EnterPrize Award winners announced
THE THREE winners of the fifth East Manchester EnterPrize Awards for local businesses were announced at a ceremony at Gorton Monastery in Manchester last Thursday evening.
The awards, which were organised by urban regeneration company New East Manchester and funded alongside the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Manchester City Council, saw three winners picked from the shortlist of six to receive cash prizes of £3,000 each.
Moreover, overall winner 4D Creative received an extra £7,000 which will be spent buying software and securing intellectual property rights for its products. The company, which is based at Hope Mill in Ancoats, was set up earlier this year by Ben Willetts and Cathy Cross – both of whom have experience in stage lighting.
They install immersive learning spaces in primary and secondary schools using light, sound, projection and space. The company’s turnover has reached £500,000 within six months and it is now looking to set up a service for hospitals.
Carol Bartram, New East Manchester’s head of economic development, said: “I really believe 4D Creative are going to be world leaders in their field. The way Ben and Cathy run their business is exemplary, with excellent cash flow and currently £500,000 of orders on their books.
“They have grown their staff from two to seven in the past six months and also use local suppliers for installation work, creating further job opportunities.”
Lee Gilbert and Glen Kirk were jointly named Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Their Gorton-based business, Key for the City, is a lifestyle membership discount card which currently has around 90 businesses signed up.
The Rising Star award was given to 32 year-old Richard Salisbury who founded Pedal Precision. Salisbury is a trained physiotherapist who advises cyclists on avoiding injury and fits bikes to order. He acts as a physio and bike fitter to the British Cycling team based at Manchester’s Velodrome.
