Ice cream boss Lambert scoops UK EY Entrepreneur award

THE boss of R&R ice Cream became the first Northern winner of the prestigious EY entrepreneur of the year award for a decade when James Lambert was unveiled at a dinner in London last night.

Mr Lambert went one better than Salford bookmaker Fred Done to win the overall UK title at the Park Lane Hilton.

He has built the Yorkshire-based business from a regional enterprise with a turnover of £250,000 to an international group with sales of nearly £750m and 3,000 employees.

R&R, based at Leeming Bar near Northallerton, is Europe’s largest private-label ice cream manufacturer. It has expanded through numerous acquisitions, most recently a £49m swoop for Frederick’s Dairies of Skelmersdale, and was the subject of a £715m buyout by French private equity firm PAI partners in April.

The judging panel, chaired by business grandee Sir Nigel Rudd, praised Mr Lambert’s “extraordinary vision and ambition”.

Sir Nigel added: “He has built a regional family business into a true global contender, through acquisition at home and abroad – he is even selling ice cream to Italy.”

Stuart Watson, UK Entrepreneur Of the Year Leader at EY, said: “James is a true British success story. With fantastic tenacity James has steered the company through some very challenging economic times, beating multinationals at their own game and transforming the industry.

“These awards celebrate the achievements of the UK’s finest entrepreneurs. All of our finalists demonstrate attributes that are much needed in business today – helping to drive employment, job growth and economic recovery.”

Mr Lambert will now go on to compete globally with more than 60 other country winners at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards in Monte Carlo next year.

The gala awards, hosted by Jeremy Vine, saw eleven other winners named on the night; with Travelex founder Lloyd Dorfman picking up the Master entrepreneur of the year award.

There was also a special Global achievement award made to Warren East and Mike Muller of ARM, the world’s largest semiconductor IP company. their story was hailed as an “inspiration” to all UK entrepreneurs.

* ENTREPRENEUR of the year James Lambert paid warm tribute to one of R&R Ice Cream’s founding figures, Jonathan Ropner, as he accepted his prestigious award last night.

Mr Ropner, a Yorkshire farmer, launched what was then called Richmond Foods in 1985 when he acquired a small local business and then hired Mr Lambert, a long-time associate and friend, to run it.

He died in February after a long battle with cancer and Mr Lambert praised him as a “true entrepreneur” and hailed his contribution to R&R’s success.

Having earlier won the award for Business and Consumer Products, he received a standing ovation at the awards on Park Lane when it was announced that he had taken the overall prize – and with it the chance to represent the UK at the World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo next year.

His advice to his peers was to: “never give up and plan ahead”. He said he would lead the £750m turnover business in its drive into new international markets such as the US and Middle East over the next five years.

He said he was inspired to lead a British business which is committed to growth and opportunity: “It is about filling space you never realised five years ago you could create.

“There is a place for us to grow and become an even bigger global business as we take advantage of opportunities in markets where space has been created by big business which has become slower and takes fewer risks.”

Earlier guest speaker Jose Maria Olazabal, the winning Ryder Cup captain, spoke about how self belief and tenacity were vital ingredients for him throughout his career.

“You have to believe that sooner or later things will change if you are having a difficult time, you have to keep working at it.”