Stobart’s Tinkler crowned Business Leader of the Year

THE boss of transport group Stobart has been named CBI North West Business Leader of the Year.

Andrew Tinkler said winning the title, at the CBI’s annual awards lunch in Manchester last week was a “special moment” as he paid tribute to his colleagues in the Cumbria-based rail. road, airports and warehousing company.

Mr Tinkler said:”This really is something special for the business as we approach our 40th anniversary. It’s not all about me though, it’s about the people in your business who are right behing you all the way.”

He said the fundmental disciplines he adheres to are  – knowing his customers, understanding costs and keeping a tight rein on them, and never being complacent.

PZ Cussons, the long-standing Manchester consumer products business was another winner. Its management team was named Board of the Year.

The award was collected by commercial director Chris Davies, who said: “This is for all of our 9,500 employees across four continents, who nhave delivered some fairly spectacular growth in the last few years.”

Mr Davies said PZ Cussons, the name behind Imperial Leather and most recently the San Tropez self-tanning brand, had grown its share price and risen 100 places in the FTSE rankings, and is now an established member of the FTSE 250.

Promethean World – the Blackburn-based interactive classroom technology specialist was named Emerging Company of the Year – the award was decided before Friday’s profit warning, which sparked a major fall in the company’s share price.

Around 300 business leaders from across the region attended the event at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.

Jim Martin, chairman of the judging panel said : “Despitethe difficult ecomnomic climate we have found a richness of talent in this highly successful region.”
Outspoken private equite investor Jon Moulton was the guest speaker.