The Claude Littner Business Challenge Returns for a Second Year

Back in May, the Claude Littner Business Challenge returned for its second year, offering UWL postgraduate students a unique opportunity to put their skills to the test and build confidence, while competing for a share of the £15,000 prize.

Originally launched in 2025 by Sanaa Kazi, UWLSU’s VP for Activities and Participation, the challenge was designed to give students real business experience, inspired by The Apprentice.

This year's competition brought together 60 postgraduate students, including 50 students from the Claude Littner Business School and 10 students from other schools across the UWL. 

Following an introductory workshop, participants were divided into teams and challenged to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and think strategically across four competition days.

The Challenge Begins 

The journey began with a launch workshop in Freddie's, where students had the opportunity to meet each other and some of the judges, network with the judging panel, and listen to a briefing about the challenges to come.

Day One 

The competition officially began at the SMR Campus, where teams took on their first challenge: an investment challenge. Following this day, three teams were eliminated from the competition.

Day Two

The remaining teams returned for a second business challenge - involving branding, packaging, marketing & sales. Teams were given a product at random which they had to design and market. Staff and students around the university were given fake money to invest in whichever business they saw to be the most successful, with the teams with the most investments going through to the next round.

Day Three

The next challenge was a navigation and negotiation challenge around Ealing, where teams had to talk to staff from businesses to negotiate costs.

Day Four and the Grand Finale

The final day involved teams taking part in a pitch.

The first-place team received a total of £10,000, while the runners-up were awarded £5,000.

In addition to the team prizes, the individual competitor judged to have made the most significant contribution throughout the challenge was awarded an exclusive mentoring session with Claude Littner.

Competing through the Heat

Over two full-on weeks, participants navigated multiple business challenges while also navigating their way around Ealing during a heatwave. Despite the conditions, students showed their resilience, professionalism, creativity and determination.

Team Five were the overall winners of the 2026 Claude Littner Business Challenge, with Team One coming second.

Thank you to everyone who helped!

The success of the Claude Littner Business Challenge would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the following people:

• Claude Littner, main sponsor and project mentor

• The challenge's judging panels

• The dedicated event aides

• Sanaa Kazi, who created the original concept for the challenge

• The Business Society, who organised and delivered the event

• Paul Byrne, lecturer at the Claude Littner Business School, for his support throughout the challenge

• UWLSU staff members including Olga Mamcic, Laura Townend, Callie Jewel, Namira Shrestha and Siddarth Sehtya

Sanaa Kazi reflected on the impact of the challenge and the achievements of the students involved:

"The Claude Littner Business Challenge returned for its second year, and I honestly couldn't be prouder of how it turned out. It continues to be one of our most engaging and exciting initiatives, giving students the opportunity to lead and tackle real-life business challenges, develop valuable skills, and work alongside industry leaders.

This year concluded with students competing for and receiving a total prize fund of £15,000, and it was amazing to witness the talent, resilience, and creativity shown throughout the competition. Seeing students grow in confidence and make the most of such a unique opportunity made all the hard work worthwhile."

The second year of the Claude Littner Business Challenge once again showcased the talent, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit of UWL's postgraduate community. As students developed valuable employability skills, built lasting connections, and gained hands-on business experience, the challenge reinforced its position as one of UWLSU's most exciting and impactful student opportunities."

With another successful year completed, the challenge continues to provide an inspiring platform for future business leaders to learn, compete, and thrive.