Chartered surveyor Graham Varney, of Oxford builders Benfield & Loxley, has been named Young Enterprise Business Adviser of the Year for his help in leading a team from Oxford High School to the Innovation Awards national finals.

The students formed a company called Oxygen to sell limited edition prints of Oxford landmarks and a children’s guidebook called ‘Footsteps Through Oxford’.

It was one of 2,400 Young Enterprise companies established this year, each supported by a local business volunteer.

Mr Varney said: “The team made my job easy really, because they were fantastic. All I did was help them with aspects such as time management, helping them to spot market opportunities and encourage them to think anything is possible.

“Their commitment, creativity and teamwork was amazing. I am proud to have been their business advisor."

<<pic shows Graham Varney receiving the award from Hazel Garvey, director of business development for the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales>>