Entrepreneurs have achieved significant growth in the last 12 months, despite the uncertainty over the general election and the ongoing Eurozone crisis.
According to an EY survey, UK entrepreneurs delivered a robust performance over the last year that saw profits increase for 76% of respondents and 39% creating over 20 new jobs.
And they appear even more confident about the future. Over the next three years 90% expect their profits to grow, with 53% forecasting growth greater than 10% for their businesses. That growth is expected to translate into jobs as 93% of respondents plan to take on new hires over the coming year. A fifth (20%) of participating businesses said that they are looking to create more than 50 new jobs.
It is this sheer confidence and optimism that helps to propel the wider economy, driving innovation, creativity, wealth, jobs and prosperity. And a prime reason as to why, at EY, we celebrate the exceptional achievements of entrepreneurs across the globe.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. It has been running for 17 years in the UK.
The awards programme is the first and only truly global award of its kind, celebrating those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, in more than 145 cities in 60 countries. It provides unrivalled networking and mentoring opportunities from a local to a global level.
The awards programme, which opens for nominations in January 2016, begins regionally in Scotland, the North, Midlands, and London & South. Regional winners progress to the UK finals in October to compete for the title EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK overall winner and the chance to represent the UK at EY’s World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monaco.
Winners are selected by an independent judging panel, which was chaired in 2015 by John Spence, CEO of Karma Royal Group. The judging criteria includes: entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, global impact, innovation, personal integrity and influence.
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2015
Healthcare innovator Richard Steeves, Founder & CEO of Synergy Health, was crowned EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2015 overall winner, at an awards ceremony in London this month. Richard was one of thirteen winners to take home an award along with TransferWise, Poundland and Pure Gym.
Establishing Synergy in 1991, Richard identified a gap in the market and introduced surgical packs to reduce the rate of HIV infection in operating theatres. Headquartered in Swindon, the company now processes more than 150 million reusable medical and surgical instruments a year and makes daily deliveries of sterile reusable gowns, towels and set up packs.
Richard has taken Synergy from start-up to stock exchange, providing mission critical services to the healthcare industry, to help safeguard patients by reducing the risk of post-operative infections.
The judges referred to Richard as a true master entrepreneur. His perseverance to find a better way, his strong financial performance, innovative approach and clear strategic direction really impressed the judges, as did the commitment he has shown to making our health service more efficient and doing so in an environmentally sustainable way.
Richard will go on to represent the UK at EY’s World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monaco next June to compete with more than 60 other country winners for the global title.
Register your interest in EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year UK 2016 programme at www.eoy.co.uk
Previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winners:
- Nitin Passi, CEO and Founder, Missguided – 2014 North region winner and 2014 UK winner
- Ashok Lakhani, Founder and CEO, Kolak Snack Foods – 2015 London & South region winner
- Shelim Hussain, Managing Director, Eurofoods Group - 2015 London & South region winner
- Dilshad & Barinder Hothi, Co-Founders, The Knowledge Academy - 2015 London & South region winner
Previous EY Entrepreneur Of The Year judges
- Dr Jason Wouhra, Director and Company Secretary, East Ends Foods
- Majid Hussain, Chief Executive Officer, Accrol Paper
- Mohsin Issa, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Euro Garages
