Entrepreneur Tomlinson named director of the year

The jeans-wearing entrepreneur told an audience of 220 business leaders at an awards ceremony in Leeds that he was “shocked” to win the accolade.

Mr Tomlinson said: “I didn’t expect to win this at all. We keep battling on, day to day, growing the business and just doing the best we can. I’m really humbled by it. Thank you. It’s a great honour.”

He was also named entrepreneur of the year at the lunchtime event at Aspire.

Introducing that award, Barbara Colledge, Dean of Leeds Business School, said: “Sometimes we don’t focus enough on the good things we are doing – that’s particularly important for directors who are leading businesses.”

Judges praised Mr Tomlinson for building up a successful and diverse business empire at the LNT Group, which includes sports car manufacturer Ginetta and software and engineering firms.

Mr Tomlinson said: “I’ve been battling away for 25 years.”

James Lambert, the 53-year-old chief executive of R&R Ice Cream, was another of the high-profile winners on the day, scooping the lifetime achievement award.

He said: “Business to me has never been a short haul. Leeds was not built on a short haul; it was built on a long haul.

“When you make an investment and when you get involved in enterprise there is no quick fix.

“But if you stick at it and start early then you can end up creating something really worthwhile.

“We are investing £20m in Yorkshire at the moment to build an even better business in this great place. Just remember – encourage young people to get started early and just stick at it because it is amazing where it goes to. “

Other winners included Hayley Erner, of High Flyers Business Coaching, who was named business adviser of the year.

Accepting her award, Ms Erner spoke about the importance of external support to business leaders.

She said: “I watched my father build a business and working really hard and working harder than he ever needed to because he didn’t understand what it took to grow a business that could work without him.”

Gareth Barker of Sheffield Forgemasters was named young director of the year.

He said: “I want to thank Sheffield Forgemasters for giving me the opportunity. I started as an apprentice at 17.”

Peter Roberts, of budget chain Pure Gym, won the judges’ special award.

He said: “We are giving real value for money for people. It is a very fast exciting time and we are looking forward to the next few years.”

Christopher Hopkins of solar roofer Ploughcroft won SME director of the year award.