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Betfred founder crowned Northern Entrepreneur Of The Year

The founder and CEO of Warrington-based independent bookmaker, Betfred, has been named Ernst & Young’s Northern Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Judges described Fred as an ‘inspirational and outstanding entrepreneur’ having grown the Betfred business to a company which now employs over 8,000 people with a turnover in excess of £4bn.

Ernst & Young’s North Entrepreneur Of The Year leader, Catherine Fairhurst, said: “The judges were impressed by Fred’s entrepreneurial approach, enthusiasm and energy.

“He has ‘made sacrifices and taken risks’ to build a business, which has gone from strength to strength and is now an instantly recognisable brand nationwide.”

Fred started with just one betting shop in 1967, and has recently acquired the Government owned Tote for a quarter of a billion pounds, allowing the company to run pool betting on horse racing throughout the UK.

He has also developed other successful business ventures, including Penninsula Business Services and Sports Tours International.

Of 55 finalists from across the North West, Yorkshire and North East, Fred was one of 12 business leaders to be recognised at the awards, held at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester.

The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards programme is now in its 26th year, and is sponsored in the UK by Credit Suisse.

Catherine Fairhurst added: “Every year, we are impressed with the scale of entrepreneurship within this region – 2012 has been no exception.

“The programme gets bigger and better each year. The remarkable entrepreneurs in this room have combined revenues of £6bn. They will drive growth in the UK and lead our economic recovery.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .