New awards salute Hull & East Yorkshire enterprise culture
Enterprise and diversity among businesses in Hull and the East Riding have been recognised by awards held for the first time in the area. The success stories for 2010 cover cultural activities, lingerie, flooring, telecommunications and energy consultancy.
Five individuals and companies were honoured at the Yorkshire Enterprise and Diversity Awards 2010 by ATL Yorkshire, a not-for–profit business and enterprise support organisation, at a ceremony held at the University of Hull.
The awards, designed to celebrate business success, entrepreneurship and diversity in business throughout Hull, the Humber and the East Riding, recognised excellence over the past 12 months. The event was attended by more than 130 local business representatives and dignitaries, including Hull’s Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor David Gemmell, and representatives from Kingston Communications, BAE Systems and Arco Ltd.
Organiser Conrad Watson said: “In terms of nominations for awards, we had a fantastic response from some really innovative organisations. It underlines my belief that there is a real entrepreneurial spirit alive in the region.”
The winners were:
Best Young Business of the Year – Vuba Limited
Brough–based flooring product specialist Vuba Supplies was set up by 21-year-old Sean Scott, a former national Young Enterprise winner, in September 2009. Vuba installs industrial flooring systems and supplies DIY products for industrial flooring via an e-commerce website. Vuba can already count a number of national blue-chip organisations among its regular customers and, due to enormous online success, has plans to move into international markets in France, Spain and the US.
Sean says: “It’s fantastic to gain such recognition for the hard work that’s gone in to setting up the company. It’s an exciting time for Vuba Supplies. We have already come a long way since last September and have further plans for growth and expansion, including the launch of a consumer brand later on in the year.”
Finalists: First Step Sports Ltd, Hull; Mercury Design & Marketing Ltd, Hessle.
Outstanding Female Entrepreneur - Diane Rothwell, Managing Director of Alterego
Alterego is a lingerie wholesaler supplying to businesses across the UK and Ireland, and with a growing international market. Diane, 44, from Burton Pidsea, set up the business in September 2007 and has doubled the turnover each year since. She works on the business part-time as her day job is in the NHS but she recruited a full-time employee in January. She has taken an innovative approach to selling, in line with the changing landscape of e-commerce, and has negotiated exclusivity contracts throughout the UK & Ireland. She says: “I’m absolutely delighted with the award and was thrilled to be nominated. I’m also lucky to run Alterego in a vibrant business community like East Yorkshire.”
Finalists: Lyndsey Ablett - Kiss Costumes, Kath Hope - Hope2Sleep, both Hull.
International Business of the Year - Optimus Services Ltd
OSL is an engineering and project management consultancy for the gas, oil and energy industries. Based at Freightliner Road, Hull, OSL is enjoying success in the UK and has opened up lucrative markets in Europe, most notably in Germany. It is also now delivering the company’s expertise on the African continent, providing households with a much cleaner and safer fuel alternative.
Director of Business Development John Pepper says: “The award fits with our core values of being a positive influence in society and we hope to continue working with our African client to improve the lives of people in Nigeria.”
Finalists: Denman Instrumentation Ltd, Hessle; Streamline Media Ltd, Hull.
Business of the Year - The One Point Group
The One Point Group, based in Wincolmlee, Hull, provides integrated IT, communications and media solutions for business. They are Hull’s only established single source provider for a business’s IT services, communications and media & marketing needs. Marketing Manager David Bushnell says: “It's fantastic that these awards have come to the region to recognise all the hard work of businesses in the area.”
Finalists: Cobus Communications Group, Hull; Pure Solar Ltd, Cottingham.
Joint winners – Diverse Business of the Year
The International Heart of Hull and The Hull Branch of the Russian Community
The vision of the International Heart of Hull is to become the vehicle for cultural ethnic integration in Hull and the East Riding. This is achieved through various learning programmes, by engaging with different groups from around the world, and raising awareness through a mixture of cultural events, exhibitions and workshops.
The Hull Branch of the Russian Community was established to provide support services to the growing Russian-speaking population living and working in Hull and the East Riding. Their main aims are to promote social cohesion between people of different cultures and minority backgrounds who are Russian speaking, to promote awareness and inclusion, organise cultural events and deliver educational programmes for children and families. Valentina Whiting of the Hull Branch said: “The Russian Group has received a powerful encouragement to continue developing our projects.”
Both winners are based at the Hull Community Centre, Cottingham Road, Hull.
Finalist: The Echoes Foundation.
Amjad Pervez, Chairman of ATL (Yorkshire) Ltd, said: “These are awards for real people who are getting up every day and working hard to grow our regional economy - they’re not just black tie events.”
The event was supported by ATL’s local partners – the Hull Enterprise Partnership, Sirius, Hull Developing our Communities (DOC), Princes Trust and the Hull University Enterprise Centre. It was sponsored by Yorkshire Forward, Business Link and UK Trade & Invest, and was one of five ceremonies held to celebrate enterprise across Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
