Businessman Ben Donnelly has been shortlisted in the Entrepreneur of the Year category in the Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2011.
Ben, from Knowsley, set up Elixir Group in 2008 and is now in with a chance of scooping the final prize of £2,000 and 50,000 Nectar points.
The nationwide competition will be judged by businesswoman Karren Brady, who is currently starring in hit TV show The Apprentice.
Ben said: “I am so pleased to be shortlisted as one of the Nectar Business Small Business Awards Entrepreneurs.
“The attention the business would receive if I won this award would be great news for the company. It’s an incredibly exciting time for Elixir Group.”
After a troubled childhood that resulted in a drug and alcohol addiction, Ben set up a dynamic social enterprise, dedicated to creating opportunities for socially excluded groups and individuals from deprived areas.
The commercially sustainable business is now dedicated to helping recovering addicts, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed to rebuild their lives.
The Elixir Group trades in collecting and preparing PVCu window frames and doors, which as well as providing training and employment to disadvantaged groups, has a positive impact on the environment.
To date, Ben’s company has saved over 5,000 tonnes of PVCu from landfill and stopped 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.
The success of Elixir has meant that over 800 vulnerable adults in Merseyside, including 400 ex-offenders, have gained meaningful employment and training.
And thanks to Ben’s help and guidance, 97% of these individuals have not re-offended.
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