Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale Regional Finalists

Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale named Midlands regional finalists in EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale, co-founders of Wilson Vale, have been named joint finalists within the Midlands region of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2016.

The couple started their niche catering business in 2002, working initially from home above their garage in Derbyshire, and establishing the business on £50K personal savings and ‘a laptop and a pencil’.

Wilson Vale now employs 600 people and holds 85 catering contracts, mainly within business & industry, independent education and the conference venues sector. Conference Centres of Excellence works in partnership with carefully selected preferred suppliers in the industry, and are proud to have worked with Wilson Vale since 2012. 

Throughout the company’s growth, the co-founders have never lost sight of their fresh food ethos and values.

Andrew Wilson said: “We are absolutely thrilled, surprised and honoured to be included in such great company. We really didn’t expect this as we don’t see ourselves as high flying entrepreneurs but more as two people with a passion and enjoyment for what we do. 

“This is a fantastic endorsement of everything we have achieved to date, and we are particularly pleased for our teams whose hard work and absolute commitment continue to make the Wilson Vale journey so special.”

Andrew and Carolyne will join 33 others at the Midlands finals, which will be held on Tuesday June 14 at Birmingham Council House in Birmingham. 

The 12-strong judging panel includes Lord Digby Jones, an international businessman and active cross-bench peer in the House of Lords, and Inspired Thinking Group CEO, Simon Ward.

Now in its 30th year globally and 18th in the UK, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year recognises entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

British Premium Meats joins Conference Centres of Excellence as preferred partner

British Premium Meats (BPM) has entered into sponsorship agreement as preferred partner with Conference Centres of Excellence, the UK’s leading sales and marketing consortium for training, meeting and conference venues. 

Formed in 1986 by four brothers who opened a butchers shop in Kenton North London, British Premium Meats are a well-established meat suppler to the catering trade. This privately owned business has enjoyed extensive growth, predominantly from recommendations and referrals and has gained a reputation for quality and reliability. In 2005 the company opened its BRC accredited processing plant at Welwyn Garden City, in a 1950 Sq. Metre purpose built site.

The company has a broad customer base including multi-outlet contract caterers and restaurant chains, award winning restaurants, pub groups, private schools and colleges, and Event Caterers. BPM work closely with each sector to ensure that their specific requirements are met and even exceeded, whether sourcing a new product, setting up a product specification, or tailoring a delivery route to fit in with access requirements.

With a purchasing strategy to source and buy the best product available from a range of accredited suppliers from home and abroad, BPM ensure full traceability and due diligence throughout the process, with a computerised system tracking products from gate to plate. 

From the Welwyn production site, products are dispatched to the distribution centre at Wembley North London, ideally located to deliver to a variety of locations throughout the midlands and the south of England.

Weston Wright, Head of Sales at British Premium Meats commented “We are delighted in becoming a preferred partner to the group and look forward to working together with Conference Centres of Excellence in promoting and supporting the business in whatever way we can”.

British Premium Meats join Wilson Vale and Tchibo Coffee Ltd as select preferred partners with Conference Centres of Excellence, and as part of the agreement, will be sponsoring the annual conference and awards dinner, to be held during the summer of 2014.

Anthony Lishman, executive director of Conference Centres of Excellence, said:

“We continue to strengthen our membership at every level, and part of this activity involves supporting our members’ commitment to quality and standards by working with select preferred partners. Our customers expect great service and excellent facilities, with quality of food consistently being a key factor in determining the success of an event. The agreement benefits both parties and we are delighted to align our brand with BPM who have such a strong reputation within the industry. We look forward to a successful 2014 and beyond.”