Andrew Donaldson, a partner in U.K. self storage operator BIG Storage is a finalist on a list of candidates for the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the North and Midlands region of England. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year is a global business award for entrepreneurs. If Donaldson wins the award for his region, he’ll go onto to compete for the United Kingdom title.
Donaldson is also founder of self storage, fit-out company Active Supply & Design (CDM) Ltd. BIG Storage has already won six awards in its five-year history and, together with Crewe-based Active Supply and Design, Andrew’s original business, the award count currently stands at 19 with just two months remaining in the 20th anniversary year.
“I’m really excited about making the North and Midlands final – it’s a massive vote of confidence for me just to make the cut and the final awards dinner is the week before I celebrate my 20th anniversary of setting-up in business. I’m well chuffed!” Donaldson told the Chester Chronicle.
This year, more than 50 of the world’s best entrepreneurs will compete for World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo, June 2nd through 5th. The UK representative is chosen from a three-region competition in which the title for Overall UK Entrepreneur of the Year is chosen. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is a prestigious business award celebrating entrepreneurs who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses. The process involves recognizing business entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in more than 140 cities and 50 countries. Twenty-six programs begin at the regional level and culminate in the ultimate selection of a global award winner. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The company is a global provider of assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
BIG Storage has won six awards in its five-year history and, together with Active Supply & Design, the award count for Donaldson’s businesses stands at 19 since 1991. BIG Storage has five sites in Cheshire and Lancashire, providing domestic self-storage and business space. BIG opened its first site in Chester in 2006 and now has 5 sites operating across Cheshire and Lancashire and is the 10th largest operator in the UK with half a million square foot of storage space. BIG Storage, which has secured £14million of funding from RBS, has already won 5 business awards in its short history and together with Active.
Sources Used:
“Storage Firm Boss in Line for Award.” ChesterChronicle.co. uk. May 5, 2011.
“Partner in UK’s Big Storage Up for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, England North/Midlands Region.” Inside Self-Storage. May 5, 2011.