Entrepreneurial Award

Nomination by Ed Potts:

Mike Chinn and Matt Weston founded video, animation, and livestreaming production company Stone’s Throw Media in 2011 after meeting on a University of Wolverhampton media course. Their leadership has grown the business from one client to 350. They employ eight people and work with top brands including easyGroup, Redrow, Jaguar Land Rover and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mike and Matt have grown STM organically to provide employment and never taking on external debt. In 2021, revenues grew 25% despite Covid-19. Their professional excellence is demonstrated in a number of high-profile projects. In September 2021, STM broadcast a four-day international conference for the International Association for Hydrogen Safety and the Scottish Government to 400 delegates in more than 10 countries. This year they produced a heritage video for the Europe-wide EasyGroup, working directly with easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. They have also worked extensively for the University of Wolverhampton. During the pandemic they launched the Springfield Campus online with a virtual tour, hosted the University's 2020 Staff Awards via a 100-minute live broadcast and created virtual Open Days to showcase the University. Mike was a finalist for Online Event Producer of the Year at the national 2021 Conference News Agency Awards.

Nomination by Chinedu Ilo (self):

Ilo Chinedu Christopher is the Managing Director of Gree Iloson Merchandise Nig Ltd (GIM) and Chris Ilo Merchandise Nig Ltd (CIM), which ventures in industrial distribution, haulage, real estate, imports/exports, general contracts and construction. Due to his craft, creativity and vision, GIM and CIM are evolving into a household name, such that when you think of pushing your product into the market you think GIM and CIM. Their Distributorship goes beyond the shores of Nigeria, to such neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and Gambia. As a result of their ambitious nature, they intend to have their footprint across Africa. He is currently in partnership with the department of biochemistry, food/science technology and biotechnology at the Federal University of Technology Akure, working on health products that will bring lasting solutions to health-related issues and increase our life span as humans. In addition, he was recognized and awarded as one the 100 most influential young leaders in Africa in 2021. Some of his other notable awards are Business excellence award by the World Confederation of Business in 2020, the Nelson Mandela Youth Award as Ecowas Youth Ambassador of Peace in 2020,  and The Under 30CEOs award in 2018.

Nomination by Nichola Tearle:

John graduated with a first class degree in 2010 and due to a lack of jobs, continued with his final year project with a couple of other graduates and developed his own business. Over the past 10 years he has dedicated himself to growing his business and his team. He has encountered masses of obstacles but worked tirelessly to overcome them. He now employs over 100 people and as well as working on their own title (which started at Wolverhampton Uni!), he now does work with companies such as Microsoft (Flix Interactive is Microsoft Certified) on games titles such as 'Sea of Thieves', 'Hell Let Loose', 'Crackdown 3' and 'Worm’s Rumble'. He is dedicated to creating a fair and stable work environment and works closely with the local council also.