Tableware chief named Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year
THE chief executive of a Staffordshire tableware manufacturer has been named as the Ernst & Young Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year. Kevin Oakes, of Steelite International Holdings, collected the award last night at a ceremony held at the Hyatt Hotel in Birmingham.
In a double celebration, Mr Oakes was also named the winner of the awards’ Business Products category.
The award judges described Steelite as “a truly international business” and a “great example of taking a traditional Potteries business and reinventing it”. They also praised his “calm, organised approach and innovation”.
The event, sponsored by Credit Suisse, celebrated leading entrepreneurs in the Midlands who have demonstrated the innovation, creativity and tenacity to succeed despite the tough economic environment. The awards ceremony was hosted by TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine.
Adrian Roberts, Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year Sponsor Partner, said: “At Ernst & Young, we have had a long track record of recognising successful entrepreneurs in the Midlands and this year, I have been really impressed with the diverse range of sectors represented by our finalists and the success contributed both locally and internationally.
“It’s really important to celebrate those entrepreneurs who are succeeding under the current pressures of a difficult economy. Through their unique innovation, vision and determination they are driving our region forward.
“We wish all of the Midlands winners well as they go on to compete in the UK final later in the year.”
The West Midlands category winners on the night were:
Construction and Building Products
Nick Rutter and Graham Whitworth, of Sprue Aegis, based in Coventry.
Manufacturing and Engineering
Leigh Robinson, Director of Trac Group, based in Birmingham.
Consumer Services
Tony Seaman, Sales & Marketing Director and Paul Stobbs, Managing Director, Attraction World, based in Birmingham and Oliver Ragg and Mike Tomkins, Co-founders and Directors of Top CashBack, based in Uttoxeter were joint winners in this category.
Power and Energy
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of OVO Energy, based in Cirencester.
Innovation
Richard North, CEO of Wow! Stuff, based in Wolverhampton.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Chris Sutor, Managing Director of All Eco Energy based in Redditch.
Social Enterprise
Sheila Brown, Chief Executive of Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, based in Cannock.
All of the winners will now represent the Midlands at the UK finals, alongside the other regional winners.
A special Midlands region award was also given to Jayne Cresswell and Jayne Hulbert, Directors of The Sweet Project, based in Birmingham. The judges they were impressed by the pair, adding that they were “true, genuine social entrepreneurs”.
The independent judging panel comprised: John Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Manganese Bronze, Bridget Blow, Non Executive Chairman of Harvard International, Martin Kinsella, Chief Executive Officer of P3, Mike Lord, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive officer of JSJS Designs, Garry Metcalfe, Chief Executive Officer of Inviron, Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis Partnership, and Ian Wakelin, Chief Executive Officer of Biffa Group.
