#Activ Director in Running For Young Entrepreneur of Year Award

Simon Rickett, co-director of   rapidly expanding Leicestershire online marketing company Activ, is in the running for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Fast Growth Business Awards 2010.

Simon, aged 29, who co-founded Activ in Enderby two years ago, has made the shortlist of three finalists in the national awards’ entrepreneur category. Now in their fourth year and sponsored this time by T Mobile,   The Fast Growth Business Awards seek to recognise and reward the best of Britain’s most ambitious businesses.

Attracting hundreds of entries, the Young Entrepreneur category - which celebrates the contribution made to the economy by younger company owners - is open to entrants under 30 who have founded a successful business.

Simon, who established Activ with fellow director Dillon Boivin in March 2008, is no stranger to national and regional recognition. Earlier this year Activ was named a finalists in the New Business Category of the Leicestershire Business awards and in 2009 the company was shortlisted in the Nectar Business Small Business Awards.

Commenting on his latest achievement, Simon said he was thrilled to be among the finalists. He added: “The Fast Growth Business Awards attract a high calibre of business and have a proven track record of identifying businesses which are on the brink of great things. From a personal perspective it would be wonderful to win a national award while I am still in my 20s, and for Activ it would demonstrate what can be achieved even in a downturn with the right team and right business model.”

Activ, which through its network of franchise owners, offers online marketing to small and medium sized businesses across the UK and overseas, achieved turnover of £900,000 in its first year and is on target to £2million this year. Employing nearly 30 people, Activ has recently taken on additional marketing and support staff and has expanded into a second office Narborough Wood Business Park.

With more than 85 franchise owners operating in the UK, the business is now attracting licence holders in Spain, Ireland, France and Australia

Simon added: “These are exciting times for the business. Our ability to provide cost effective and user friendly websites and ensuring the websites we produce actually benefit the customer has appealed to both franchise owners and small business alike. We have also benefited from a policy of taking on franchise owners who have a sound business background rather than people who have simply worked in IT.”

The winners of the Fast Growth Business Awards will be revealed at a dinner and awards ceremony at London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square on April 14.