Preston entrepreneurs announced as Great British Entrepreneur Awards finalists

Preston-based Gym Gear has been recognised as one of the best in the business after being named a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. 

Gym Gear offers high-quality commercial gym equipment at affordable prices, with clients including LinkedIn, IKEA, G4S and NHS. The company’s services include facility layout and gym designs, financing options, and marketing and technical support.

Entrepreneurs, Roy and David Bulcock, and Richard Lambert, founders of Gym Gear, are three of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants - the most the awards have ever had.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.

Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Gym Gear director, Richard Lambert, said: “We are delighted to be finalists at this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards. It is a testament to the hard work of all of our team that Gym Gear continues to be a success, and to have been selected as a finalist out of the thousands of entries is an amazing achievement. We wish all of the finalists the best of luck and we’re looking forward to the awards ceremony in November!”

This year’s awards will also feature a brand-new award highlighting the organisations investing in the training and development of young people. The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award looks to recognise outstanding examples of businesses offering apprenticeships, vocational training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, all in the name of improving young people’s access to work.

The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni have collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.

To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.

Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.

“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.

“This year’s finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award - we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”

Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: "Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It's great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories." 

For the full list of finalists, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com