Ernst & Young announces Midlands judges for Entrepreneur Of The Year
LEADING business figures in the Midlands have been announced as part the independent judging panel searching for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year.
Kevin Oakes, CEO of Steelite, winner of Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2012 is part of a nine-strong panel, looking to find his successor.
Former winners of the contest include: Hilary Devey, star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den, Richard Harpin, of Homeserve, David Suddens, of R Griggs Group (Dr Martens), Tracy Lewis, of Eveden Group and Brian Stein, of Samworth Brothers.
Entries close on March 8 and the finalists for each region will be announced in April, with regional finals taking place in June across London and South, Midlands, the North and Scotland. Winners in the regions will then compete for the overall UK awards culminating in the final in October.
Last year’s overall UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award was won by Lance Uggla of global financial information services company Markit who will compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title in Monte Carlo in June.
The Midlands judging panel is part of an array of leading entrepreneurs, with Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of BAA and Invesys, heading up the panel in the UK.
The full list of judges in the Midlands is:
Peter Chinnery – Peter Chinnery Ltd
Alan Jackson – Intercity Telecom Ltd
Karen Lowthrop – Hill Holt Wood
Andrew Lyndon – Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Ltd
Mike McCollum – Dignity Plc
Kevin Oakes – Steelite International Holding Ltd
Paul Thandi – NEC Group Ltd
Jonnie Turpie – Maverick TV Ltd
Graham Whitworth – Sprue Aegis plc
Adrian Roberts, Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year Sponsor Partner, said: “The panel of judges reflects the strength and diversity of entrepreneurs and business leaders achieving growth and recognition across the region.
“I am sure that that year’s crop of entrants will continue to demonstrate to the judging panel the success that can be achieved despite the difficult economic backdrop. It is really important to celebrate this success as entrepreneurs are critical to help drive our region forward and will do so through their unique innovation, vision and determination.”
“At Ernst & Young, we have a long track record of recognising successful entrepreneurs in the Midlands and we are passionate about helping potential businesses grow their operations, regionally, nationally and internationally. We, like the judges, are excited at the prospect of meeting this year’s entrants,” he added.
