Pictured above: Tim Campbell

The first winner of BBC 1's The Apprentice will be giving advice on how to be a success in the board room to year 12 and 13 students from across the Midlands at a free event hosted by Birmingham City University.

Tim Campbell won the 2005 series of the gruelling TV competition and proceeded to work for Amstrad for two years, the company set up by the formidable Lord Alan Sugar, before setting up his own company.

He will be visiting Birmingham City University on Tuesday 10 May to encourage young people to consider a career in business. This is part of a special event, organised for local schools and colleges called: You're Higher-ed: Inspiration for young business minds: From classroom to boardroom. He will be talking about his experience of working in business, starring in BBC's The Apprentice, and setting up his own company.

After leaving Amstrad, Tim founded Bright Ideas Trust, a social enterprise which encourages young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to start business ventures. Set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC), the Trust gives young people greater access to start-up finance, real business mentors and professional services advisors. He said: "Children should learn in schools how to set up a business. The beauty of youth is that you have got no fear or responsibilities, and we need more young people coming up with business ideas." Alongside the Bright Ideas Trust, Tim also runs a profit-making consultancy.

The talk is part of a day dedicated to promoting business careers to young people. The University's Birmingham City Business School (BCBS) will be opening its doors to schools to give advice and information on topics such as applying to university, personal statements, and student finance. Current students will also be attending to give a first-hand perspective on higher education.

Director of Undergraduate Programmes at Birmingham City Business School, Professor Mike Jackson will introduce the event. He commented: "It is very exciting for us as a practice-based Business School to have Tim Campbell, who is seen as an ambassador for entrepreneurship in young people, as a guest speaker. This is a fantastic opportunity for Schools and Colleges, and I am expecting the event to be very well attended".

Birmingham City Business School is a leading practice-based business school with a strong focus on leadership. The school therefore regularly attracts high profile speakers, such as explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, former-Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and BSkyB head Jeremy Darroch. The school is linked to the real world of business and shares expertise with builders' merchants Jewsons, leisure company M&B and suppliers to national retailers such as Spar. 

Teachers who would like their students to attend can contact BCBS for more information on 0121 202 4680 or by emailing susan.wheeler@bcu.ac.uk.

Birmingham City University will be running a major awareness campaign in the Midlands to demonstrate how it is upgrading the future of individuals and companies.