Sarah Pawson is the first winner of the TechBlast Star of the Week award.
The accolade is a new initiative for 2022. Every Friday, it will be given to the entrepreneur or individual that has most impressed TechBlast in the previous seven days.
TechBlast will publish the full list of 50 names at the end of the year.
Key criteria that the judges are looking for include growth, overcoming adversity and authenticity.
Pawson launched her first business – Fruition IT – during the 2008 global financial crisis and her second – Fruition Consulting – in 2020 during the global pandemic.
This year the two Leeds-based businesses will have a combined turnover of £27 million, with zero investment.
Pawson said: “It’s a real honour and a total surprise to be named TechBlast’s inaugural Star of the Week and I’m delighted to accept this on behalf of the entire Fruition team.
“Our business is built around the core values of pride, energy and persistence and they run through the DNA of both Fruition IT and Fruition Consulting.
“To be the inaugural TechBlast Star of the Week is a lovely way to start the year. Thank you.”
TechBlast’s executive editor Chris Maguire said: “Sarah was the obvious winner of our first Star of the Week award. She’s not taken any investment in either business which makes the growth even more remarkable.
“Although it’s a bit of fun, there’s a serious message to it. We want to shine a light on some of the UK tech sector’s unsung heroes.
“By choosing a Star of the Week we’ll have a cohort of 50 by the end of the year and hopefully they can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
To be considered for the Star of the Week award, entrepreneurs must be prepared to be interviewed by TechBlast. To nominate someone email [email protected].
- Sarah Pawson is speaking at a virtual event on January 31st entitled ‘Tech trends and the investment story in the Leeds City Region’ https://www.techclimbers.co.uk/webinar/tech-trends-investment-story-leeds-city-region-2022?hsLang=en-gb