Watertight entry seals business competition prize

A competition for start-up entrepreneurs in Staffordshire Moorlands has been won by a new business providing flood risk and drainage consultancy.

The 2020 winner, Rennard Consulting, was set up in October 2019 by Faye Gennard who lives in Leek.

The second annual Dyer’s Den competition carried a prize worth £5000 in cash and business services. The final was originally scheduled for April but was moved due to the lockdown and took place online in early July.

Dyer’s Den is the idea of Jed Eatough, director of Leek based LSGK Accountants Ltd and is supported by partners Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce, Tinsdills Solicitors, Moorland Contract Group, Yellow Circle Web Solutions, Cathy Bower Photography and Mark Brammar Associates.

The prize is made up of £750 in cash, mentoring, legal and financial help and advice, membership of the Chamber of Commerce, website design and portrait photography. There is also a £250 cash prize for the runner up. The cash element of the prizes was provided by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Staffordshire Chambers of commerce.

Competition winner Faye Gennard said: “I was really excited and grateful for the opportunity to pitch my business in front of the judges. Winning the competition will be a real game-changer and I am looking forward to capitalising on the all the elements of the prize package to take my business forward.”

Jed Eatough added: “It was a really strong field this year with all three finalists giving fantastic pitches. However, the judges were unanimous that Faye was the outright winner.

“I have spoken to all the finalists after the final and they all said what a great opportunity it was and how it made them focus their minds on all aspects of their business.”

The runner up was Keates’ Boxing Academy who will receive £250 in cash.

Photo: Zoom meeting with winner Faye Gennard, bottom row left with, from left to right; Jed Eatough, Mark Brammar, Kate Hewitt from Yellow Circle, Rebecca Gwynn from Tinsdills and SMDC Cllr, Michael Bowen