It was a triumph born of tragedy.
When his wife Sue lost her hair during chemotherapy, Glenn Paxman was determined to find a way of helping her and others to retain their dignity.
Drawing on the expertise build up through family business Brewfitt – supplying drinks dispense and cooling equipment – Glenn and brother Neil developed the Paxman Cooler.
The scalp cooling device helped cancer patients retain their hair during chemotherapy by restricting the flow of blood – and the chemicals used in the treatment – to the scalp and hair follicles.
Although Sue did not survive, Paxman Coolers, the company formed to develop and sell the systems, is helping patients worldwide to retain their dignity and self-esteem.
Glenn, who now chairs both Paxman Coolers and Brewfitt, based at Fenay Bridge, was recognised for his business achievements, his involvement in cancer charities and his allegiance to Huddersfield with the accolade of Business Person of the Year.
Take a look at our live report from the night here
The award was presented by Jeremy Garside, managing partner of law firm Chadwick Lawrence, which sponsored the category and the awards evening.
Mr Garside said: “Despite losing his wife in 2000, Glenn has continued to push the business forward in her memory – with the specific aim of helping thousands of patients dealing with the trauma of cancer.
“Today, his company, Paxman Coolers, successfully supplies its scalp-cooling system to 32 countries around the world.”
Glenn is also a big family man. His four children, Curtis, Claire, and twins Richard and James, are all involved in the family businesses while brother Neil is still heavily involved in design and development for both companies.
Glenn remains a committed champion of fundraising efforts to combat cancer with his backing for organisations such as Walk the Walk, the UK’s leading grant making breast cancer charity, and his company’s “Cool head, warm heart” campaign, which aims to raise the profile of scalp cooling and its availability in hospitals across the country.
“Wow, I hadn’t a clue,” he said.
“This is absolutely stunning. I am so proud. I feel humbled.
“I can only say that my family have been absolutely wonderful. My late wife was wonderful and people who knew her going through her battle with cancer found her inspirational.”
Talking about the Paxman Cooler, he said: “Being able to help people retain their dignity is so satisfying. It empowers people to go out and enjoy life without thinking everyone is looking at them as a patient.”
He also congratulated the night’s other winners for “showing everyone what Huddersfield is all about.”
Mr Paxman said: “We are so understated we have to shout about what we do and show what we can do.”
And he added: “Believe in yourselves, be inspirational and you can generate business and help build communities.”
