Young Business Writer of the Year

The ifs Young Business Writer of the Year is an engaging competition open to all school and college students aged between 14 and 19. It enables teenagers to test their writing skills by writing a 1,000 word article with the headline: 'Bankers' rewards - asking for trouble?'

As well as the title 'ifs Young Business Writer of the Year' the winner will also receive a £500 cash prize. We are naturally keen for you to have the greatest chance of success in our annual ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition so we have put together a few useful hints and tips on how to succeed. Good luck!

Every year the ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition is judged by a business or financial journalist from a national newspaper. Past judges include Robert Cole from The Times (2007), James Daley from the Independent (2008) and Peter Taylor from The Daily Telegraph (2009). The 2009/2010 competition will be judged by the Financial Mail on Sunday Editor Lisa Buckingham.

Lisa will be awarding marks for demonstrating research, evaluation, analysis and written argument skills as well as for overall reporting style.

Lisa said, 'I am delighted to be judging the next ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition, especially given how topical the bankers' pay and bonuses question is. It is more important than ever that young people have an understanding of a broad range of financial issues and I am looking forward to reading the different views that teenagers might have about what is clearly a contentious issue.'

Rod McKee, Head of Financial Capability at the ifs School of Finance, added; 'The competition helps improve writing standards in general, assists in fostering an interest in business and finance, and also encourages students to think about what is a very important issue, especially given the current debate around bankers' rewards.'

The 2009/2010 competition has now closed for entries, and the winner will be announced shortly.