Entrepreneur of the Year finalists announced
ERNST & YOUNG has announced that 17 people from 14 North West businesses have been shortlisted for its Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2009.
A total of 43 business leaders are in the running for the title Ernst & Young North & Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year, which will be announced at an event in Manchester in June.
North West finalists include executives from Manchester-based NCC Group, Pentagon Chemicals Ltd of Workington, Skelmersdale enterprise Salads to Go and Blackpool-based Tangerine Confectionery.
Simon Allport, senior partner at Ernst & Young, said: “The finalists are fine examples of businesses that are picking up market share and succeeding despite economic adversity.
“We have been greatly impressed by how swiftly the finalists have responded to the rapidly changing market, strategically creating sustainable streams of revenue to build their business. These entrepreneurs are making quick decisions to respond to market conditions such as, clamping down on cash flow where business is slow and taking advantage of the opportunities that turbulent times present.
“For policy makers, encouraging our entrepreneurs to drive innovative new businesses forward will be the key to boosting the economy. It has never been more important to recognise the achievements of our entrepreneurial community in the North West.”
The North & Midlands independent judging panel includes Vanda Murray, deputy chairman of NWDA and non-executive director of Carillion; John Brown, non-executive director of Norcros Holdings; Carl Wormald, director at Lloyds TSB Development Capital; Matthew Riley, chief executive of Daisy Communications and Michael Humphrey, chief executive of Croda International.
The North West finalists are:
Darren Morris, managing director of All Facility Services plc based in Bolton – mechanical, electrical and fire engineers.
Nick Snelson, managing director of Allied Publicity Services based in Cheadle Heath – manufactures and provides print management solutions.
Steve Dalton and Bob Savage, directors of Building Automation Solutions based in Altrincham – assist companies to reduce their energy bills.
Peter Drummond, chief executive, and David Cash, international development director, of Business Design Partnership based in Manchester – architects.
David Cartmell, chief executive of BWA Water Additives UK based in Manchester – suppliers of speciality chemicals to the water treatment industry.
Danniel and Mark Schweiger, directors of Character World based in Cheadle – licensed household toys.
Alan Firth, executive chairman of Meridian Healthcare, based in Hyde – provider of residential and nursing care centres.
Rob Cotton, chief executive of NCC Group plc, based in Manchester – provider of independent IT assurance, security and consultancy services.
Allan Laing, chief executive of Pentagon Chemicals, based in Workington – process development and manufacturing services providers to speciality and fine chemicals customers.
Stephan Hughes, chief executive of Promotion Space Group, based in Wilmslow – promotion space provider.
Julie Bolton, commercial director of Salads to Go, based in Skelmersdale – salad cultivators.
James Spencer, chairman of Spencer Commercial Property Limited, based in Liverpool – property investor and developer.
Steven Joseph, chairman of Tangerine Confectionery, based in Blackpool – manufacturer of confectionery.
Ian Wilson, chief executive of WFEL, based in Stockport – bridges for military and civil emergency operation.
