlton...
alongside being a Youth Board member for icould.com, is a free, independent online portal and support network for people who have a desire to change their future, offering people of all ages ideas, direction, inspiration and hope for their futures which is founded by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation, is the independent, charitable organisation dedicated to career development and active, career-related learning.
Alongside speaking, he has been interviewed by a weekly coaching magazine called 'Soccer Coach Weekly' by offering his opinions on coaching methods to help those interested in working with youngsters.
Coaching career
Alongside running his own football coaching business, Gérard has been a Director for Arsenal Soccer Schools in the HumbersideHumberside
Humberside was a non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in Northern England from 1 April 1974 until 1 April 1996. It was composed of land from either side of the Humber Estuary, created from portions of the East and West ridings of Yorkshire and parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire...
& East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
and coach for Arsenal Soccer Schools in South Italy
South Italy
South Italy is one of the five official statistical regions of Italy used by the National Institute of Statistics , a first level NUTS region and a European Parliament constituency. South Italy encompasses six of the country's 20 regions:*Abruzzo...
having previously worked with Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
Centre of Excellence coaching the U15s & U16s, Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
Centre of Excellence working with the U16s, East Riding County Football Association
East Riding County Football Association
The East Riding County Football Association is the governing body of football in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the city of Hull, England. The East Riding runs a number of county cup competitions at different levels for its affiliated teams....
coaching Girls development programs, University of Hull
University of Hull
The University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
football teams, Halifax Town Centre of Excellence working with the U12s and finally scouting for Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
Centre of Excellence.
External links
- Gérard Jones, LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a business-related social networking site. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. , LinkedIn reports more than 120 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories. The site is available in English, French,...
- Gérard School of Football website
- Arsenal Soccer Schools Humberside & East Yorkshire website