The below article was featured on the Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA) website on 29th May 2019. Stephen Fear was one of fourteen Entrepreneurs to be recognised in their Hall of Fame. To read the original article, please click here.

“….this new initiative which will recognise outstanding entrepreneurs across the UK who provide inspiration to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow”.

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Fourteen of the UK’s most committed supporters of entrepreneurship are being inducted into the Great British Entrepreneurs Champions Hall of Fame in association with NatWest and JD&Co, a brand new initiative led by the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The Great British Entrepreneurs Champions Hall of Fame recognises individuals with a long-term record of combining their outstanding entrepreneurial achievements with a sustained commitment to supporting entrepreneurial talent through the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards and other partner programmes. The first individuals will be inducted at an event at Coutts in London this evening.

The first cohort of inductees includes GoCompare founder Hayley Parsons OBE, Notonthehighstreet.com founder Holly Tucker MBE, TrustedReviews.com founder Hugh Chappell, and former Dragons’ Den stars James Caan CBE and Jenny Campbell. Also included are MOBO Awards founder Kanya King CBE, Centre for Entrepreneurs founder Matt Smith, Homeless World Cup founder Mel Young, and StartUp Britain co-founder and Tenner founder Oli Barrett MBE. Completing the cohort are Powwownow founder Paul Lees, PureGym founder Peter Roberts, the ‘Phonebox Millionaire’ Stephen Fear, Poundland founder Steven Smith, and the founder of King of Shaves, Will King.

Francesca James, founder of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Over the past seven years we have built a supportive and connected ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors through the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

“The community of business talent and support that the Awards have brought together has thrived beyond what we ever imagined. At the heart of the community is a panel of judges who work to support and champion entrepreneurs of all stages.

“Some of the inductees have been with us since the very start, while others have shown magnificent commitment in the short time they’ve been a part of the community. I’m delighted and honoured to be welcoming these 14 individuals into our Hall of Fame.”

Gordon Merrylees, managing director of entrepreneurship at NatWest, said: “NatWest has been a proud supporter of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the last seven years, and I warmly welcome this new initiative which will recognise outstanding entrepreneurs across the UK who provide inspiration to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

“Supporting entrepreneurs is a key priority for NatWest and our dedicated programme of fully-funded mentoring, insight and bespoke coaching, is specifically designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs who want to grow and scale their business.

“Congratulations to everyone who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.”

Jo Dalton, founder of JD&Co, said: “Celebrating exceptional entrepreneurs is so important to the UK economy, and stories need to be shared to motivate and inspire the next generation of budding entrepreneurs. I am looking forward to talking to the Hall of Fame inductees today to hear their stories and journeys to success.

“As a long-term supporter of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, I’m lucky enough to have been a judge since 2016 and still feel as excited now as I did then; seeing all the nominees of innovative new businesses and fledgeling entrepreneurs turn into household names. I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year.”