ENTREPRENEURS’ FORUM
North East Entrepreneurial Awards
AND THE WINNERS ARE... THE NORTH EAST ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARDS HONOUR THE MANY BUSINESS SUCCESS STORIES IN THE REGION, RECOGNISING THOSE WHO ARE DRIVING GROWTH, CREATING JOBS AND, ULTIMATELY, MAKING THE NORTH EAST A PLACE OF PROSPERITY WHERE SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES ARE ESTABLISHED AND SCALED UP.
EMERGING TALENT Sponsored by O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions
STEVEN RAWLINGSON, SAMUEL KNIGHT INTERNATIONAL. Spotting a gap in the market, Samuel Knight International was launched in May 2014 with the ambition to provide engineers on a project basis worldwide. Specialising in the rail and energy sectors, the first year proved difficult to break into the market, but rapid growth quickly followed.
“One man can’t create what we have achieved at Samuel Knight. It’s very much a team focus. We genuinely do work together as a team.”
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Year two saw a £2m turnover, year three £10m, and this year they are set to break £20m. Such accelerated growth has led to two new office openings, adding Bristol and London to their Newcastle HQ, with international expansion on the horizon in Germany and North America within the next 12 months.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by the Malhotra Group
DR. DAVID CLIFF, GEDANKEN. The German word for thoughts, Gedanken is David Cliff’s business consultancy and coaching company, helping people with the thought processes and strategies they need to find a clearer direction and to improve performance. David’s MBA and Doctorate in Business Administration are matched with over 35 years of management and personal development experience, making him a hugely experienced professional coach. A regular mentor for the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the IoD, David’s moral belief that we all need to ensure the North East is a beacon in producing jobs and wealth drives his dedication of about 15% of his activities on a pro bono basis to emerging talent and young people.
“I am delighted to receive the award, but I would also want to thank those who nominated me and pay tribute to all of the members that contribute to the success of the EF mentoring scheme.”