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Entrepreneurial Teenager Presents Saving Scheme to the High Sherriff of the West Midlands

A pioneering scheme launched by a Coventry teenager to teach young people how to manage money and save for their futures has received its official launch in Coventry.

The High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Louise Bennett OBE DL, joined with the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr John McNicholas, city schoolchildren and other invited guests, to mark the launch of Skint2mint.

Skint2mint is the brainchild of Kennedy Campbell who aged 17 had been working towards a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in sport.

But a chance conversation with his grandmother during lockdown about the challenges facing her as an immigrant arriving in the UK from Jamaica changed the course of his future.

Kennedy’s grandmother had told him that she and other families arriving in the UK had used a pardner – a scheme in which they all collectively save a certain amount every month and then each month one person receives a share of the pardner.

With the challenges facing young people looking to invest in their first property Kennedy realised a similar scheme could be useful in helping to save a deposit for a property.

During their meeting Ms Bennett heard of the family’s journey which led to the formation of Skint2mint and about exciting plans for its development in the future.

Louise said, “Kennedy is an inspiring young individual who heard of his grandmother’s hardship and used this innovative solution to help many, many other young people.

“Skint2mint is an excellent project which sits perfectly with my own goals as the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, promoting entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for young people and helping to build a brighter future.

“His idea will I’m sure encourage many young people to start thinking about saving, investing and property earlier and show them how to start working towards their goals now.”

Kennedy added, “Nan told me what life was like when she came to the UK. I discovered that she and many families like hers had used a pardner to save money to get their first property.

“It was the only way they could save as immigrants. I thought this could really help young people like me.

“At school I struggled to find maths interesting and relevant. I want to change that experience for young people, so they can see how money, property and investments will impact their lives whatever age they are.”

Kennedy’s entrepreneurial flair has certainly not gone un-noticed. Skint2mint is supported by the Prince’s Trust, while Kennedy has been nominated Young Entrepreneur of the Year by a London-based business association. He has presented Skint2mint to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, and his story was picked up by the BBC and featured locally and nationally, including on BBC News and BBC Midlands Today. The Coventry Building Society has also named him a Future Ambassador.

It has proven such a success that Kennedy went on to launch his own podcast – Money Well Spent – which features guests speaking of their own experiences of money, including losing it on gambling or scams such as fake modelling agencies – as well as those who have spent it on things they are most passionate about, such as their bodies or animals.

He’s also created a card game – the A-Z of Money – which teaches young people about money, saving and investing.