News | Craig Harrison named 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' at the Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2012

Thursday 5th July 2012

Craig Harrison, one of our very first £1,000 Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards winners when the monthly competition was launched in January 2009, has just been named 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012' at the Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) on Thursday 28th June 2012.

Craig, the Managing Director of Aquaread said:

“I am extremely proud and honored to win this award. Getting recognition as an Entrepreneur for all my hard work is priceless. Growing and keeping Aquaread focused during the current economic climate is a challenge, which is what I love about what I do. I have been fortunate to have a great team behind Aquaread and without them we would not be where we are today as a Business.”

Craig Harrison, Founder and Managing Director of Aquaread

Aquaread were also shortlisted as a top 3 finalist for the Best Technology and Science Business of the Year.

More than 450 guests attended the event at the home of Gillingham Football Club, Priestfield stadium to recognise and celebrate the cream of Kent enterprise. The results were announced at a gala dinner, where winners were presented with special glass trophies (see video below).

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Mark Dance, said:

“I was delighted to see so many outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs last night. All of the entrants were of an extremely high standard and Kent has once again shown that it really is the place to do business. I want to send my heartfelt congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s KEiBA - and in particular to the exceptional and deserving winners.”

Chairman of the KM Group, Geraldine Allinson, said:

"This is the fourth Kent Excellence in Business Awards and last night’s event raised the game, yet again, as far as awards schemes in this county are concerned. It truly was Kent’s business night of the year. My congratulations go to the finalists and worthy winners for achieving so much in a tough economic climate. This is a great county to do business in and, better placed than most to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead."

KEiBA aims to recognise and reward excellence in Kent and Medway businesses of all sizes as well as individual awards. It’s hoped that the awards will also boost staff morale and help attract new staff.

Winning an award will also help businesses raise their profile in Kent. All of the entries went through a rigorous judging process, which rated entrants against pre-set criteria to select a shortlist for each category. The judges then visited the short-listed entrants to carry out a more in-depth investigation through face-to-face interviews before selecting the list of finalists.

Comment from Shell LiveWIRE

As one of our first £1,000 Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards in 2009, it's been a real pleasure for the Shell LiveWIRE team to watch Craig's progress as he has grown Aquaread into a successful and sustainable business.

Picking up numerous awards and accolades over the past 3yrs, Craig is a real inspiration to other young people everywhere and we wish him every success for the future!