Sweet 16 in line for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards 2017

Steve Bartlett

Sixteen business leaders from across the North West have been listed as finalists in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 programme.

Representing a range of sectors, the entrepreneurs will be joined by 12 other leaders from across the North of England at a regional awards event to be held on June 20.

The North West finalists by category are:
•    Disruptor category: Neil Clark, commercial director and Dean Ward, technical director, Evoke Creative Ltd
HQ: Wirral, Cheshire
Evoke Creative designs and manufactures interactive digital solutions for major blue-chip clients including JD Sports, Debenhams, Google and McDonald’s. These solutions include self-service kiosks, video walls, digital signage, information points, payment terminals and interactive experiences.

•    Disruptor: Steve Bartlett, chief executive and Dominic McGregor, chief operations officer, Social Chain
HQ: Manchester
Social Chain is a social marketing agency which works with clients on developing their marketing strategies.

•    Disruptor: Marc Goldberg, Commercial chief executive, Together
HQ: Cheadle, Greater Manchester
Together is a specialist lender that provides short-term finance, auction finance, residential, commercial and buy-to-let mortgages and secured loans.

•    Disruptor: Glenn Timms, chief executive, IESA
HQ: Warrington, Cheshire
IESA is a growing supply chain business working with manufacturing and process organisations, and provides an integrated service spanning procurement, finance and operations, delivered through a cloud enabled and award winning technology platform.

•    International: Mark Clegg, managing director, ATG Access Limited
HQ: Haydock, Merseyside
ATG Access is a world leading manufacturer of vehicle barrier systems which include high security bollards, barriers, road blockers and gates; traffic management systems and simple telescopic bollards. ATG Access has manufacturing facilities in 5 countries and exports to over 42 countries worldwide.

•    International: Mark Luby, managing director, Luby Group (UK) Limited
HQ: Manchester
European Braking Systems (EBS), a division of Luby Group (UK) Limited operates as an independent wholesaler and distributor of air brake systems & vehicle control components. EBS has a UK distribution centre and manufacturing plant in China, which it uses to serve an international customer base across Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa.

•    International: Philip Hulme, managing director, Qualtex UK Ltd
HQ: Denton, Manchester
Manchester based Qualtex was established in the North of England in 1961 and today ranks as one of the leading British Spares manufacturers in the UK.

•    Master: Christopher Swallow, joint managing director, Creamline Dairies Limited
HQ: Manchester
Creamline started life more than 70 years ago offering traditional dairy doorstep deliveries.  Creamline today is a local grocery delivery service, covering the North West, through offline and online channels.

•    Master: David Mottershead, managing director, The Little Green Paint Company Limited
HQ: Manchester
The Little Green Paint Company designs, manufactures and supplies paints and wallpapers for distribution across UK, EU and Russia.

•    Rising Star: Julian Smith,  managing director, Bathroom Takeaways
HQ: Trafford Park, Manchester

Bathroom Takeaway targets cost conscious customers. Bathroom Takeaway operates six different trading brands, across the EU, all utilising a common systems platform. The business has recently commenced its “clicks & bricks” strategy with its first “Takeaway” store opening in Manchester.

•    Rising Star: Tayyab Akhlaq, director, Public Desire
HQ: Manchester
Public Desire is a market leader in online, fast fashion footwear for cost conscious consumers. Public Desire ships products globally from its distribution centre in the UK.

•    Scale Up: John Russell, executive chairman, Fairhome Group PLC
HQ: Manchester
Fairhome Group PLC works with local authorities and care providers who have identified a requirement for supported living accommodation, enabling adults with learning or physical disabilities to live more independently within the community.

•    Transformational Leader: Garry Partington, chairman & founder, Apadmi Ltd
HQ: Manchester
Apadmi is the UK’s leading mobile app developer and ranks within the top 10 app developers globally. Apadmi focuses on strengthening brand advocacy and engagement for its clients through the development of robust, intuitive and award-winning mobile apps and server solutions in both the consumer and enterprise space.

•    Transformational Leader: Mark Gould, CEO Wholebake Limited
HQ: Corwen, Denbighshire, North Wales
Wholebake is a fast growing, innovative contract manufacturer of gluten free snacks. Its own brand, 9BAR, is stocked in over 18,000 points of distribution in the UK and exported to 15 countries.

Victoria Price, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year leader in the North, said: “The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme brings together the UK’s most innovative and forward thinking business leaders at events held up and down the country every year, where they can share knowledge and ideas, debate the challenges of the day, and form lasting contacts and even working partnerships.

“It serves to support the enviable entrepreneurial community we have in the UK and celebrate the contribution that it makes to the economy, creating wealth and hundreds of jobs.”

Now in its 31st year globally and 19th year in the UK, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises the spirit and contribution of exceptional entrepreneurs, running in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries worldwide.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year North of England judging panel will be chaired by Marnie Millard, Chief Executive Officer, Nichols.

She will be joined by: Jon Batson, joint managing director, Ralawise; Rachel Clacher, co-founder and director, Moneypenny; Richard Law, chief executive, GB Group; Chris Rea,  managing director, AESSEAL; Clare Roberts, chief executive, Kids Planet; Mark Senior, chief executive, Dock10; and Garry Wilson, executive chairman, Endless.

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