8 December 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Award win for boss of Checkatrade
Published Observer Series
SUMMARY
Kevin Byrne, founder of slesey-based Checkatrade.com scooped Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2011 Sussex Business Awards held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton.
PRESS RELEASE
Presented by The Apprentice star Ruth Badger, competition for this prestigious catergory was fierce, but the judges felt Kevin stood out head and shoulders above the rest due to his outstanding business achievements.
These included growing his company to one that employs 72 staff with a turnover approaching £5m in just a few short years.
Checkatrade.com, which provides a trusted database of vetted trade companies to help people avoid rogue traders is going from strength, thanks to his leadership.
The company continuously vets and monitors local tradespeople such as builders, plumbers and electricians as well as service providers.
The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit Selsey. A delighted Kevin welcomed the accolade. He said: "Winning entrepreneur of the year at the prestigious Sussex Business Awards is an enormous personal milestone for me and my business, Checkatrade.com. It is fantastic to see our continuing success and strong business growth recognised. I would like to thank our hard working staff and my family, who have supported me since day one".
ENDS
ATTACHMENTS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.
Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include over 6,300 genuine trade members, growing by an average 120 new members every month, and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 5.9 million directories a year into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PR / Marketing, Checkatrade
5 - 6 Sherrington Mews, Ellis Square, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 0FJ
Tel: 01243 601234
Fax: 01243 601246
info@checkatrade.com
