THURSDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2012

Entrepreneur of the Year awards return to the Midlands

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The hunt is on for the region’s best entrepreneurial talents

In 2012 Ernst & Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are returning to the Midlands.

For the first time in seven years the Midlands will have its own ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham on June 19 to celebrate the best entrepreneurial talent the region has to offer.

Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises the passion and drive behind entrepreneurial businesses whether private or listed, family-owned, socially-orientated or private equity backed, across all commercial and industrial sectors and at any stage of a business’s development.

Events on the programme include Masterclasses with past Entrepreneur Of The Year winners and the opportunity to build networks with peers and independent judges from leading UK business.

Midlands businesses have had great success over the years - Hilary Devey, star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den and founder of Pall-Ex, John Cauldwell, who launched Phones4U, Dr Kevin Hard, CEO of EvoEnergy, Jim McArthy of Poundland and Garry Metcalfe of Inviron are just some of the region’s entrepreneurs to have won awards.

Ernst & Young partner Adrian Roberts said: 

We are delighted to welcome the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards back to our region this year. Entrepreneurs are the life-blood of our economy and we know there are many excellent examples of entrepreneurial success happening across the Midlands despite the difficult economic conditions. The awards have a great history and they provide a powerful opportunity to showcase talent, raise personal profiles and network with finalists past and present.”

This year the UK awards will recognise those who have helped boost employment, turned around struggling businesses and led the way in both innovation and exports. There will also be a new private equity category and an international award. The awards will see finalists judged in a regional ceremony during June culminating in the national final in October, with the winner going on to compete in the world Entrepreneur Of The Year finals in Monte Carlo next spring. The closing date for applications is 2 March 2012.

To enter the competition entrepreneurs must be the leader of a business that has its chief operations incorporated in the UK, for at least two years as of 1 January 2012.

Adrian added: 

Last year’s 42 UK finalists were responsible for combined annual revenue of £7 billion and collectively created new jobs at a rate of 20 per cent. Given the backdrop of stunted economic growth, startling figures like this clearly demonstrate why we believe the efforts of entrepreneurs should be actively supported and celebrated.”

If you know somebody who deserves an award for their entrepreneurial talent please visit www.ey.com/uk to nominate them.

L - R Ernst & Young’s Midlands partner sponsor of Entrepreneur Of The Year Adrian Roberts, David Suddens CEO of R Griggs, Sara Fowler Ernst & Young’s senior partner in the Midlands.