Nasa Khan named UK's Entrepreneur of the Year
(29 October 2002)

One of the UK's leading young business visionaries, Nasa Khan, was today crowned winner of The National Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year. The 30-year-old Chairman of The Accessory People plc, which manufactures and distributes cellular, data and computer accessories, took the top honour before an audience of more than 1,000 UK business leaders and VIPs at London's Park Lane Hilton.

Mr Khan, who started his own business eight years ago with just £2,000 of his own money, is now one of Britain's top 250 Asian millionaires. The Accessory People (TAP), now a market leader, has an annual turnover of £220 million and employs 50 people at its Chessington office in Surrey.

The Awards citation said: "Nasa Khan shone through for his pure vision and belief in a new market, which was evolving fast and had an uncertain future. His commitment paid off and his business model, replicated across other markets, could see vast expansion."

Steve Hollis, UK Head of Sales and Marketing for sponsor KPMG, commented: ""Nasa Khan's success is an amazing achievement given the exceptionally high standard of entries. Mr Khan clearly demonstrates the qualities of a successful entrepreneur - commercial intuition, undying passion for their business and vision. He is a much needed source of inspiration to all growing businesses."

alldayPA wins 'New Business of the Year' category

Another Asian-owned business winner was alldayPA, the 24-hour personal assistant and virtual office service, founded by Reuben Singh, 26. The Awards citation said: "This Award celebrates the enthusiasm and knowledge of Reuben Singh, the founder and CEO of alldayPA. The vision shown in developing this product, especially at a time when this country has more 50-year-old entrepreneurs than ever before, is magnificent."

The judges for The New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Microsoft Business Solutions, said that alldayPA had best demonstrated significant growth and innovation for a new UK business in the initial stages of its lifecycle.

alldayPA uses unique, in-house designed technology to provide a 24-hour, live, human PA and secretarial service. Charged on a pay-on-use basis, alldayPA will handle calls, take and text messages, manage diaries and even type letters, at a fraction of the cost of employing a PA.

Reuben Singh explained how important the Award is for alldayPA: "The title of 'New Business of the Year' is extremely important to everyone at alldayPA - our product is about people and this award recognises and celebrates the hard work that has been put in to making alldayPA a success, and by an independent panel of judges. We are honoured to be alongside Marks & Spencer, Sage, BT and O2."

The Award comes at a busy time for alldayPA who have recently acquired GroupTrade.com, the leading online reseller of office supplies, IT equipment and office furniture based in the City of London.

The National Business Awards 2002

These were the inaugural National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, with a total of 21 different "business Oscars" awarded in all. There were nearly 1,900 nominations for this year's event, created by the publishing and events company Quest Media to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation in the UK business community.

These are the first ever National Business Awards to engage FTSE 100s and blue chip companies together with new ventures and SMEs.

Award Winners

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR / EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Luc Vandevelde, Chairman of the legendary High Street retailer, received the coveted title of Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by Computer Sciences Corporation. Claridge's took the Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by Croner Consulting.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR / LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Charter Intelligence, went to the Newcastle based business software firm Sage (UK) Limited. The industrialist and trouble-shooter Sir John Harvey-Jones meanwhile was honoured with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by HSBC.

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR/NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Reuben Singh's Manchester based company, alldaypa, walked away with The New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Microsoft Business Solutions. Simon Burke is Chairman of Hamleys, but received the Non-Executive Director of the Year Award, sponsored by Edengene, for his board role at Majestic Wine plc.

CUSTOMER SERVICE STRATEGY OF THE YEAR/
ADVERTISER OF THE YEAR

Telecoms giant British Telecom celebrated a double victory. BT Retail picked up the Customer Service Strategy of the Year Award, sponsored by Charter Intelligence, and British Telecom also won Advertiser of the Year, sponsored by the IPA, for its Connecting People consumer campaign.

SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR/ INVESTORS IN PEOPLE AWARD

Small was just as big at the National Business Awards for 2002. The dynamic young London based fruit juice company Innocent Drinks, pioneers of the fresh fruit smoothie, won two awards.

Innocent won The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, sponsored by NTL Business and The Investors in People Award for Small to Medium Sized Organisations, sponsored by Investors in People UK.

Richard Hanscott, Vice-President of Business Solutions Orange UK, said: "Celebrating the strength and diversity of British business is something we don't do often enough in the UK. The National Business Awards, with its criteria of innovation, ethical business practice and commercial success, have captured the incredible diversity and success British businesses, large and small, are having at home and abroad."

He added: "To see start-ups winning alongside conglomerates epitomises the values of these awards. We have heard some amazing success stories - stories which more people will now hear and, I hope, draw inspiration from."

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

In a special Awards address, recorded at Number 11 Downing Street, the Chancellor of Exchequer, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, said: "Tonight we are celebrating and showcasing the best of British business. We have much to be proud of, but too often in Britain we do little to celebrate our achievements. It is through events like The National Business Awards that we are able to recognise and reward business excellence.

"I want to spread the message that enterprise is truly open to all irrespective of where you live, where you come from, who you know, whatever your class, race or social circumstances. So I urge each and every one of you to work in your communities, to work with young people, with schools and colleges, to become business mentors, to become role models. Working together we can help realise the immense skill and entrepreneurial talent that exists in Britain."

The Awards ceremony was hosted by Michael Wilson, Business Editor of Sky News, which filmed the event. Special guests included Nigel Griffiths MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business and Export Control.

Click here to read the full list of Winners & Runners Up.

Click here to visit the National Business Awards website.