Croydon’s 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year has seen a big ‘upturn in business’ since winning the hotly contested Business Excellence Awards category.
Justin Owens, who co-founded the Silver Leaf Group 15 years ago, says the property development and investment company has continued to grow in a “challenging” market thanks to the win. He said: “The benefits have been far greater than we would have ever anticipated. Despite challenging conditions within the property market, the business continues to grow. The award win certainly helped us to stay on course.”
Now Justin, the Silver Leaf Group Managing Director (pictured above receiving his award from Saffron Saunders of Sussex Innovation Centre) is busy preparing to enter other categories in 2019* and believes applying to the awards is one of the best things a business can do.
He commented: “Since winning we have seen an increase in enquiries and an increase in the company’s profile, which has also led to an upturn in business. This has enabled us to build new relationships, both with local businesses and those further afield.”
Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of Croydon’s vibrant business community, which is undergoing tremendous growth thanks to a £5.2billion regeneration of the town’s infrastructure and its excellent fast links to London and Gatwick Airport. The vast majority of Croydon’s 14,675 businesses** are SME’s with 10 to 49 employees, or micro businesses with less than 10 employees, making the SME Excellence and the Best New Start Up categories, two of the key awards to enter.
The borough’s biggest and most prestigious business awards, delivered in association with Willmott Dixon, are currently inviting entries across all 14 categories. Free and easy to apply online, the awards have been designed to recognise and celebrate the achievements of all types and sizes of enterprise.
The closing date for awards entries is Friday, 21st June at 5pm. The winners – including the overall Business of the Year – will be announced exclusively at a glittering Gala Dinner and Charity Ball hosted by a celebrity presenter, in the Grand Sapphire Hotel & Banqueting Suites next October.
The Croydon Business Excellence Awards 2019 in association with Willmott Dixon are creatively delivered by White Label Events. They are sponsored by London Borough of Croydon, Bluebird Care Croydon, Croydon College, Little Fish, Queen’s Square, Regent Land, and Sussex Innovation Croydon. They are supported by AMP House Serviced Offices, Catering by Justin, Chequers, Handelsbanken, Insight 6, Mobile Bar Hire, Grand Sapphire Hotel & Banqueting and Croydon Chamber. To sponsor the awards, please contact Vivien Newbould at vnewbould@wlcreative.org.uk
To enter the 2019 Awards please visit www.croydonawards.co.uk
NB: * Awards winners cannot re-enter the category they won the previous year.
**Croydon Observatory Report, 2018.
