One of the region's most successful entrepreneurs is going back to school this week to share the secrets that have secured him international success.

Simon Needham, co-founder and group creative director of brand communications company ATTIK, is taking part in the Design Council's Designers into Schools Week, aimed at raising the profile of design and design-thinking in secondary schools.

Simon returned to his former school, Whitcliffe Mount in Cleckheaton, yesterday to talk to year ten students, pictured, giving them tips on how to succeed in the commercial world.

The Design Council's initiative was a direct response to OFSTED conclusions that 'making' skills continue to be better than designing skills among design and technology students. The Design Council believes there is a need to increase emphasis on the design process in the teaching of design and technology and bringing designers into schools can help address this.

Simon and co-founder James Sommerville - who visited Shelley High School in Huddersfield - are two of seven designers taking part in this region. The pair know first-hand the difficulties people face when they enter the working world, but are also aware of the success that setting out on your own can bring.

ATTIK, which began life with a £1,000 grant from the Prince's Trust in James's grandmother's attic in Huddersfield, is now a global success story, with offices in Huddersfield, London, New York, San Francisco and Sydney.

"When I was at school nobody explained to me the variety of options open to you when you have a fine art or design qualification," said Simon. "Design enters every facet of daily life and as such you can use a talent in this field as a springboard into practically any sector.

"These students are also in a fantastic position studying in Yorkshire. The region has one of the fastest growing creative industries in the country and projects like this are a great way of harnessing that talent for the region's future."

Hilary Cottam, Learning and Public Services Director at the Design Council said: "We believe that both teachers and pupils stand to benefit enormously from coming into contact with professional designers and the experience and skills they bring with them.

"Hopefully many of the links established during Designers into Schools Week will develop into longer-term relationships.