Jeff Winn acknowledged as top entrepreneur

Jeff Winn, founder of Winn Solicitors, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

Co-founder of the Newcastle-based firm which specialises in services for victims of road traffic and other accidents, Winn built his firm from scratch to a £40m-a-year business with almost 300 staff.

The firm provides a one-stop-shop for road traffic accident and other accident victims and is now one of the fastest-growing businesses of its kind in the country and recently secured a partnership with global investment companies JZ International (JZI) and Souter Investment Group to aid its expansion.

Speaking after his award win, Winn, who is also a judge for this year's Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards, said the success of the firm could be attributed to strategic risk taking, as well as a willingness to take on new challenges.

“At Winn’s we reached a stage after five years where we had a built a good business making a decent amount of money,” he said.

“But then we decided to roll the dice and take it that extra bit further. We purchased bigger premises and took a risk in the drive to succeed. And it has certainly paid off.

“People with entrepreneurial ambitions shouldn’t be frightened to get out of their comfort zone. It’s really exciting when you do and, if you do get past that five year point, you can really reap the rewards if you’ve got a good business model. People shouldn’t be afraid to push for the next level,” he added.

Mark Dugdale