Karan Bilimoria of Cobra Beer and Bharat Shah of Sigma Pharmaceuticals were among those recognised for their 'exceptional entrepreneurial skills' at this year's Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (London & Central Region respectively). Mr Bilimoria beat off stiff competition to win the Consumer Products Award. Cobra Beer Ltd was established in 1990, with the aim of producing a premium, extra smooth and less gassy lager suitable for spicy food.

"I am extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious award, one that celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial leaders whose innovation, vision and determination are the driving force of business in the UK today," says Bilimoria. "What I have come to learn, from creating Cobra Beer from scratch and against all odds in the most competitive beer market in the world, is that if you have the passion, drive and aspiration to succeed, the sky is the limit," adds Bilimoria. "I have been inspired by past winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and I hope that I can inspire future entrepreneurs to follow their dreams".

Les Clifford added further praise:" We have seen an exciting array of entrepreneurs in this year's London programme, who truly reflect the depth and breadth of the spirit, and determination it takes to succeed in a difficult market place." Created back in 1986 by Ernst & Young, the Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is a regional, national and international annual award programme which identifies and recognises the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs within successful growing dynamic businesses. Growing in stature and prestige through the years, it is now established as the most prestigious business award in more than 35 nations worldwide.

All of the award recipients will now go forward to the National final, which takes place on Monday 6 October 2003 at Le Meridien Grosvenor House in London.

The London Region Award Recipients

• Overall Winner: Dr. Stephen Mockford & Phil Caiger, Aircom International Ltd.
• Business Products & Services: Dr. Richard Worswick, LGC (Holdings) Limited
• Social Entrepreneur: Gordon d'Silva, Training for Life Ltd
• Emerging Entrepreneur: Douglas Gurr & Chris Phillip, Blueheath Direct Ltd
• Young Entrepreneur: Adam Balon, Richard Reed & Jon Wright, Innocent Drinks
• Consumer Products: Karan Bilimoria, Cobra Beer Ltd
• Consumer Services: Michael Buckingham, Care Management Group Ltd
  
• Technology & Communication: Dr. Stephen Mockford & Phil Caiger, Aircom International Ltd
• Master Entrepreneur: Patrick Curran, Bell Group plc

The Central Region Award recipients are:

• Business Products & Services: Sean Hagan, Russell Scandrett & Michael Scott, Catering Alliance Limited, Nuneaton
• Consumer Products & Services & Overall Winner: Andrew Turner, Central Trust PLC, Norwich
• Emerging: Andy Phillipps, Active Hotels Limited, Cambridge
• Master Entrepreneur: Bharat Shah, Sigma Pharmaceuticals plc, Watford
• Social: Stephen Bradshaw, Colchester United Community Sports Trust, Colchester
• Technology & Communication: Chris James, The Message Pad Limited, Warwick
• Young: Steven Cunningham, Centurion Electronics plc, Welwyn Garden City