Rishi wowed by Surrey's young entrepreneurs

Rishi and Akshata stopped by to chat to every young entrepreneur, testing their numbers and buying their products.

placeholder image — Rishi and Akshata stopped by to chat to every young entrepreneur, testing their numbers and buying their products.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty Champion Everyday Maths with Young Entrepreneurs at the Guildford Children’s Business Fair

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty spent time with young entrepreneurs at the Children’s Business Fair UK (CBFUK) Pop-Up to mark National Numeracy Day, which takes place on Wednesday 21st May.

The event, held on Guildford’s Friary St Rotunda, brought together 15 young local entrepreneurs, aged 9 - 17. Each launching their own micro-businesses, they set prices, calculated costs and sold directly to customers. The visit highlighted how experiences like these bring numeracy to life in a powerful, everyday context.

National Numeracy Day, launched by the charity National Numeracy, is the UK’s only awareness day dedicated to everyday maths. This year’s theme (The Money Edition) was clearly on display as the couple bought from each stall, hearing the stories behind each business, and asked the young founders how they tackled profit, planning and pricing.

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty joining 15 young entrepreneurs at the Children's Business Fair

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty said:

“It was fantastic to spend time with so many young entrepreneurs at the Children’s Business Fair. We were incredibly impressed by their confidence in numbers and enjoyed learning about how they make their businesses successful. It was the perfect way to highlight National Numeracy Day and each of them proved that knowing your numbers adds great value to everyday life, it’s not all about classroom maths, it can be about making and selling products and having fun!”

One parent, watching their child serve a customer, captured the spirit of the day:

“I watched as my 12-year-old, whilst gathering a paper bag and chatting to the customer, quickly calculated and counted out the correct change. She had no idea that she was in the most exciting maths lesson of her life. No worksheets, no abstract situations and more motivation than could ever be provided in a classroom. It was learning at its purest and it was exhilarating to watch.”

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty join Children's Business Fair founder, Sam Rogerson

Sam Rogerson, founder of the Children’s Business Fair UK, said:

“After 40 Surrey-based events, this is not just a milestone moment for the Children's Business Fair, it’s also a powerful one for the 15 brilliant young entrepreneurs who took part. To be seen, heard and supported by Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty sends a clear message: their ideas matter, their skills matter and their future in shaping the world has already started. We couldn’t be more proud. Thank you Guildford for such a warm welcome.”