Entrepreneur of the Year shortlist unveiled
EIGHT business leaders from Yorkshire have been shortlisted as regional finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards 2010.
The group are among 112 companies shortlisted across the UK that will compete at regional award events in June.
Regional winners will go on to vie for the title Ernst & Young ‘UK Overall Entrepreneur Of The Year’ 2010 – currently held by Michael Spencer, Chief Executive of ICAP plc – at a ceremony held in London in October.
The eight Yorkshire finalists are:
Andrew Thirkill, chairman of Age Partnership, based in Leeds,
Simon Gray, managing director of Boost Drinks, based in Leeds,
Adam Hildreth, chief executive of Crisp Thinking, based in Leeds,
Rami Cassis, chief executive of Documetric, based in Rotherham,
Gareth Davies, managing director of Frogtrade, based in Halifax,
Philip Burgan, chairman and chief executive of Maria Mallaband Care Group, based in Leeds,
Tim Whitworth, chief executive of Republic, based in Leeds,
Ken Brook-Chrispin, chairman and chief executive of Seabrook Crisps, based in Bradford.
Sponsored in the UK by Credit Suisse, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates people who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses.
The awards recognise entrepreneurs through regional, national and global awards programmes in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
Stuart Watson, partner and Yorkshire Entrepreneur Of The Year leader at Ernst & Young, said: “Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises the people behind the world’s most innovative businesses.
“This year’s finalists have shown their ability to adapt to market conditions by seizing opportunities and taking market share, whilst their competitors got bogged down in the toughest of times.
“The finalists have maintained their vision for growth and pursued it, increased their focus on customer satisfaction and loyalty, expanded into new segments and geographical markets and engaged their employees using greater communication and transparency.”
The 2010 North & Midlands judging panel includes Mark Abrahams, chief executive of Fenner; David Rasche, chairman of SSP Holdings; Vanda Murray, deputy chairman of North West Regional Development Agency and Anthony Preston, director at Pets at Home.
