Ernst & Young launches hunt for Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year
ERNST & Young is to once again run its popular Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Midlands.
The competition returned to the region last year after a seven year absence and immediately proved a big hit.
The advisory firm is calling for nominations from business leaders in the region who have demonstrated entrepreneurial flair while growing or turning around the fortunes of their business in the UK or overseas.
Last year, 39 business leaders represented the Midlands, including Kevin Oakes, of Steelite International Holdings, based in Stoke-on-Trent, who was named ‘Ernst & Young Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012’ and Kettering-based Tracy Lewis, of Eveden Group, who won the ‘UK PE-backed Business’ award.
Oliver Ragg and Mike Tomkins, of Top CashBack, based in Uttoxeter; Richard North of Wow! Stuff, based in Wolverhampton; Graham Whitworth and Nick Rutter, of Sprue Aegis plc based in Coventry; and Stephen Fitzpatrick, of OVO Energy, based in Cirencester; were among the 12 entrepreneurial business leaders also crowned regional winners in 2012.
Entries for the awards close on March 8, with finalists announced in April. Regional winners will be named at a dinner in Birmingham on June 18. They will then compete at the UK finals in October.
Adrian Roberts, Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year Leader at Ernst & Young said: “I believe the best way out of the recession and key to the UK’s long term economic strength is business-led growth.
“Entrepreneurs create many of the UK’s most dynamic and successful companies. We are passionate about helping such high potential businesses grow their operations, both in the UK and overseas. Last year the programme’s regional finalists, across the UK, had combined revenues of £18bn and created jobs for over 60,000 people.”
One of the most prestigious business awards globally, EotY connects CEO’s from 140 cities in 50 countries. Covering more than 94% of the global economy, the programme has attracted more than 4,000 nominations, handed out 500 awards, appointed 900 judges and hosted 4,300 attendees around the world.
Ernst & Young’s UK Overall Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012, Lance Uggla of Markit, said: “The main benefits of the awards programme was definitely the networking, and meeting so many other clever and bright people with similar ambitions.”
Former Midland winners, in previous years, have included: Hilary Devey, of The Pall-Ex Group, star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den; Richard Harpin, of HomeServe; and David Suddens, of R Griggs Group (Dr Martens).
Tracy Lewis, from Eveden Group, added: “Being nominated for the Entrepreneur Of The Year programme and winning two awards has been fantastic recognition of the success of our business and all of our team.
“It also presented extensive networking opportunities, both with inspirational leaders from a variety of sectors and judges from many different disciplines.
“These experiences will all prove to be valuable to our future development.”
