Entrepreneur glides into top spot at BYPY
THE first contender from the entrepreneurial category was crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year at the event’s 10th anniversary awards ceremony.
James Villarreal, left, co-founded Glide Utilities in 2006 with his business partner Sandeep Krishan to offer a solution to splitting costs in shared accommodation by billing each tenant individually.
The 24-year-old beat five other category winners at the ICC last night to be crowned the city’s overall young professional of the year.
Tim Nutbeam, director with Moo Moo Youth Marketing, received a special commendation in the entrepreneurial category form the judging panel, this year chaired by Michelin starred chef Glynn Purnell.
The other category winners on the night were:
Communications
Katie Banks, right, of Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham
Financial
Simon O’Neill of Ernst and Young
Legal
Matthew Heaton of Pinsent Masons
Property and Construction
Paul Dalton of MACE Group
Recruitment and Training
Joel Graham-Blake, right, of Cultiv8 Solutions
Bernard Shepherd, consultant at law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing, picked up the Inspiring Leader 2010 award.
Amanda Porter, chairman of Birmingham Future and senior solicitor at Mills and Reeve, said: “All of the judges were really impressed with James’ drive and his enthusiasm for enterprise.
“He is a great role model for young people in the region and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does during his year as BYPY 2010.
“There were some really talented finalists this year and the entrepreneurial category was particularly impressive, which is why we decided to publicly commend a finalist who hadn’t won for the first time in the awards’ history.”
Darren Walker, chairman of the BYPY committee and an associate at law firm Cobbetts, added: “It is fitting that as BYPY celebrates its 10th anniversary we are also celebrating the first ever winner to come from the entrepreneurial category.
“The awards this year really were a night to remember and I’m excited about what could be in store for BYPY during the next 10 years.”
