Be brave and go for it, says Fred Done
MASTER entrepreneur Fred Done has vowed to make his BetFred Group ‘bigger and better’, and that he is as hungry for success as ever.
Mr Done, 69, who received the award and effusive praise from Lord Browne the former boss of BP at the Entrepreneur of the Year ceremony in London on Monday night, revealed how he wakes at 4.30am most days to check trading figures, before beginning his working day.
His Warrington-based Betfred business – just one of his interests, which also include property, travel and employment – has just launched in Australia and is continuing to expand in the mobile gaming sector, he said.
Declaring himself “stunned” to have won the prestigious Ernst & Young award, he said: “Every day I wake up in the morning so excited. I am still really ambitious .
“I am lucky I have a great family and a great business and I am going to make the business bigger and better.”
Despite being in “the worst recession that has ever been”, he said there are still opportunities for growth, for those willing enough to take a risk.
“My message really is to go for it – don’t be afraid, there are fantastic opportunities out there.”
In receiving the national Manufacturing award, Tetrosyl chief executive Peter Schofield paid a moving tribute to his late father, Clifford, who founded the Bury-based business.
He also acknowledged the “tireless” contribution to the growth of the business by his senior team, and pledged to keep growing the company.
Driving further growth was also a theme for Ian Kelly, the chief executive of energy management company Matrix, the winner in the green technology category.
He told TheBusinessDesk.com: “Whilst we are in the midst of a difficult economic downturn, Matrix continues to be successful and deliver significant growth.
“Over the next two to three years, we will continue to expand our service capabilities to offer our customers an even greater level of service.
“This will be done through investment, strategic acquisition and the development of our people. The UK will remain our core market with overseas activity focused on supporting our existing client-base in new areas and territories.”
