ENTREPRENEUR Tony Cleary is a great model for aspiring business operators after growing the company he started in his sitting room into the UK’s fourth biggest wine bottler.

And the Lanchester Wine Group managing director’s success in being named Durham & Wearside Business Executive of the Year 2010 should inspire others who want to follow in his footsteps.

The hunt is on for nominations for high achievers for the North East Business Executive of the Year 2011 – the region’s biggest competition for individuals in business which is organised by The Journal and the Evening Gazette on Teesside.

Cleary has grown his Stanley-based company consistently since he founded it with his wife Veronica 31 years ago and it is responsible for filling 30,000 bottles an hour.

Lanchester Wine Group, which includes the Greencroft Bottling Company and Lanchester Property, started as a simple wine and spirits merchant but now has a fleet of articulated trucks, 185 staff and is one of the most modern plants of its kind in Europe.

Every supermarket, off-licence and trade outlet in the UK is likely to stock wine produced by Lanchester Wine Cellars.

Its overseas trade is moving into China and Taiwan. It also sells drinks-related gifts to major UK companies and employs 185 during its peak periods.

And last year it invested £1m in a new bottling line and another £800,000 in a new packing and palleting facility as it increased its sales once again.

Cleary’s growth of his company in a tough market in an economic slump is an excellent example of the type of drive and ambition sought by the judges of the North East Business Executive of the Year 2011.

And the awards, which this year has investment manager Brewin Dolphin as associate sponsor, is looking for business talent from across the North East.

The awards are split into sub-regional heats – Tyneside and Northumberland, Durham and Wearside and Teesside.

The overall winner will be chosen from the top executives who progress through to the grand final.

In addition to the top award, there are trophies for the North East Young Business Person of the Year, who must be aged 30 or under, Non-Executive Director of the Year, which aims to recognise the vital role non-executives can play in the development of companies of all sizes, whether private, public or charitable organisations, and a Lifetime Achievement award.

This year’s awards will be held at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday November 17, 2011.

HOW TO NOMINATE

To nominate a business executive or to book a table, or find out further information, log on to www.nebusiness .co.uk/businessexec or contact Lesley Hampson on 0191 201 6435 or email lesley.hampson@ncjmedia.co.uk

ROLL OF HONOUR

1984: Ian Gregg, chairman, Greggs, Newcastle.

1985: Peter Cussins, chairman, Cussins Property, Newcastle.

1986: Bent Henriksen, managing director, TSL Thermal Syndicate, Wallsend.

1987: Sir John Hall, chairman, Cameron Hall Developments, Wynyard.

1988: Sir Peter Vardy, chairman, Reg Vardy, Sunderland.

1989: Bernard Robinson, managing director, Tallent Engineering, Newton Aycliffe.

1990: Ian Harris, managing director, Bonas Machine Company, Gateshead.

1991: Dr Ralph Iley, managing director, Cookson Group, Newcastle.

1992: Karl Watkin, managing director, Crabtree, Gateshead.

1993: David Goldman, chairman, Sage Group, Newcastle.

1994: Chris Thompson, managing director, Express Engineering, Gateshead.

1995: Robert Kilsby, managing director, Edwin Trisk Systems, Sunderland.

1996: Guy Readman, chairman, Tor Coatings, Birtley.

1997: Jim Johnson, managing director, Stadium Group, Hartlepool.

1998: Lorna Moran, chief executive, Northern Recruitment Group, Newcastle.

1999: Alan Robson, joint managing director, Rotrax Engineering, Middlesbrough.

2000: Alan Noble, executive deputy chairman, Northgate plc, Darlington.

2001: Mike Browne, chief executive, ScS Upholstery, Sunderland.

2002: John Sands, executive chairman, Pubmaster, Hartlepool.

2003: John Cuthbert, managing director, Northumbrian Water, Durham.

2004: Paul Walker, chief executive, Sage, Newcastle.

2005: Sir Michael Darrington, managing director, Greggs plc, Newcastle.

2006: Gordon Banham, chief executive, Hargreaves Services, Esh Winning.

2007: John Clough, chief executive, eaga, Newcastle.

2008: Tony Trapp, managing director of IHC Engineering Business, Riding Mill, Northumberland.

2009: David Harker, chief executive of Durham County Cricket Club.

2010: Stewart Smith, executive chairman and owner of Ramsdens Financial.

At Brewin Dolphin Newcastle we have developed an integrated service which combines investment management and financial planning expertise. We have provided tailored solutions and advice for our clients since 1762. www.brewin.co.uk/newcastle