Needham Group MD named as ‘Emerging Entrepreneur Leader’ at major business awards evening

The Managing Director, who started with the business as a Marketing Assistant at 21, was named Business Desk West Midlands’ Emerging Entrepreneur Leader, beating off strong competition from Mark Mills (Mereway Kitchens), Paul Griffiths (Aspire Active Education Group) and Rob Brookes (Mortgage Advice Bureau – Severn Mortgage and Protect).

They also highlighted the launch of an ambitious expansion plan for the Group that will see it target £30m sales by 2025, with the blueprint involving more than trebling revenues in three years with the possibility of creating 30 new jobs.

Aled Ellis commented: “I was amazed to win such a prestigious award, especially considering the quality of the finalists and the tremendous companies they run.

“The trophy may have my name on it, but the accolade is for our 60-strong workforce, who really are the heartbeat of the business and will be crucial to us executing our three-year blueprint.”

He continued: “Whilst we transform the size of the business, we want to ensure we maintain our core values that encourage staff to relish responsibility, be confident, yet humble, be trustworthy and compassionate and to always do the right thing, including understanding how we can leave a positive environmental impact on society.”

Needham Group is one of the UK’s leading family-run technology companies and is keen to establish itself as a global enabler, providing a way for amazing IP to be commercialised for the economic benefit of the UK.

Founded by Roger Needham in 1962, the Whitchurch-based firm has grown from a regional distributor of marker pens in the 60s to a diverse collection of businesses serving 30+ different markets.

This includes ink and coding technologies and its fledgling but thriving laser marking business, with the aim of growing all three specialisms to help it treble revenues to £30m by 2024.

Sam Metcalf, TheBusinessDesk.com’s Midlands editor, added his support: “We created the West Midlands Leadership Awards to celebrate the people who are role models within their organisations – and we make no apology tonight for celebrating the individual. For it is our shortlisted individuals tonight who have demonstrated how vitally important strong, forward-thinking leadership is.

“Congratulations to Aled, and all our other winners and shortlisted individuals.”

For further information, please visit www.needham-group.co.uk or follow @needhamgroup on twitter