Post Runner picks up Business of the Year title

John Macleod, 23, launched Leeds-based direct marketing service Post Runner, which operates as a community interest company, with fellow alumnus, John Tetik, 25.

Now in their second year of business, Post Runner has been named Business of the Year and Mr Macleod was last night presented with a £1,500 prize at a Leeds Enterprise Network event.

Mr Macleod graduated with a sports coaching degree in 2010 and launched Post Runner via Leeds Metropolitan’s Business Start-Up scheme and its QU2 business centre. Post Runner’s clients include Northern Ballet, the Leeds Grand Theatre and Subway.

Now in its second year of trading, it has a target turnover of £65,000 for this year but Mr Macleod said he expects it to reach a six-figure sum.

The business, which now has a team of five plus a freelance distribution team, originally started as a direct mail distribution service, but has since expanded to include design, event promotions and the planning of marketing campaigns.

Post Runner works with Leeds charity Youth Point to share opportunities within the firm with young people classified as Neets – not in education, employment, or training.

It also provides free courses for young people via a partnership with Leeds City College. Mark Taylor, Leeds Met Business Start-Up adviser, said: “John really impressed the judging panel with his progress so far. Not only does he combine a commercially successful business with a social ethic he demonstrated clear plans for growth and we can’t wait to see how Post Runner develops.”

Leeds Metropolitan music production undergraduates, Ben Milnes and Craig Harbour, from Project Static, won the Business Concept category.