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Harry first started drawing ships whilst he was still at school, where one of the many GCSE subjects he studied was art. His artistic skills only improved more so over time as he continued to draw.
As a teenager, Harry had the ambition to become a naval architect and design his own ships. In May 2009, Harry had his first large-scale drawing presented on board Holland America Line's Eurodam at Harwich International Port. This was to be the first of many more presentations to come. Upon finishing secondary school in 2010 Harry went on to study at the Sixth Form College, Colchester where he studied AS level business studies amongst a number of other subjects. It was whilst he was studying here that he set up the Dream Designs Colchester website, showcasing his own designs and drawings. However it was here where Harry opted to pursue a career in business rather than ship design. After successfully completing his first year at the Sixth Form College, Colchester, Harry went on to study a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business at Colchester Institute, completing the course in June 2013 and achieving the highest possible grade. |
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Having done so well at college, in September 2013 began studying BA (Hons) Cruise Industry Management at Southampton Solent University. Unfortunately this was not to be and Harry only completed the first semester, leaving to pursue his passion and aim of setting up his own business. At this time, at the age of only 19, Harry had already visited over 50 ships.
In March 2014, Harry began working with the Prince's Trust, a youth charity that helps change young lives. Harry attended a four day course on the Explore Enterprise Programme which included topics such as marketing and selling, business plan topics and structure, and skills to run a business. In June 2014, the Prince's Trust allocated Harry his own personal Business Mentor, who provided him with a wealth of knowledge, support and advice.
Whilst continuing to work with the Prince's Trust, in July 2014 Harry was offered a place on the Apprenticeship scheme, as an Administrative Apprentice at MS-UK, a charity which provides support to anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis and is based in Colchester.
Less than a year after first connecting with the Prince Trust, in January 2015, Harry was successful awarded £1,000 grant funding from the Prince's Trust and Essex County Council to officially set up his business, after pitching his business idea!
In March 2014, Harry began working with the Prince's Trust, a youth charity that helps change young lives. Harry attended a four day course on the Explore Enterprise Programme which included topics such as marketing and selling, business plan topics and structure, and skills to run a business. In June 2014, the Prince's Trust allocated Harry his own personal Business Mentor, who provided him with a wealth of knowledge, support and advice.
Whilst continuing to work with the Prince's Trust, in July 2014 Harry was offered a place on the Apprenticeship scheme, as an Administrative Apprentice at MS-UK, a charity which provides support to anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis and is based in Colchester.
Less than a year after first connecting with the Prince Trust, in January 2015, Harry was successful awarded £1,000 grant funding from the Prince's Trust and Essex County Council to officially set up his business, after pitching his business idea!
In March 2015, the Cruise Cotterill website was officially launched, and since then Harry's talent for producing one-of-a-kind drawings of the world's cruise ships and other craft has become increasingly talked about around the world. His website and blog, Cruise Cotterill, is listed in the world's top 50, and is nominated for the cruise awards year after year. In 2018 Cruise Cotterill was shortlisted for 'Favourite Cruise Blogger' in the World of Cruising's Cruise Awards in the UK.
In 2019, Harry returned to university, this time putting his brain to even more challenging pursuits and enrolling on an undergraduate BSc Physics degree at Durham University, ranked 8th in the UK for physics! He has a number of other roles both within the university and physics, including being part of the diversity and inclusion committee at the Institute of Physics in London. Harry also worked for Colchester City Council as a research assistant, helping to monitor and reduce pollution in the city centre. He continues to operate his business and produce his detailed artwork part-time alongside his studies and other commitments.
To date, Harry's artwork has now been presented on board no less than 100 different ships! He has been commissioned to produce his highly detailed one-of-kind drawings by clients all over the world, as well as cruise lines including Azamara Cruises and Ambassador Cruise Line. His artwork has become so popular he currently has clients securing commissions many months in advance!
In 2019, Harry returned to university, this time putting his brain to even more challenging pursuits and enrolling on an undergraduate BSc Physics degree at Durham University, ranked 8th in the UK for physics! He has a number of other roles both within the university and physics, including being part of the diversity and inclusion committee at the Institute of Physics in London. Harry also worked for Colchester City Council as a research assistant, helping to monitor and reduce pollution in the city centre. He continues to operate his business and produce his detailed artwork part-time alongside his studies and other commitments.
To date, Harry's artwork has now been presented on board no less than 100 different ships! He has been commissioned to produce his highly detailed one-of-kind drawings by clients all over the world, as well as cruise lines including Azamara Cruises and Ambassador Cruise Line. His artwork has become so popular he currently has clients securing commissions many months in advance!
