Two teams have progressed to the national finals of Universities Business Challenge (UBC) 2026, following a strong performance in the semi-finals.
Universities Business Challenge is a national, simulation-based competition in which undergraduate students act as a board of directors, making strategic decisions across areas including marketing, finance, operations and human resources to improve company performance.
During the semi-finals, students participated in a live business simulation, where they presented their strategies to judges, showcasing their ability to think strategically and collaborate effectively under pressure. The semi-finals also included a networking exercise, the creation of a poster, and the production of an advert for a luxury perfume brand.
One of the teams, which placed second, is made up of students from the BSc Finance & Data Analytics programme: Millie Szczerkowska, Rachel Beattie, Sophie Noble, Holly Kidd and Ben Jones.
Another Liverpool team, which placed third, includes BSc Accounting and Finance students Jack Lord, Louie Vaughan, Riyash Paul, Elijah Price and Khalid Patel.
Riyash Paul said:
“It was a long but rewarding day involving a live business simulation, strategic decision-making under pressure and presentations that really tested our ability to think clearly and work as a team. We’re proud to have reached the final and are excited for the next stage.”
The finals will take place at the University of Southampton later this month.
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