This months speaker and venue details

City College Norwich is a highly successful college of higher and further education with approximately 14,000 students. The College has gone from strength to strength and has achieved record results with student success rates rising in recent years, reaching 75% last year (compared to a national average for comparable colleges of 71%).  The College makes a vital contribution to the local and regional economy, estimated to be worth around £100m to the Norfolk economy every year. The National Skills Academy for Financial Services, based at St
Andrew's House in the city centre, is also run by the College.

The Hotel School is one of the best places to study in the UK and has an impeccable reputation for training within the catering industry. Every year our students go on to gain top jobs across Norfolk and beyond. In 2002 the Hotel School was awarded Centre of Vocational Excellence status, in recognition of first-class teaching, superb facilities and highly successful partnerships with employers. Debut Restaurant, in which Hotel School students work as part of their training, offers outstanding food and silver service at bargain prices.

Yvonne Mason started her career as a secretary before moving on to work as the UK agent for a Spanish rubber manufacturer (at the same time she ran a catering company, wrote for a food magazine and taught people to ride horses!).  In 1988, following a suggestion from Shell, and recognising a market opportunity, she founded FenderCare.  Her vision and ability to identify new potential (in both people and markets) saw FenderCare grow from a company with 2 employees to one with 100 staff, 3 overseas regional offices and numerous bases around the world and a turnover of £30m+.  In 2005 she sold the company to James Fisher & Sons plc but retained her role as Chairman.  At the end of 2007 she took the decision to move on from  FenderCare and set about establishing The Mason Trust – a charity with the aim of inspiring the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk to reach their full potential by promoting a 'no limits' philosophy, encouraging confidence and self sufficiency in both their careers and lifestyle.