BATLEY-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson has been named Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors for his success with the Leeds-based LNT Group.

Mr Tomlinson, who also won the award for director of the year of a large company, said he was delighted to be recognised “in such illustrious company”.

Mr Tomlinson, who received his award from former Cabinet minister Michael Portillo, said: “The calibre of the other businesses makes me feel so humble. It is fantastic to be recognised for the hard work and the businesses that I have built up over the last 20 years

“When you are running so many businesses you are in your own little orbit and you don’t think that you are doing anything out of the ordinary.”

LNT Group, based at Garforth, has interests in care homes construction, software and the Ginetta car manufacturing business.