Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards dished out at Bridgwater College (From This is The West Country)

Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards dished out at Bridgwater College

8:00am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in Somerset By Matthew Colledge

A 20-YEAR-OLD Bridgwater man has overcome severe learning difficulties and the sudden death of his father to be crowned Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Alex Gordon scooped the prize at Thursday night’s Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards, for launching A and C Tree and Garden Care, despite having dyspraxia and coping with the sudden death of his dad in 2011.

Alex's firm helps people, particularly those with disabilities, to care for their garden and outside spaces.

He was nominated by Emily Larrington, student liaison team manager at Bridgwater College, which hosted Thursday’s ceremony.

She said: “Alex has overcome many barriers to get this far in life and has not let anything hold him back.

“His dyspraxia has meant that writing and sequencing of thoughts can be a challenge but Alex has shown a hard working attitude and determination."

The awards were run by Pardoes Solicitors in partnership with the college and Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce.

The winners were:

• Best International Trader - Hippychick Ltd
• Best Large Business - Pardoes
• Best Medium Business - Cricketer Farm
• Best Small Business - C2 Safety Ltd
• Business Innovation - Langdon Industries Ltd
• Business Leader of the Year - Chris Barrett
• Family Business of the Year - Somewhere House Ltd
• Green Business of the Year - Smedegaard Pumps Ltd
• Marketing and Promotion - Cricketer Farm
• New Business of the Year - LetsBothTalk
• Service Excellence - C2 Safety Ltd
• Staff Development - Turners Optometrists
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Alex Gordon