Thompsons md wins entrepreneur award

The boss of independent builders merchant Thompson Building Centres has won a major business award in the north east.
Anne Ganley was named North East Entrepreneur of the Year at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum gala dinner, just a week after returning from a charity fund-raising trek to Everest Base Camp.

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum comprises some of the region’s most dynamic and successful to entrepreneurs and business people and Ganley has been an active member for a number of years – but declared herself to be taken by complete surprise when she was announced as the winner.

“Not many people say I’m a woman of few words but I am totally taken by surprise, I really appreciate this, thank you,” she told the 300 strong audience at the event.

Mark Hatton, senior partner of accountancy company Ernst & Young, presented the award and described her as having “a heart of gold and a nuclear reactor as an energy source”.

“She has exceptional levels of energy, passion, determination and drive. Her will to win is bewildering. She is a real survivor in an incredibly tough and tight market. She has really stood out in the last year,” he said.