Liam nets £1,000 entrepreneur prize

COMMUNICATIONS whizkid Liam Winder has been named Rotherham’s young entrepreneur of the year.

The 27-year-old’s forward-thinking business Ripwire has secured the rights as internet service provider for South Yorkshire’s super-fast digital network VDSL2.

Ripwire—based at Fusion@Magna and employing five staff—boasts a growing list of clients for web and computer services.

Dad-of-two Liam, from Thorpe Hesley, picked up the £1,000 top prize from sponsors UK Steel Enterprise at Magna.

He said: “I’m delighted to have my business recognised. We’ve worked hard and come a long way in a short space of time.

“Accolades like this help to make all the hard work worthwhile.”

Ripwire currently deals only with other businesses. Once VDSL2 is established the company will deal directly with customers.

Other finalists included Matthew Pennefather’s events management business Steel City Promotions,  Deborah Bailey’s lighting firm Aardvark Display, and social entrepreneurs Sam Oldroyd and John Leaver for youth project Jade.

Runners up were cheesecake maker Fiona Morgan and Adam Tinsley, who set up Eastwood-based F1 Showcars simulator.

The awards are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.