Jeweller Jessica Flinn receives royal seal of approval

The newly-launched Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards, held at the University of Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, are part of the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, bringing together the 10 Higher Education institutions from Yorkshire and the Humber to focus specifically on enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Jessica, who is 24 and has her own design studio in Sheffield’s historic Kelham Island Industrial Quarter, was nominated for the accolade by Sheffield Hallam University, where she studied for her degree in metalwork and jewellery.

The Duke himself presented Jessica and other finalists – all Yorkshire student and graduate entrepreneurs – with their awards, and there was also an opportunity to meet Hollywood star and university chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart.

“It was an extraordinary day and one that I still can’t believe,” said Jessica, who launched Jessica Flinn Design in 2011. “So much has happened in the past two years and this award proves to me that all the hard work has been worth it.”