Dated July 2005

James Sheridan has been officially named 'Merseyside Young Business Person of the Year' at the Liverpool Echo's annual Enterprise Champions Awards.

James, Algeos' Sales & Marketing Director, was awarded the prize for his contribution in "helping establish A Algeo Ltd as the UK's leading supplier in the orthopaedic industry…"

On receiving his award, James said: " We are in a niche market but we have built a strong business foundation of marketing, logistics and admin to back up the specialist knowledge. This means a lot to our business. It is validation and inspiration for the things we are doing."

Andrew Campbell, ECHO acting assistant editor, thanked everyone involved in the awards, but added: "The biggest thanks must go to all those who entered the Enterprise Champion Awards 2005.

"On behalf of the Liverpool ECHO, I would like to congratulate everyone honoured tonight. You deserve it."

The Enterprise Champions Awards are in association with Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank and supported by Business Link for Greater Merseyside.

TV presenter Simon O'Brien hosted the awards at The Supper Club in Blundell Street, Liverpool and paid tribute to all the entrants: "As a person who ran my own business for five years, I have the authority to say 'You are all stark raving bonkers, mad as fish, the lot of you and I take my hat off to you'."

Algeos were also short listed finalists for the 'Best Small Business' award, but were pipped at the post by Vitaflo International.

Awards in full:

Micro Business of the Year, sponsored by the Liverpool ECHO: Iochre Consulting.

Best Small Business, sponsored by BusinessLiverpool: Vitaflo International

Best New Business, sponsored by Business Link for Greater Merseyside: Neat 3D.

Social Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by 2020 Liverpool: Partnership for Learning.

Young Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce: James Sheridan, for A Algeo Ltd.

Enterprise Champion Award 2005, sponsored by Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank: Baa Bar.