Watkin Jones News
Mark Watkin Jones named ‘Ernst & Young Real Estate Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008’
Wednesday, June 11th 2008
Bangor business leader, Mark Watkin Jones was named ‘Ernst & Young Real Estate Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008’ at an awards ceremony in Manchester.
The awards were judged by an independent panel of prominent business leaders, including Simon Nixon, MD of Moneysupermarket.com Group Plc; Dylan Thwaites, CEO of Latitude Group Ltd; and Gary Jacobson, MD of Bifold
Fluidpower Ltd.
Appointed MD in 2002, Mark is the ninth generation of the same family to run the Watkin Jones Group. Since he took over, the company’s turnover has grown to £108million and is now recognised as a national rather than a regional builde
and developer.
Judges highlighted how Mark stabilised the business and produced a platform for growth. Barry Flynn, senior partner at Ernst & Young said: “Investing heavily in staff development and training, Mark identified niche markets where the business could act as a developer and builder on a national scale. Mark has reconfigured corporate structures, entered the student accommodation market, increased the use of off-site manufacturing and increased spending on training.”
Celebrating its tenth anniversary in the UK, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Operating in 50 countries, EOY encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.
Photograph: Mark Watkin Jones MD of Watkin Jones Group [left] and award presenter James Newman, Chairman of Straight Plc [right]– a member of the Ernst & Young award judging panel.
