Eco Plastics founder nominated for prestigious award

Jonathan Short, founder and deputy chairman of the U.K.-based plastics recycling company ECO Plastics has been named one of the finalists in the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year category in the National Business Awards 2014.

The winner of the award will be announced at the National Business Awards gala dinner on Nov. 11 in London.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes those individuals demonstrating the entrepreneurial aptitude, commercial acumen, vision, ambition and drive to build a successful enterprise.

Eco Plastics notes that the nomination reflects Short’s success in rebuilding the ECO Plastics business facility after a fire ripped through the Hemswell, U.K., facility in 2009. The business now runs the world’s largest plastics recycling plant, capable of sorting 150,000 metric tons of mixed plastic waste every year.

“This is a huge honor for me, especially to be nominated alongside such inspiring business leaders. I would like to extend my thanks to the whole team at ECO Plastics; this would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work,” says Short.

“I’m also thrilled to see the green economy starting to make waves in the wider business world. It is testament to how far the recycling industry has come in recent years that we have been recognized for our role in UK plc,” Short continues.

Alex Evans, program director of the National Business Awards, says, “The diversity and quality of this year’s finalists have firmly established the National Business Awards as the talent scout for UK plc, with market leading household names recognized alongside the best emerging business brands. With a variety of industries represented, these recovery-leading businesses have demonstrated the return on investment in people, innovation, customer service and leadership.”

Award finalists:

• Gary & Carmen Lewis, A1 Pharmaceuticals Plc
• Matthew Sanders, Brookfield Rose
• James Wilkinson, Car Loan 4U
• Jonathan Short, ECO Plastics
• Piers Daniell, Fluidata
• Simon La Fosse, La Fosse Associates
• Karl Hick, Larkfleet Group
• Stephen Fitzpatrick, OVO Energy
• Mark Smith, The Car Finance Company
• John Treharne, The Gym Group