The champagne corks were popping at Amdaris’ Bristol headquarters as co-founders and co-CEOs Andy Rogers and Vlad Nanu were named Scale-Up Entrepreneurs of the Year for the south west at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
The news came over the internet via an online awards ceremony, with representatives from the Bristol team gathered around a monitor in anticipation.
Although the award recipients were Andy and Vlad, both co-CEOs are keen to stress that this is a win for the entire Amdaris team.
“I would like to thank and congratulate the Amdaris team for every second they dedicate to the success of the company,” Vlad said, adding, “This is the best team ever!”
Over 2,600 entries were received for the 2020 edition of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Last night’s ceremony recognised the winners in fifteen categories across six UK regions. The winner of each category now progresses to the National Final, which will be held in coming weeks.
Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is one of the UK’s major annual business awards. In partnership with Starling Bank, the GBE’s celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet.
The Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category celebrates a vital component of the UK’s economy; entrepreneurs who are driving real business growth and taking things to the next level.
One highlight of the night was a video message to finalists from the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself, Rishi Sunak. He 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: “Andy and Vlad have a wonderful entrepreneurial story and I’m delighted for them to win this award. I’ll be keeping a very close eye on what they do in the years to come and look forward to welcoming them 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 Andy and Vlad are 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.”