THE winner of the 13th Thurrock's Next Top Boss programme has been announced at a hybrid awards ceremony this afternoon (Thursday, 23 March).

This year, eight Thurrock schools, responded to a business challenge set by c2c, to consider how the rail operator might increase community support with a £50,000 budget and a range of impacts to be considered.

Team C2Sanitary from Grays Convent was announced as the winner, and team SIBJAMZ from St Clere's in Stanford-le-Hope was runner up.

C2Sanitary proposed a free eco-friendly sanitary product vending machine is stored in all c2c train station toilets where a code is generated from an app to access the items free of charge.

SIBJAMZ proposed a c2c puzzle pursuit challenge across Thurrock, encouraging people to use the trains more and bringing primary schools together to design the artwork for the challenge and connecting all of the Thurrock c2c stations into the campaign.

Rob Mullen, Managing Director c2c, said: "When we were approached to support this initiative it was a no brainer - this programme is at the heart of Thurrock's local community and we're incredibly proud to have been a part of something with such an important focus and impressive legacy.

"The judging process was tough - we saw some fantastic entries offer a wide variety of solutions to the challenges and opportunities on the railway. It was really inspiring to see how different perspectives generated such a range of ideas. Ultimately, our winners presented a brilliant solution to a challenge that really impacts our communities.

The runners up from St Clere's.

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"We have made a pledge, to work with the runner up and winning teams to bring their ideas to life and look forward to working with them and sharing their stories."

Cllr Barry Johnson, cabinet member for children's services, said: "Being involved in the judging of this year's Thurrock's Next Top Boss and attending today's hybrid award event has made me so proud.

"The ideas from all of the young people who have taken part this year were amazing, so much time and attention was taken in their submissions.

"In fact, at one point in the judging room we were figuring out if we could justify more than one winner!

"Taking part in Thurrock's Next Top Boss helps young people to develop lots of different skills such as planning, problem solving, organising and budgeting because they are responding to a real business challenge.

"It is amazing that c2c have pledged to work with the runner up and winning teams to bring their ideas to life, I can't wait to follow their journey.

"Thank you and congratulations to the students from the eight schools across the borough who took up the challenge this year and to c2c for being the business partner."