THE chief executive of technology solutions company Onyx Group has been commended for his achievements with an award from his former university.

Neil Stephenson was given the Alumni Enterprise Award at a ceremony held by the University of Sunderland, which recognises the achievements and qualities of graduates who excel in entrepreneurship and managing a business.

Mr Stephenson studied at the university from 1990 to 1993, and joined the Middlesbrough- based Onyx Group in 1996 in a sales and marketing role before progressing to the level of chief executive.

Under his leadership, the group has made a series of strategic acquisitions and has opened offices across the UK and in Dubai, which have helped to quadruple turnover from £3m to £12m in two years.