Ernst & Young announces Entrepreneur of the Year finalists

WEST Midlands business figures helping to drive innovation and growth in their specific areas in defiance of the economic conditions have today been named as finalists in Ernst & Young’s Midlands Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Ernst & Young said the awards attracted a record number of applications, with businessmen and women from 31 Midlands companies progressing to the regional finals in June. Those who gain regional awards will go on to battle it out in October to the UK Awards for the chance to win the prestigious UK title, won last year by Lance Uggla of global financial information services company Markit.

The finalists include a broad cross-section of companies across the entrepreneurial spectrum including a large number of companies successfully exporting their brands and services overseas. Ernst & Young said all the candidates in the Midlands demonstrated tremendous breadth and agility in the corporate and social fields and were showing the potential for growth and job creation.

The Midlands judging panel, led by Garry Metcalfe, Managing Director of Inviron, will make their decision based on a number of criteria. This includes entrepreneurial spirit; innovation; strategic direction; leading and building teams; financial performance; national and global impact; and companies’ approach to social responsibility.

Adrian Roberts, Ernst & Young Midlands Entrepreneur of The Year UK Leader, said: “In the face of a flat economy, the clear theme from the finalists is that the UK’s leading entrepreneurs are searching out opportunities for growth and using innovative thinking to get ahead of their competition wherever they can.  Be it by investing in international markets – exports to China and India are growing strongly – or delving deeper to achieve new levels of understanding and research about their customers or client experience, it’s in their very nature to look for growth.   

“Entrepreneurs aren’t waiting for traditional markets to recover and they are agile enough to ramp up activities and capitalise on pockets of potential.”   

Mr Metcalfe added: “As a finalist of the Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year programme in 2009 and a judge in 2012, it’s a privilege to chair this year’s judging panel.  I’m looking forward to playing my part in recognising, assessing and rewarding the enormous talent that exists across our region.  These are the leaders, along with others from across the UK, who despite very challenging market conditions, possess the business acumen, agility and courage to deliver the growth upon which we all depend.”

By area, the finalists are:

Birmingham

Richard Taffinder, of Hills Numberplates, which is the largest manufacturer and supplier of number plates in the UK

Grant Adams, of Sertec Group, a leading independent manufacturer of metal stampings and welded assemblies principally to the automotive industry

Jean Templeton, St Basils, which provides social accommodation, including support for homeless young people.

Coventry

Chris Li, of BathEmpire.com, a leading multi-channel online bathroom retailer

Peter Smith, of Naysmyth, a global supplier of precision mechanical engineering, products and services for aerospace, energy, marine and nuclear industries

Crewe

Peter Wright, Wrights Food Group, which supplies chilled and frozen food

Derbyshire

Ian Maxfield and  Chris Harris, of Collstream, which supplies SMS voice messaging and interactive voice response solutions

Chris Tully, of Ripplez CIC, a social enterprise spin out from the NHS which delivers nursing services

NFT, a food & drink logistics company established over 30 years ago

Gary Fletcher, of holiday provider Forest Holidays

Leicestershire

Topps Tiles, the UK’s biggest tile and wooding floor specialist

Justin Stead, of Aurum Holdings, jewellery and watches retailer

Milton Keynes

Alan McPherson, of Tensator, which provides queue management solutions

Jenny Campbell, of YourCash, which operates 6,000 ATMs in UK and Europe

Northamptonshire

Anthony Pile, of Blue Skies, which produces fresh-cut fruit and juice products from a network of factories in Africa and South America

Michael Britton, of Goodwill Solutions, a third party logistics service

Ryan Howsam, of Staysure.co.uk, fast growing financial services provider to the over 50s

Nottinghamshire

Liz Hobbs, of Liz Hobbs Group, a leading producer of live music concerts and event design

Nuneaton

Alastair Thomas, of Arleigh Group, a specialist supplier to the leisure industry

Powys

William Watkins, of Radnor Hills, soft drinks and juices supplier

Redditch

Steve Bennett, of The Genuine Gemstone, operator of Gems TV

Shropshire

Tracey Archer, Giles Middleton and Gary Steer, of Hermes Datacomms, which provides global communications in the oil and gas industry

Tim Davis and Matthew Smith, of TIA GB Trading as Treadsetters, global tyre and wheel distribution

Solihull

Wendy Merricks, of Jumar Solutions, a global IT and recruitment consultancy

Staffordshire

Miles and Ashley Brough, of JBMI Group, a metals refinery for the manufacturer of innovative aluminium alloys

Stoke-on-Trent

Darrell Mansfield, of The Mansfield Group, a vehicle rescue and recovery operator

Walsall

Dennis Curran, of Barhale, service provider to the water, transport and energy sectors

Warwickshire

Krissy Charles- Jones, of training provider Bright Assessing

Wolverhampton

Richard North, CEO of Wow Stuff, which creates innovative toys and partners with major retailers

Worcestershire

Adrian Everett, of E-lites, the UK’s largest electronic cigarette brand

Bill McCance, of Forces Support, which is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the families of soldiers killed in action