Oliver North is blazing a trail in the fire and rescue market.

The former sales manager, who also served in the Royal Engineers, set up North Fire Ltd in 2008 and quickly established a reputation supplying aerial platforms and firefighting equipment provided by its Austrian partners, Rosenbauer International.

Shunning the price-cutting of many of his rivals during the recession, 32-year-old Oliver has ensured the company has a ‘premium supplier’ tag which makes it first choice for fire and rescue services across the UK and Ireland.

He said: “I’m delighted, especially as there are so many great business people here tonight. It’s all about tenacity and confidence in the products and I’ve an absolutely brilliant team. There are 11 of us and we hope to double that in the next two years.”

Oliver has grown the business dramatically In the past 12 months, securing a key partnership deal with an Essex company resulting in more than 80% of thermal imaging equipment used by UK fire and rescue and police services being supplied through North Fire.

Also nominated in this category, sponsored by Northgate Vehicle Hire, were Stacey Crowther, of The Little Group, and Salma Karolia, of Salma’s Beauty Ltd.