Jeff Winn awarded Entrepreneur of the Year

The region’s newly crowned Entrepreneur of the Year has urged budding business leaders to embrace risk and escape their comfort zones in order to succeed.

Jeff Winn was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s awards in recognition of his achievements at Winn Solicitors – the Newcastle firm he has built into an empire with revenues of around £40m-a-year and almost 300 staff.

Jeff was a partner in a legal aid practice for ten years before setting up his Byker-based company, which provides a one-stop-shop for road traffic accident and other accident victims.

It is now one of the fastest-growing businesses of its kind in the country and recently secured a partnership with global investment companies JZ International (JZI) and Souter Investment Group to aid its expansion.

Speaking after his award win, Jeff said his success – and that of Winn Solicitors – could be attributed to strategic risk taking, as well as a willingness to take on new challenges.

“At Winn’s we reached a stage after five years where we had a built a good business making a decent amount of money,” he said.

“But then we decided to roll the dice and take it that extra bit further. We purchased bigger premises and took a risk in the drive to succeed. And it has certainly paid off.

“People with entrepreneurial ambitions shouldn’t be frightened to get out of their comfort zone. It’s really exciting when you do and, if you do get past that five year point, you can really reap the rewards if you’ve got a good business model. People shouldn’t be afraid to push for the next level,” he added.

Jeff received his award from sponsor Paul Currie, of The Lakes Distillery Company, and thanked all the staff at Winn’s for their contribution.

Other winners on the night included Sir Peter Vardy, who was recognised in the Lifetime Achievement category.

Sir Peter took over the motor retail business started by his father, Reg Vardy, in 1982 and built it into one of Europe’s biggest and most profitable with a turnover of £2bn and employing 6,000 people across the UK.

His other achievements include sponsoring four high performing schools in the North of England and giving millions to support healthcare and education in Africa and India.

Meanwhile, Winn Solicitors has also been shortlisted for the Excellence in Development & Innovation title at the Law Society Awards 2013.
The Excellence Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the legal calendar and culminates in an awards ceremony on 22nd October at the Park Plaza Hotel in London.

Winn Solicitors is also celebrating entering into the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 2013, the comprehensive list of the North East’s fastest-growing private businesses.

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