News

Monday 2 July 2007

Graduates triumph in city business awards

Three of the top prizes in this year’s Nottingham Evening Post Business Awards were won by five Nottingham Trent University graduates. Business partners David Francis and Chris Scarth won the Small Business of the Year category, Susi Henson walked away with the Woman Achiever of the Year award, while Lisa and Michael Farnsworth scooped the Business Innovation prize during the event at Nottingham Council House.  

David and Chris, who graduated in 2002 in software engineering and European business respectively, are directors of Prime Principle. The company developed the Classroom Monitor software which aims to help cut teachers’ workloads. After getting started in Nottingham Trent University’s business incubation unit, The Hive, Prime Principle now employs seven full-time staff and had sales last year of £400,000.

Susi, who graduated in 2000 with a degree in fashion design and gained her MA in fashion and textiles a year later, also lectures in fashion in the university’s School of Art and Design. She runs the company Eternal Spirits, which specialises in corsetry, bridal wear and eveningwear, and is heading for sales of £170,000.

Lisa Farnsworth graduated with a degree in theatre design in 1998, while husband Michael graduated in furniture and product design in the same year and went on to achieve a postgraduate diploma in enterprise in 1999. Lisa and Michael are directors and founders of rain water harvesting specialist, Stormsaver. The company topped sales of £1m last year and is hoping to achieve £1.5m this year.

Prime Principle’s David Francis said: “We are one of the younger companies and are thrilled to win - the competition was high profile and we were shocked and really excited to be chosen.”

Susi Henson said: “I was all nerves and shocked to win the award. My business is run by women for women and the award is very much for my team, my support system and my friends who have supported me as I chase my dream. There are some great women customers, and it is a pleasure to be making for them.”

Lisa Farnsworth said: “I am really proud of everyone in the company. We have achieved the Business Innovation award together. It will help raise our profile in a market that is still young, adding prestige to the sector that has been the property of environmentalists.”

ENDS

Notes for editors: For more information on Eternal Spirits visit www.eternalspirits.com, for Prime Principle visit www.primeprinciple.co.uk, or for Stormsaver visit www.stormsaver.co.uk.

Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk