Sir Nigel Rudd announced as Chairman of judges to find the UK's top entrepreneur
Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of BAA and Invesys, has been announced as the chairman of the independent judging panel that will be scouring the country to find the UK’s leading entrepreneur.
Sir Nigel, who has been chairman of some of the largest companies in the UK, heads a prestigious judging panel which will decide the winners of the Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur Of The Year competition, sponsored by Credit Suisse.
Sir Nigel’s success as an entrepreneur includes building up the UK’s largest car retailer, Pendragon PLC, the company he founded with one dealership in 1982. Sir Nigel Rudd founded industrial holding company Williams plc in 1982, a business which he grew into one of Britain's top industrial conglomerates, listed on the FTSE 100. Williams plc, which was later demerged into Chubb and Kidde in 2000, is perhaps better known for owning Yale and Chubb locks and paints business Crown.
Other notable judges include Haryanto Adikoesoemo, president of PT AKR Corporindo Tbk, winner of Entrepreneur Of The Year in Indonesia in 2008. Haryanto helps to ensure that the Judges assess the importance of entrepreneurs achieving growth through exporting, and building their brands across vital overseas markets.
The awards are open for entries until 8 March 2013. The finalists for each region will be announced in April, and regional finals will take place in June covering London and South, Midlands, the North and Scotland. Winners in the regions will then compete for the overall UK awards culminating in the final in October. Last year’s UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award was won by Lance Uggla of global financial information services company Markit.
Sir Nigel Rudd Chairman of judges for Entrepreneur Of The Year said: “I have been involved in creating and leading businesses over many years and believe strongly we should celebrate great entrepreneurs and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
“I am delighted to be judging this year’s awards particularly at a time when the vision of the UK’s entrepreneurs in innovating and exporting throughout the downturn is more important than ever.”
Stuart Watson: “Ernst & Young UK Leader of Entrepreneur Of The Year said: “The panel of judges reflects the amazing diversity of entrepreneurs achieving growth and recognition across industries and regions across the UK.
“For those entering the awards, the opportunity to network with and be assessed by some of the best entrepreneurial leaders in their sector or region is an invaluable experience. Many participants have seen direct commercial benefits following a vigorous review of their business, and the presentation of their growth plans in front of industry experts who share their vision and innovative approach.”
Judges
Chairman: Sir Nigel Rudd
UK
Mark Sesnan, GLL (Greenwhich Leisure Limited)
Eddie Hawthorne, Arnold Clark Automobiles
Keith Neilson Craneware plc
Haryanto Adikoesoemo PT AKR Corporindo
Jason Gatonby Montagu
Robert Holt, Mears Group
London and South
Ian Jones, APAX Partners
Richard Moon, ACAL Plc
Sam Conniff, Livity Limited
Stephen Murphy, Virgin Management SA
Midlands
Alan Jackson Intercity Telecom Limited
Andrew Lyndon, Lloyds Development Capital (Holdings) Ltd
Paul Thandi, NEC Group
Kevin Oakes, Steelite International Holdings
Karen Lowthrop, Hill Holt Wood
Peter Chinnery, Peter Chinnery
Jonnie Turpie, Maverick TV
North
Carl Wormald, Lloyds Development Capital Holdings Ltd
Lawrence Jones, UKFast.net Ltd
Sir Michael Bibby, Bibby Line Group Ltd
Peter Schofield, Tetrosyl Ltd
Bill Scott, Wilton Group
Margaret Elliot OBE, Sunderland Home Care Associates (2020)
Scotland
Gregor Alexander, SSE plc
Alex Stewart, Clyde Bowers Capital
Simon Munro, Business Growth Fund plc
Colin Robertson, Alexander Dennis Ltd
Susan Aktemel, Impact Arts (Projects) Limited
Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, Genius Foods Ltd
Tony Hackney, BSW Timber
John Scott, Scott Properties, LLP
Jonathan Marciano