The founder of Local e Sourced, Hamish Light, has been named Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midlands at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Local e Sourced gives the customer a true local shopping experience, allowing people to add multiple local products and checkout in one go.
Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the
business’ balance sheet.
The Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category recognises the immense pressure associated with the early years of business and the time and effort it takes to get an idea off the ground,
and celebrates those who have overcome every hurdle to build something fresh and exciting.
With Covid-19 restrictions preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Hamish won the award during a virtual award ceremony joined by finalists across every region.
In a video message to finalists, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Entrepreneurs [have shown they] stay strong, even during a global pandemic. Coronavirus hasn’t stifled enterprise.
“Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis, as seen in this year’s entries. And that’s what we need to happen if we want our economy to bounce back. We need
all of you to keep inventing, keep taking risks, keep creating new businesses.
“It’s my job as Chancellor to celebrate, champion and support you.
“Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you to all of you for everything you’ve done.”
Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Hamish has a wonderful entrepreneurial story and I’m delighted for him to win this award. I’ll be keeping a very close eye on what he does in the years to come and look forward to welcoming him to the community.”
Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, said: “We’re entrepreneurs and we have spirit.
We fight back and we’re very good at dealing with adversity. And Hamish is an example to us all, of entrepreneurs that are creative, innovative, and changing the world.
“I’m so excited that Starling, a business I founded in 2014 and now the Best British Bank, is sponsoring such an important Awards. And as one entrepreneur to another, congratulations to
getting where you are this evening and best of luck for the future.”
The winners of each category will now go to the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, with a date to be announced due to restrictions on large events.
