Kevin Brent, founder of leading Worcestershire business support provider, BizSmart®, has been shortlisted for the ‘Services Industries Entrepreneur of the Year’ category in this year’s prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards. 
 
Kevin founded BizSmart® in 2012 to bring like-minded business leaders together via peer-to-peer learning and engagement to help them escape the ‘owner-manager’ trap and scale growth, and the business has since become established as the go-to support provider. 
 
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledge and champion the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements. 
 
Kevin is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants - the most the awards has ever had. 12 awards will be given out per region, with notable winners from previous years including Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November. 
 
Kevin said: “I am honoured to benamed as a finalist in the ‘Services Industries Entrepreneur of the Year’ category in this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Building a successful, sustainable business is hard and the journey is fraught with potential pitfalls. Therefore, along with my team, I have made it my mission to transform the lives of business owners through our proven and structured peer to 
peer and 1 to 1 support programme, which helps owner managers scale-up and maximise the value of their business. 
 
“It is a great privilege to be named alongside a host of other inspiring entrepreneurs who lead the way in providing services in their industries, and I look forward to attending the Grand Final in November.” 
 
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said: “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." 
 
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