Ten awards were given out.
The winners of a brand new award ceremony were congratulated for their achievements in business last night.
Real Entrepreneurs' Awards, run by parent company Cross Productions, set out to celebrate the success of entrepreneurs across the East Midlands.
The awards ceremony was born post-pandemic after Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions discover a need to shine a spotlight on those high flying entrepreneurs who are contributing to the economy in the Midlands.
It's an arm of the long-standing Real Entrepreneurs' Club, which brings together C-suite business people and entrepreneurs in one room.
Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions said: “I have always benefited from being in the same room as forward thinking entrepreneurs.
"There is a culture of knowledge sharing that’s almost infectious. By sharing knowledge we all benefit, and as a result, our businesses grow and improve, and the economy feels the positive effects of that.
"I was really proud to see such an eclectic mix of personalities, industries and thought leaders and have many ideas already buzzing around my head for how we can develop the Real Entrepreneurs brand moving forwards.”
The ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel near East Midlands Airport and former ITV anchor and BBC breakfast host Llewela Bailey, who is now a university lecturer compered the evening.
Special guest restaurateur Jaimon Thomas took part in a live Q&A session, and Leicester-based Professor Peter Stokes from was key note speaker.
Winner of the most anticipated award of the night, Entrepreneurs’ Entrepreneur, Saleem Arif of ReviewSolicitors, said upon receiving the award: “This means an awful lot. It’s been a lot of hard work over the years and there’s been lots of big ups and downs along the way but to get an award like this makes it all worthwhile.”
The full list of winners:
Start Up Entrepreneur
Sponsored by Kazzoo IT
Narinder Nijjar - Fraser Stretton
Scale-up Entrepreneur
Sponsored by Patterson Commercial Law
Sophie Hainsworth - LoyalFree
Innovation in Entrepreneurship
Sponsored by Growth Partners
Lee Paxman-Clarke HEAL.Med
Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the year
Sponsored by BTT
Jake Karia - Jake & Nayns'
Entrepreneur for Good
Sponsored by Ian Guyler Business Consulting
Chris Cain - Kazzoo IT
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Sponsored by JSP Virtual
Nisha Pahuja - Charnwood Regency Guest House
Entrepreneurial Educator
Sponsored by Premier Logistics
Dawn Edwards - Challenge Consulting
Entrepreneurial Collaborator
Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin
Sophie Hainsworth - LoyalFree
International Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
Mick Ventola - Ventola Projects
The Entrepreneurs' Entrepreneur
Sponsored by Fraser Stretton
Saleem Arif - ReviewSolicitors
Written by Kerry Smith
Kerry is editor of Cross Production's Niche Magazine in Leicester and has a degree in film and journalism. She writes about business news, local people, entertainment, and has a particular interest in theatre.
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