Five Lamps is celebrating today after their Chief Executive Graeme Oram was named as the winner of the social enterprise category in the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 North awards
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is considered one of the world’s most prestigious business awards and is held in more than 140 cities and in more than 50 countries world wide. The programme starts locally where Graeme undertook a selection process to become shortlisted as a regional finalist.
The North awards dinner was held at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester last night and honoured 12 business leaders in total, in 11 categories, which were judged and selected from 48 entrepreneurs from across the north west, Yorkshire and north east.
Margaret Elliott OBE, Director of Care Services at Sunderland Home Care Associates (2020) who sat on the judging panel said
“Graeme attributes his business success to his ability to create a clear vision for the business, innovative, reinvent, build ‘win win’ partnerships and demonstrate social impact”
Graeme said
“I am delighted to win such a prestigious regional award. The judges had a difficult task as there were 4 strong candidates in the social enterprise category for the north region. The north east has a vibrant entrepreneurial culture. Five Lamps has a clear vision for the future and I would like to thank the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers at Five Lamps who do a fantastic job to create possibilities and improve lives”
Sir Nigel Rudd, Chair of the UK Judging Panel 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.”
All northern winners will go on to represent the region at the UK finals in October and have a chance to compete at Ernst & Young’s World Entrepreneur of the Year award, in Monaco next year.