ENTREPRENEUR Les Bell was named the first recipient of The Northern Echo Lifetime of Achievement Award, at The Tees Valley Business Show last night.

Hundreds of businessmen and women gathered at the Tall Trees Hotel,Yarm, to see Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, present Mr Bell with a specially-commissioned trophy.

It was the inaugural lifetime achievement award, which is to recognise someone who has made a real and lasting commitment to business life in the Tees Valley.

Judges came up with three finalists from an original shortlist of eight.

Speaking at last night's ceremony, Mr Barron said: "It is an indication of the quality of the Tees Valley's business community that any one of those original eight people would have been worthy winners."

The other finalists were Steve Gibson and Alan Noble.

Mr Gibson is the man behind chemical transportation company Bulkhaul and chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Mr Barron said: "Not only did he create a company with a worldwide reputation from scratch, but he saved Middlesbrough FC from bankruptcy and transformed it into a club capable of attracting some of the world's top players."

Alan Noble, executive chairman of Darlington-based Northgate Motor Holdings, started with 40 vehicles, operating from a private residence in Hurworth.

The business now has 35,000 vehicles operating around the world, with a turnover of £300m.

But it was the credentials of Les Bell which impressed the judges most.

Now 67, Mr Bell started out in 1957 by borrowing £1,000 from his father to set up Teesside Dairies. Almost 50 years later, he has created four businesses, employing more than 2,000 people, and is one of the leading business figures in the region.

But it is his work behind the scenes which made him the judges' choice.

Mr Barron said: "The judges painted a picture of a man who is a problem-solver, who doesn't duck a challenge, who goes out of his way to help other businesses get off the ground and who helps charities and community groups without seeking recognition."

The Business Show is an annual event organised by Tees Valley In Business magazine and Darlington Business Venture.

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