“They have diversified. They bought an IT business, and are now offering everything from VOIP to the latest mobile phone technology, they are staying ahead of everyone,” said Mr O'Donoghue, whose Gloucester-based business specialises in the HR and employment law support, as well as training for businesses. Mr O'Donoghue had this to say on being involved in the Pizza, Parlez and Peroni gathering: “It was both heartening and humbling to discover that there were so many people around the county who could so easily be referred to as entrepreneurs. Indeed, the fact that we needed a panel to whittle the numbers down speaks volumes about the breadth of talent that exists in Gloucestershire. “Whilst a few names stood out as clear and obvious contenders for the list, I think every member on the panel at some stage came across names they had never even heard of. “That there were so many entrepreneurs who were ‘under the radar’ was again indicative of the
He was talking about Neil Ricketts, the founder and boss of Cheltenham-headquartered Versarien. When the name Alan Smith, of Smith’s Gloucester Ltd came up? “He started with a JCB he borrowed and has built the business from there. His business now turns over about £50 million,” said Mr Ford, whose family-owned business has been providing quality aggregates in Gloucestershire for more than 30 years. On whether Mr Smith he should be in the list? “It is a no-brainer to me,” said Mr Lyttle. It was a unanimous verdict. The panel heard how Dave Attwood, of International Plywood, had “started from scratch”. Turnover at the Innsworth business is in the region of £155 million today. Lister Unified Communications’ Tom and Rob Lister got mutual admiration from around the table.
September 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 17
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