Kevin Dorren of Diet Chef named Ernst & Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year

Kevin Dorren of Diet Chef has been named an Ernst & Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of the growth he has driven despite challenging economic conditions.

The founder of and head chef at Diet Chef set up the company in a bid to “create a diet chef that would be affordable for everyone”, and the company has enjoyed huge success, with a current customer base of more than 70,000 people in the UK alone.

The company is now also operating in Germany, and there are plans for further European expansion in the pipeline.

Of his win, Dorren tweeted a picture of the award itself and wrote: “Proud to pick this up last night for the whole team at @dietchef !!”

The overall Scotland winner was announced at an exclusive event held at The Gleneagles Hotel on 21 June. The judging panel, which includes last year’s Scotland Entrepreneur Of The Year, Colin Robertson, CEO of Alexander Dennis Limited, made its decision based on a number of criteria: entrepreneurial spirit; innovation; strategic direction; financial performance; national and global impact; and companies’ approach to social responsibility.

This is the 14th year the prestigious Credit Suisse-sponsored event has run in Scotland. Previous winners include Robert Wiseman, Sir Brian Souter and Sir Bill Gammell.

Jim Bishop, senior partner and Entrepreneur of the Year leader at Ernst & Young in Scotland, said: “The awards recognise and reward those entrepreneurs who drive growth and innovation with total determination, self-belief and a commitment to succeed.

“The value with which their products and services are viewed is evident in the success they continue to enjoy despite the difficulties experienced in the wider economy. We enjoyed celebrating their achievements and the crucial contributions they are making to Scotland’s recovery.”

[ENDS]

Notes to editors

About Diet Chef:
Diet Chef provides calorie-controlled diet plans for around 70,000 customers in the UK and Ireland. Dieters are given a helpful hand in their efforts to lose weight, with diet plans intended to ensure they consume on average less than 1,200 calories per day. Diet Chef aims to help dieters lose weight without depriving their tastebuds – which is why our meal plans offer a tasty as well as healthy balanced diet allowing dieters to lose weight at a healthy pace.

Judges: Scotland

Name - Position
Alex Stewart (chairman) - Operating Partner, Clyde Blowers Capital
Susan Aktemel - Founding Director, Impact Arts
John Anderson - Chief Executive, Entrepreneurial Exchange
Simon Munro - Regional Director for Scotland, Business Growth Fund
Keith Neilson - CEO, Craneware Plc
Colin Robertson - CEO, Alexander Dennis Limited
John Scott - Founder, Scott Group Investments Ltd

Finalists: Scotland

Name - Company
David Sibbald - Aridhia Infomatics
Iain Pittman - Arran Aromatics
Nigel Gray - Braid Group (Holdings)
Nick Price - Bright Purple Resourcing
Tony Hackney - BSW Timber Group
Charlie Millar - Cassiltoun Housing Association
Dave Simmers - Community Food Initiatives North East
Stephen Leckie - Crieff Hydro
Kevin Dorren - Diet Chef
Gerry Lafferty
Colin Maver
Colin Rowley - Dron & Dickson
Bob Rooney
Peter Scholes - Energy Environment Group
Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne - Genius Foods
Grant Keenan - Keenan Recycling
David Ferguson - Nucleus
Ian Bell
Alasdair Reid - Optimus (Aberdeen)
Christopher Adams - Rochen
Kyron Keogh
Grant Mitchell - ROX
Neil McLean - Social Enterprise Academy
Keith Wright - SST Sensing
William Walker - The BenRiach Distillery Company
Donald Anderson - The Bread Maker
Peter Taylor OBE - The Town House Collection
David Cook - WASPS Artists’ Studio
Petra Wetzel - WEST Brewery

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. It has been running for 14 years in the UK. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. EOY 2012 is sponsored in the UK by Credit Suisse. The UK media partner is The Financial Times.

About Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is one of the world’s leading banks. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, its dedicated private bankers truly understand the complex financial needs of entrepreneurs and continually strive to deliver the right solutions, leveraging the capabilities across all divisions . Its areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management work closely together to provide leadership, innovation and competitive strength for the benefit of clients.

For further information, please contact:
Three Sixty Communications
0207 580 8360
dietchef@360team.co.uk

Visit the website: www.dietchef.co.uk
Become a fan of the Diet Chef Facebook page and follow Diet Chef on Twitter