Imran Hakim, the chief executive of Darwen-based opticians business Hakim Group was named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 North overall winner at an awards dinner in Manchester last night.
Hakim, who also took home the Scale-up award, was described by the judges as having an “unstoppable work ethic”, having built a business that is successfully investing in the high street, flourishing in towns and cities at a time when other businesses are withdrawing.
Founded in 2006, the business represents a rapidly growing portfolio of over 100 independent optician practices across the UK. Hakim has developed a hybrid approach of maintaining the local brand while providing additional resources to independent opticians through a head office engine room.
The Hakim Group continues to grow at pace, demonstrating that the foundations instilled through the company’s vision, strategy and culture combined with the unique approach to optical retail, are a proven formula for success.
Victoria Price, partner and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year leader in the North, said: “Imran is a very worthy winner – he has developed and executed a successful buy and build strategy with a proven track record of generating growth post acquisition. Imran has built a support team that has been with the business since the start and coupled with his visionary leadership it is not difficult to see why his business has thrived.”
Held at the Imperial War Museum North the awards dinner honoured six business leaders across six categories.
Victoria Price added: “I could not be more proud to lead this programme for EY in the North, it supports the incredible entrepreneurial community we have here and helps to put the spotlight on some truly unique businesses and inspiring entrepreneurial leaders all of which create jobs and contribute to the continued growth of the North’s economy.”
North West winners:
Social Impact: Steven Jackson OBE DL, Recycling Lives
Preston-based Recycling Lives is a unique organisation combining nationwide recycling and waste management businesses, a social enterprise delivering food redistribution and offender rehabilitation programmes and a charity managing a homeless residential programme.
Transformational Leader: Jonathan Lill, BBF
A Blackburn-based manufacturer of own brand cake and chilled desserts.
