Essentialise

North West wellbeing entrepreneur Lee Chambers

The wellbeing entrepreneur and founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing won the Service Entrepreneur category at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, held at Grosvenor House in London.

Lee Chambers, founder of Preston-based business Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, has triumphed at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2021, taking home the trophy for Service Entrepreneur of the Year for the North West Region. Despite being up against highly regarded and well-established competitors, they were selected by the judges to win on the evening, much to the surprise of both Lee and his supporters.

Chambers, who has recently won awards regionally for his work with Essentialise, was commended for his resilience through challenges, ferocious entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to create social impact through every business interaction.

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.

a winner at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards

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.”

When asked about winning his category, Lee Chambers said, “I’m still struggling to find the words to explain how I feel about being recognised on such a big stage. I know it’s the awards, from an entrepreneurs perspective, that is the gold standard in the UK, so I’m overjoyed and overwhelmed at winning, especially given how we have only just started, and it was our first time entering and attending. When the dust settles and I’ve had the time to process everything, I think I will be extremely proud, and even more determined to keep delivering high-quality wellbeing to those that need it the most.”

With 2022 almost upon us, big things are in the pipeline for the bespoke wellbeing company that assists SME’s with strategy and delivery, and scooping this coveted award is another step on that ambitious journey. They will also be launching their new, updated website in the New Year.

Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “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. John said: “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.”

Great British Entrepreneur Awards

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses across the United Kingdom.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are more than just an awards ceremony. Through the awards, alumni and participants join a thriving community of founders and doers. Within that ecosystem is an ethos of support, where individuals are able to come together, inspire, learn and grow.