Quadruple success for region’s businesses

Four businesses in the Coventry and Warwickshire area have been named as winners in the 2010 Midlands Business of the Year Awards.

And to complete a successful night for the region, there was a special award to Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson in recognition of his lifetime contribution to business in the region.

Becki Coombe, founder of the Learn 2 Group (http://www.learn2.org.uk/) based in Bedworth, took the title of Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by BT. The group specialises in providing specialist education to children who would otherwise be in danger of slipping through the educational net. She also owns First4Aid, a first aid training company.

Following her in the Young Entrepreneur category was Warwick University graduate Steven Timberlake, 24, MD of Hidden Eden, an inspirational garden store with outlets in Leamington Spa and Solihull and with a substantial online presence at http://www.hiddeneden.com/. Leamington-based PR firm HCK Communications sponsored this award.

There was further success for Alumet Systems of Southam (http://www.alumet.co.uk/) which took the Midlands Innovation of the Year prize, sponsored by Arup. The firm, founded by Gary Summers just seven years ago, designs, manufactures and installs services such as windows and curtain walling for buildings, including aftercare and maintenance.

And Coventry University (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/) was named Midlands Enterprising University of the Year in recognition of its promotion of entrepreneurship among its business students.

This was the fourth year of the awards and more than 300 people attended the ceremony at the NEC Hilton Metropole Hotel. The guest of honour was Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Harj Sandher, MD of organisers UK Special Events, the company behind the event, said: “We had some excellent entries and are delighted that the event is growing in popularity and quality. The range of talent in the Midlands is huge and the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking.”

In his speech, Mr Robinson urged the next government, of whatever persuasion it might be, to concentrate on preserving and building up the manufacturing base of the UK.