Member Article

Midlands-based entrepreneurs win 'Pivot of the Year' at national awards

The founders of Midlands-based sleep specialists, Echor, have been announced as winners of the ‘Pivot Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards this week. George Dyer and Ewan Jones co-founded the UK’s first one-stop shop for premium sleep products in September 2020 and have gone from strength since its inception: from expanding its product range to launching a duo of pop-up experiences across the country.

In partnership with Starling Bank, the ceremony was held at Grosvenor House in London on 22 November and saw 159 entrepreneurs across the UK recognised for their entrepreneurial stories and achievements over the last year.

Co-founded by Ewan Jones and George Dyer, who also launched sports equipment brand Safejawz together in 2014, Echor stocks a range of science-backed sleep aids and wellness products including nutritional supplements, night guards, aromatherapy products and homeware.

From research-based essential oil blends to naturally-derived ingredients, all of Echor’s products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly and have been developed to help users to wake up feeling refreshed after a restorative sleep. What’s more, Echor also offers a range of specialist Night Guards designed to improve sleep hygiene and to combat common sleep-related conditions such as Bruxism and teeth grinding.

Commenting on the company’s award win and plans for the future, co-founder of Echor, Ewan Jones says:

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been announced as winners of the ‘Pivot Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the 2021 Great British Entrepreneur Awards. This year has been such an incredible journey and this award win is truly the icing on the cake: we’re so pleased that our vision to provide the UK with premium, science-backed sleeping products has been so well received. We have some really exciting new projects in the pipeline and can’t wait for the next chapter ahead – watch this space”

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards launched in 2012 to celebrate the best of British enterprise, inviting founders from across the UK to apply with their entrepreneurial success stories. This year, after having to hold the awards virtually in 2020, the organisers brought together all eight of their regional shortlists for the first time, with a guest list of 1,200 entrepreneurs, judges, mentors, investors and partners invited to the London celebration.

Over the last decade, the Awards has celebrated some household names including Julie Deane OBE of Cambridge Satchel Co, Alan and Juliet Barratt of Grenade and Shaun Pulfrey of Tangle Teezer. Its most recent headline-grabbing success story is its previous winner, and speaker at this year’s event, Steven Bartlett, who in May was announced as the youngest ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragons Den.

The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and leaders of influential UK businesses, including some of the prize winners from previous years.

Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, spoke highly of the entrepreneurial talent coming out of this year’s cohort:

“It was fantastic to hear so many inspiring business stories after a difficult few years, and even better to have been able to invite all of our finalists to the in-person ceremony and celebrate together.

“With more than 1,200 attending, the evening was a real snapshot of the UK economy. The winners were thoroughly deserving, overcoming some stiff competition from their fellow finalists, and we look forward to welcoming them into our alumni community and seeing what they do next. It’s always exciting to watch our previous winners go on to achieve amazing things and I don’t expect any less from this year’s award recipients, who we will support all the way.”

Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, added:

“It is fantastic to see these worthy individuals being celebrated through these awards. We wish all the shortlisted businesses the best of luck with their future endeavours during these changing times.”

Guests also heard the story of Phones4U founder, John Caudwell, as he announced a new award category and partnership between the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and his charity, Caudwell Children.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate businesses and entrepreneurs that are flourishing and making a success of themselves.

 “The Great British Entrepreneur Awards has developed a growing community of like-minded businesses and entrepreneurs, which was the perfect platform for me to launch my Blaze Your Own Trail award. I’m incredibly excited about the partnership we have established, both for the new award and my charity,” commented John.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lucy West .