Four young Cumbrians have been given the chance to learn from business "gurus" after winning a competition to join a well-known professional organisation.

Georgia Howard, Tom Wright, Georgina Goulding and Tony Lister won a year-long sponsored membership of the Institute of Directors as part of a competition run in collaboration with the Centre for Leadership Performance earlier this year.

The membership has brought them into contact with top businessmen and women while taking part in Cumbria IoD events and activities including the national student IoD conference.

They will also interact with the IoD 'Guru Panel' who offer expert one-to-one support and mentoring.

IoD student membership also includes access to an online placements and internships noticeboard and the members only LinkedIn group offering the opportunity to network with students and business leaders.

They will also be eligible to attend events once the coronavirus lockdown eases.

Georgia Howard, 21, is in her third year at the University of Leeds studying biology with enterprise and is nearing the end of a year in industry with a biotech company in Cambridge.

She is currently working from home in Coniston.

Georgia said: “It is important to learn from different leaders and understand their styles of leadership and the experiences that have shaped them.

"The IoD membership enables me to broaden my networks and in particular takes me outside the university environment so that I can have meaningful contact with the business community.”

George Beveridge, Cumbria IoD’s ambassador for leadership, education, skills and apprenticeships, said: “The IoD in Cumbria is keen to encourage diversity and involve more young people in our activities.

"Working with the Centre for Leadership Performance gives us access to the ambitious students and graduates who will be our future leaders and directors.

“The IoD student membership is invaluable for anyone interested in business, whether they see themselves as potential corporate high-flyers, budding entrepreneurs or simply aim to get the best possible outcome from their time at university.”