Shortlist announced for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards
THE founders of Leeds success story Red’s True Barbecue, a director of a soup making company and the boss of an automated loan management software provider are among the Yorkshire finalists of the EY North of England Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards 2016.
The finalists represent businesses that are headquartered in Yorkshire and the Humber, which span a range of sectors, from logistics to catering to technology and together turnover over £1.7bn and employ over 12,000 people in the region.
This year’s Yorkshire finalists are:
Andrew Cawthray, chairman and CEO, soft drinks manufacturer Cawingredients, Northallerton
Adele Ashley, founder and CEO, healthy eating chain Filmore & Union, Wetherby
Dawn Hanulla, director, Harehills Community Interest Co, Leeds
Nick Jones, group CEO, supply chain management provider Ligentia Group, Leeds
Richard Carter, CEO, loan management software provider Nostrum Group, Harrogate
Rachel Beverley-Stevenson, CEO, primary healthcare property development specialist OneMedicalGroup, Leeds
James Douglas and Scott Munro, co-founders, restaurant chain Red’s True Barbeque, Leeds
Carl Cavers, CEO, development studio Sumo Digital, Sheffield
Matt Turner, group CEO, restaurant discount club, tastecard, Huddersfield
Belinda Williams, founder and director, soup maker Yorkshire Provender, Leeming Bar
The 11 entrepreneurs will join leaders from 33 other businesses from across the North of England to compete in the North of England final on June 21 2016 at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester.
Winners from regional finals in Scotland, North of England, Midlands, London and South will then go on to vie for the title EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2016 overall winner, at a ceremony in London in October and the chance to represent the UK at EY’s World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Monte Carlo in 2017.
Chairing the North of England judging panel for the first time is Marnie Millard, group CEO of global soft drinks business Nichols – purveyors of the famous Vimto brand. Other judges include fast fashion entrepreneur Nitin Passi, founder and CEO of Missguided; Rachel Clacher, co-founder and director of the telephone answering services provider Moneypenny; and Peter Roberts, founder and director of Pure Gym.
Catherine Reid of EY said: “Our 2016 finalists are all outstanding entrepreneurs, who have developed strong and often differentiated propositions. They have driven the expansion of their companies through robust management with a clear focus.
“Investment in technology, innovation and domestic and international expansion are just some of the ways these entrepreneurs are growing their businesses and positioning themselves for even more growth over the years ahead. These dynamic, fast growing companies – and the people behind them – are vital to Yorkshire’s national and global competitiveness, and these awards rightly recognise their success.”
Stuart Watson, Yorkshire Senior Partner at EY, added: “The 2016 finalists are great examples of men and women who are visionaries; finding ways to do things better. With a record number of nominations this year, finalists cut across the technology, retail, food, financial services, and consumer products sectors, amongst others.
“Our awards programme will celebrate the full spectrum of entrepreneurial achievement from new market entrants, disrupting the sectors they operate in, through to more established businesses that continue to demonstrate strong growth as leading players in their market.
“Where there is uncertainty, there is change, and these entrepreneurs see change as an opportunity to innovate and grow their business. According to our survey, 90% expect their profits to grow by 2018, with 53% forecasting growth greater than 10% for their business. In addition, 93% of our Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni said they planned to take on new hires before the end of this year, with a fifth looking to create more than 50 jobs.”
