A slideshow of photos from the 2007 event can be seen in our Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 Slideshow (this page will take a while to load)
THE WINNERS OF 2007
NEW MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Hotonline.com
- Ben Hatton, Rippleffect
- Ian Rawlins, Flowers Direct
- Tony Foggett, Code Computer Love
Winner: Ian Rawlins of Flowers Direct
The judges were impressed how Ian impressed the judges by the way in which he virtually created an entirely new category in e-commerce and then set about consolidating its early lead. The deal done only last week to acquire its main competitor, Flowergram, is testament to this.
START-UP OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Lewis Hymanson Small LLP
- Works with Water
- The Contact Company
- IT247.com
Winner: IT247.com
The judges were impressed with the strength of entries for this category and felt all three of the shortlisted companies possessed significant potential for growth, but IT247 shaded it for the sheer ingenuity of its offer and the commercial success already achieved to date.
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
- Allied Filter Systems
- Evans Vanodine
- Routes
Winner: Evans Vanodine
Once again this was a close-run category, but the way in which Evans Vanodine’s export manager Peter Thompson has continually managed to increase the Preston firm’s international sales through a well-defined export strategy held the greatest sway.
FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Future Recruitment
- Character World
- IESA
- Robert Cain & Co
Winner: Robert Cain & Co
A terrific week for Cains, then, which on Monday announced a £37 million reverse takeover of Preston-based Honeycombe Leisure – a deal which will add 100 pubs to Cains’ estate.
PROPERTY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Inacity Ltd
- Mark Connor, Vermont Developments
- Nabeel Chodery, Property Route
- Paul Rowley, Rowley Homes
Winner: Paul Rowley, Rowland Homes
A third win in five years in this category for Paul Rowley, whose Preston-based empire continues to grow from strength to strength. The judges were impressed with the manner in which Paul has structured his business to allow him to concentrate on achieving some pretty ambitious targets.
TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Hays Accountancy & Finance
- Barry Sharples, 2ERGO
- Peter Kennedy, BGLOBAL
- Lawrence Jones, UKFASTNET
Winner: Mike Fahy, editor of EN, on behalf of 2Ergo
The judges were impressed with what they describe as “a fantastic company with market leading technology. 2 Ergo is already well on the way to achieving its huge potential”.
YOUNG NORTH WEST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Chess plc
- Marc Duschenes, Braemar
- Andrew Moody, Loanoptions.co.k
- Pete Petrondas, Eazyfone Group
Winner: Pete Petrondas
The judges were impressed with Pete’s tenacity in overcoming some pretty big hurdles in the firm’s early years and also his absolute determination to ensure that his company maximises the opportunities that are now opening up before him.
MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR Sponsored by UKFast.net
- Fresh Events
- NRL
- Premium Appliance Brands
- D Jacobson & Sons
Winner: Premium Appliance Brands
Premium Appliance Brands impressed the judges with the entrepreneurial way it has used spare capacity in other people’s factories to produce its white goods economically, and in a timely way – enabling founders Guy Weaver and Brazer to quickly fill gaps in the market as they spot them.
NORTH WEST ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Stark Brooks
- Andy Bell, A J Bell
- David Pollock, Chess
- Roger Butterworth, Expansys
- Helen Colley, Farmhouse Fare
Winner: David Pollock, Chess
Once again, an incredibly tight category in which to pick a winner but the judges were extremely impressed with the manner in which David Pollock has responded to some of the challenges thrown up in dealing with growth as well as the way in which Chess has integrated its acquisitions.
Photography by David Burrows - www.david-burrows.co.uk
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