Yorkshire entrepreneur in the running for national PLC Awards

STEVE Parkin, the entrepreneur behind Leeds-based Clipper Logistics, is one of three Northerners to be shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

At this year’s PLC Awards, sponsored by PwC, Mr Parkin, along with Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of Bury-based Sports Direct and Joel Leonoff of the Paysafe Group are battling it out with the only Londoner on the list, Rod Flavell of FDM Group, for the title.

Mr Parkin set up Clipper in 1992. It now has a turnover of £235m, with 3,200 staff, and clients including Asda, Morrisons, John lewis and ASOS.

Arif Ahmad, PwC’s Leeds senior partner, said: “Yorkshire has a dynamic mid-market and it is only right that we celebrate this sector who are key drivers of the UK economy.

“Companies like Clipper have been hugely successful and drive growth that benefits all stakeholders.

” To be shortlisted so soon after IPO is a real testament to Steve Parkin and his team. These awards showcase the very best of the mid-market and to be short-listed from such a large number of contenders is highly impressive.”

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