NW business figures recognised in national campaign
Twelve business figures from the North West feature in an annual campaign by business adviser Grant Thornton aimed at highlighting leading lights in their fields.
The firm identifies, and brings together, 100 progressive leaders across private, public and third sectors that demonstrate excellence in two or more of the following areas:
- Growth – fostering a culture of growth, job creation and leading their organisation into new markets
- Innovation – solving problems, leaders whose products or services are disrupting the sector and challenging the status quo
- Purpose – investing in their workforce, connecting financial profit to social purpose and contributing to the wider community
The Faces of a Vibrant Economy are selected from across the UK and represent diverse sectors and industries.
Among them are business leaders, entrepreneurs, local government innovators and third sector trailblazers – recognised for their commitment to developing an economy that enables people, organisations and communities to flourish.
The 12 North West inspiring business leaders are:
Vikas Shah, CEO of Swiscot Group
Jayne Hynes, CEO of Kiddyum
Lou Cordwell, CEO and founder of Magnetic North
Sandy Lindsay, CEO and founder of Tangerine Communications
Sara Prowse, CEO of Hotter Shoes
Dean Ward, co-founder and chief technical officer of Evoke Creative
Matt Haworth, co-founder of Reason Digital
Jo Morphee, director of Liverpool Girl Geeks
Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors
Ed Salt, MD of Delamere Dairy
Louis-James Davis, CEO and founder of VST Enterprise
Jen Atkinson, CEO of ITC Travel
Steve Byrne, of Travel Counsellors, said: “It’s both fantastic and humbling to be part of a business that puts people at the heart of everything it does.
Steve Byrne
“The team at Travel Counsellors have built a community that empowers each member of the organisation, at every level, to set goals, aim high and be the very best they can be.
“Our business model enables talented professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit to build and grow their own corporate and leisure travel businesses, using our tools, technology and support to offer their customers truly bespoke travel experiences.
“As leaders it’s both inspiring and a real pleasure to witness the people in our company community grow their businesses and flourish as individuals, too.”
Sara Prowse, of Hotter Shoes, said: “It is an honour to be part of such an inspiring group of people who are committed to
developing an economy that enables people, organisations and communities to flourish.
Sara Prowse
“We’ve been the UK’s biggest shoe maker since 2010 with 40% of total shoes made in the UK today manufactured in our factory in
Skelmersdale.
“We work hard at Hotter to engage and develop our staff, we have a keen eye on the future of our business and we understand our success firmly rests with investment in our people and fostering a culture of growth.”
Sacha Romanovitch, chief executive at Grant Thornton UK, said: “At Grant Thornton we know that doing well by doing good makes business sense and believe that leaders embracing this ethos deserve to be championed.
“That’s why we launched the Faces campaign – to celebrate individuals who exemplify the Vibrant Economy movement, which aims to shape an environment where people, organisations and communities thrive.
“From jet aircraft manufacturers, farmers, local government leaders, dance school principals, our Faces share the same commitment to make a positive impact.
“For many of these leaders, clear purpose is the North Star, helping them to navigate and make the right decisions in the longer term.
“Being purpose-led in this way involves a fundamental mind-set shift from ‘what I can do’, towards ‘what we collectively can do’.”
She added: “By celebrating these remarkable leaders, we recognise their role in developing a more purposeful and innovative business environment.”
The 2018 Faces have become part of a wider community that is now 300-strong.
