Accident repair boss named funniest business person in Wolverhampton

Dawn Owen

The director of a Black Country accident repair business has been hailed as the funniest business person in Wolverhampton – no joke.

Dawn Owen, of BodyKraft, has beaten off competition from four other business leaders in the area to win the Wolverhampton Stand-Up Challenge.

Following months of secret rehearsals, the quintet took to the stage at Molineux Stadium to delight a 150-strong audience with their comedy routines.

Others taking part in the event were: Andy Cox, managing director at Cox & Plant; commercial director Jan Denning; Kevin Rogers, chief executive at Paycare and entrepreneur Malcolm Wright.

The Stand-Up Challenge, sponsored by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Black Country Business Festival, was organised as part of ‘Funny Things’ – a new festival celebrating Black Country humour.

Dawn Owen on stage at the event

Following the event, Ms Owen said: “I am totally blown away by the whole experience which has been absolutely amazing, right from initially agreeing (or being coerced) to take part, practicing my routine relentlessly to the cat, through to the second I walked off stage.

“I now have a bizarre mix of emotions swaying from wanting do it all over again right now, crossed with a strange longing to go and hide away in a very dark room.

“Seriously, though, I feel a real sense of achievement – it has been one of the wackiest yet most gratifying experiences of my life, and in the process, between us we have managed to raise thousands of pounds for a good cause and made some great friends in the process too.”

All proceeds from the challenge are going towards community interest company, Creative Black Country which works with local people to promote arts activity in the Black Country.

Sajida Carr, programme director from Creative Black Country said: “All the contestants were absolutely fabulous – we could be forgiven for thinking that they were professional comedians.

“This has been a great new initiative for the Black Country and one which will go down as one of the most innovative and entertaining. Creative Black Country is very excited to be involved in such interesting projects which make the most of the Black Country through arts and culture.”

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce said: “I am extremely proud that the Black Country Chamber continues to be at the forefront of such a successful and enjoyable event. The Black Country has a strong history in comedy and the Stand Up Challenge upholds this tradition, whilst raising money for Creative Black Country to further support arts, creative and culture.”

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