Alumni Business Person of the Year 2025
Category criteria
- Entrants for this category must be University of Staffordshire alumni.
- Entrants could be employed or self-employed but should be directly responsible for the success of their enterprise.
- The judges will be looking for evidence of the entrants’ determination to make the most of new opportunities to help fuel their company’s success.
Adele de Caso
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
Tens of thousands of people around the world follow the daily exploits of the business run by University of Staffordshire alumna Adele de Caso and her daughter, Sofia.
Paco’s Place, in Trentham, is a Dachshund Hotel – one of just a handful in the UK.
They offer a boutique, family experience for Dachshunds when their human family members are on holiday which is so sought after that pet-lovers travel from as far as The Lake District and London to use the service.
The business, set up by Adele and Sofia in May 2018, has around 46,000 followers on Instagram and 50,000 on TikTok with some of their posts receiving hundreds of thousands of likes.
Paco’s Place is becoming a known brand sought out for collaborations by other pet-related and dog-friendly friends.
Adele and Sofia have even started travelling around Europe with their own dogs at the invite of dog-friendly hotels keen for Paco’s Place to create social media content for them – including recent trips to Italy, Austria, Spain, France and London.
“We recently did a collaboration with a hotel in Madrid and with Marriott and Sheraton hotels in London,” said Adele, who owns and runs two other businesses alongside Paco’s Place. “We are offered vehicles to use for our shoots and are invited to dog friendly events and festivals.
“Paco’s Place is our lifestyle and a passion as well as a business for us. It’s gradually becoming a brand and we will launch various branded products.”
The family set the business up seven years ago as they knew how difficult it was to find someone to care for their own Dachshunds.
“At that point I only knew about one other Dachshund hotel and I said to my husband that I’d always fancied running something like that. He just said let’s do it,” said Adele.
“We can have up to 10 dogs at any one time. They all have their own individual diets and eat at the time that suits them. We have some that don’t enjoy walks so when we take them out we have dog pushchairs as well as dogs on leads. We get a lot of attention.”
Adele has entered Paco’s Place into the Innovation and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and she has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories.
Ben and Michael Dyer
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
A career development and education organisation founded by cousins Ben and Michael Dyer while studying at University of Staffordshire has now impacted the lives of more than 700,000 young people around the globe.
The Stoke-on-Trent born cousins are co-founders of The Inspirational Learning Group which used innovative learning programmes to develop career readiness and employability skills.
Their flagship programme, The National Careers Challenge, in partnership with NatWest Thrive, is sponsored by Air Products, British Airways and Wickes and more than 50,000 young people across the globe will engage with the programme during this academic year.
In addition to a portfolio of challenges and an international presence that is growing at pace, Ben and Michael lead their team to produce bespoke school programmes for clients including JCB, NHS and the Financial Conduct Authority and leverage these partnerships to provide additional engagement opportunities for students in Staffordshire and beyond.
Ben and Michael are currently exploring further opportunities within India, Dubai and Hong Kong and additional opportunities in the UK which will ensure The Inspirational Learning Group continues to grow.
From humble beginnings in 2013, working from a rented office on the University of Staffordshire campus, TILG has become a market-leader in the careers education sector, with its flagship The National Careers Challenge now the largest school enterprise competition in the UK.
New partnerships developed in 2024/25 with the NHS, Financial Conduct Authority and GCHQ have widened the scope of work for the company and opportunities for additional innovative programmes for young people. These collaborations complement existing partnerships with the likes of NatWest Thrive, Air Products, British Airways, Wickes and General Electric.
Ben and Michael led the successful launch of the National Careers Challenge in China and the UAE, expanding the company’s influence and offering international students exposure to UK-based career opportunities.
Ben and Michael are committed to supporting their local communities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, ensuring as many students as possible have access to fully funded, tailored programmes designed to prepare them for the future.
Their local initiatives include 47 primary schools taking part in the Start Small, Dream Big 2025 programme, 2,000 students from 10 schools in Staffordshire and Derbyshire participating in the JCB Solutions Challenge and all secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent participating in My Digital Future Challenge promoting digital skills for local careers.
They have also developed Lightbulb Online, a platform providing 360-degree career exploration and accessible resources for students, including those with special educational needs.
Ben and Michael Dyer have entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Kate Holt
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
As the managing director of BusinessLodge Stoke, Kate Holt oversaw the purchase and transformation of a former Npower building into high-spec serviced offices with an on-site gym.
The Staffordshire University Sports and Leisure Management alumna previously established four similar developments in Bury, Lancashire, but had never forgotten her student days in Stoke-on-Trent and saw the opportunity to do something similar in the city.
In 2019 Kate headed up the project to convert Trent House in Stoke-on-Trent and is responsible for building a professional, friendly team who aim to go the extra mile for their clients at the Stoke-on-Trent and Bury sites.
BusinessLodge Stoke had a 100% occupancy rate for most of 2024 and recently bought Heron House in Heron Cross, due to open in August 2025, to accommodate more businesses.
Kate negotiated the purchase, developed the plans and layout of the space, initiated the tender process and awarded the contract for the work. She is an advocate of using local businesses and the builders and suppliers all come from the surrounding area.
Last year Kate also opened BusinessLodge Widnes after with a full refurbishment of a building with all the amenities and services of the other BusinessLodge sites.
She is committed to working towards to net zero including through zero to landfill, insulation, eco electricity, lighting sensors and EV chargers.
Within each centre Kate and her team ensure their clients are fully supported and each treated according to their bespoke needs as they grow, take on flexible working, move to larger accommodation or downsize. They range from freelancers to an international gym equipment supply business.
The team organise social events, networking sessions and charity fundraisers for businesses based at the offices such as Nespresso pop-ups, Beautiful Bakes, Six Towns Gin and La Piccola Pizza.
BusinessLodge Stoke sponsors local events and teams including Stoke Pride, which was particularly important to Kate as a gay MD. The business sponsors five Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce events per year, Stone Food and Drink Festival, a local female footballer from Leek Town FC and the Powerchair soccer player and Your Heroes Awards winner Dylan Kelsall.
Kate Holt has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Ellina Pollitt
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
What began as a solo project for Ellina Pollitt during her time as a student at University of Staffordshire has turned into an award-winning, internationally-recognised jewellery brand.
Ellina, who co-designed the University’s mace, has had her designs featured in Vogue magazine, The Jeweller and recently had a multi-page feature about her work and career in the glossy French magazine Moevir.
Originally from Russia and now living in Biddulph, Ellina has exhibited at major national and international events such as Munich Jewellery Week, the Goldsmiths Fair and the Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair in London.
Her shortlisting for the 2024 NAJ Rising Star of the Year Award is a testament to the growing industry recognition her business is receiving.
She blends traditional jewellery-making techniques with cutting-edge technologies such as fibre laser cutting and powder coating.
Ellina joined University of Staffordshire in 2016 for a foundation year followed by a BA (Hons) in 3D Design (Jewellery) which she completed with First-Class Honours. She later returned to join the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, which supported the development of her business.
She is a strong advocate of the transformational power of education and says she owes much of her current success to the support she has received during her time at University of Staffordshire.
“I appreciate so much everything that the University has done for me,” she said. “I wouldn’t have done it without all of the people at the University. I never thought I’d be where I am today with my own business, but the University has helped me.
“University of Staffordshire played a critical role in laying the foundation for the growth of my business. Through access to mentors, equipment, entrepreneurial guidance and a strong creative network I was able to go from student to award-winning business owner in a few short years.
“The skills, resilience and confidence I gained during my academic journey continue to drive me forward as I scale my brand and explore new avenues for growth.”
Ellina Pollitt has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year, Growth, Entrepreneur of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
James Cooper
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
The videography and animation company that University of Staffordshire alumnus James Cooper launched just as the UK was going into its first lockdown is now working with national brands.
JCFX Media, based in Burntwood in Staffordshire, quickly found an early niche helping businesses and organisations with their pandemic messaging and has gone on to work for the likes of Goodyear Tyres, QE Hospital in Birmingham and the Resuscitation Council UK.
James graduated from University of Staffordshire in Film and TV Production Technology in 2012 and became the in-house videographer at the Walsall HQ of One Stop before leaving to set up his own business in February 2020.
He has expanded his portfolio from videography to animation, aerial filming, green screen work and time lapse photography.
His work has now been shown in cinemas and even on Sky TV.
James’s commitment to the communities within which he is based has included visiting local schools such as Ridgeway and Chase Terrace Academy during National Careers Week to talk to students about his experiences running a small limited company.
The 35-year-old has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
He said: “I’m proud of JCFX Media’s growth and that it has gone from being a community-based business to one that is competing with larger established production companies that are usually based outside the region.
“I hope that the company’s impressive year-on-year developments and the quality and diversity of the clients I’ve worked with showcases why JCFX Media and I should be a prime candidate for this prestigious award.”
Mark Pennington
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
University of Staffordshire alumnus Mark Pennington has taken EPX Technical Services from a two-person team to a staff of 28 and a projected £2.6 million turnover for 2025.
The company he co-founded, now based at Beaconside in Stafford, secured a place on the MSP 501 Winners List in 2024 which ranks it among the world’s top IT service providers.
Mark’s entrepreneurial journey began with a passion for technology and a drive to build a business that truly made a difference.
His focus on cybersecurity and AI-driven innovation has positioned EPX as a trusted IT partner for businesses across the UK and beyond.
Rather than maintaining the status quo, Mark has actively pursued expansion through strategic acquisitions. Over the past decade he has successfully integrated three companies, each acquisition carefully chosen to strengthen EPX’s service offerings and ensure sustainable growth.
Mark’s commitment to innovation is evident in his most recent achievement: the development and launch of Insights, an AI-driven tool designed to revolutionise IT support efficiency. Recognising that time saved on service tickets translates to measurable business impact, Mark championed the integration of AI to enhance automation across EPX’s operations.
Insights is more than just a company initiative, the tool has gained international traction with customers across the UK, US and Australia already adopting it to improve service delivery. With a projected expansion over the next 18 months, Insights is positioning EPX as a leader in AI-driven IT service optimisation.
Alongside being Managing Director of EPX Technical Services Mark has taken a leadership role in the wider MSP industry by establishing a non-executive working group. Through this initiative he provides business leaders with a framework to implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System model, helping fellow MSPs strengthen their operations and scale effectively. His commitment to industry-wide collaboration reflects his belief that success should be shared and that the growth of the MSP sector benefits all stakeholders.
Mark graduated from University of Staffordshire in 2006 with a BSc in Internet Technology, gaining the technical foundation and problem-solving skills that would later shape his career in IT services.
He said: “University of Staffordshire played a pivotal role in fostering my passion for technology and innovation, setting me on the path to co-founding EPX Technical Services.”
Mark has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Sharon Whiston
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
University of Staffordshire law alumna Sharon Whiston left her role as head of family law at a firm to set up her own business because she wanted to make a difference in the community where she was born.
Based in Basford, she now works as a freelance family and divorce lawyer and has introduced various strategies to make it easier for people to access free or low-cost legal advice.
She offers pro bono advice, low fixed fees, pay as you go and now legal coaching to support clients who want to represent themselves to save costs.
Sharon has even trained in CBT and therapy so that she can offer a holistic service to clients going through family or divorce proceedings.
“I don’t know anyone else who offers therapy to clients alongside legal services,” she said. “Family law clients are often going through an emotional time with stress and anxiety, I am able to offer something unique to support them.
“Clients used to jokingly thank me for the therapy after receiving legal advice and now, using therapy I am trained to deliver, I can help them to feel empowered and better able to deal with the situation which can them help them to save costs.”
Sharon studied at Stoke-on-Trent College and was eight months pregnant when she started her law degree at University of Staffordshire. She has also completed a Masters in Legal Practice Management and has given birth to two children while studying at the University.
After completing her studies she founded her own business, Whiston Law, which later merged with Hacking Ashton LLP.
Her two decades as a lawyer have also included time as Director and Head of Wills and Probate at GT Law and later Head of Family Law at Salmons Solicitors.
Sharon has entered the Business in the Community and Allumni Business Person of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
She added: “Everyone should be able to access legal advice and this is my motivation for setting up my business.”
Elliott Johns
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
The film production company Elliott Johns founded while studying at University of Staffordshire is now working with national brands and helping to create independent films.
First Reunion Productions has clients including Merlin Entertainment, The Inspirational Learning Group and IronMarket Wealth. It has collaborated on films including one featured on the Raindance Film School website.
Elliott started the company in the second year of his Media Film Production degree, kept it running part-time after he graduated in 2015 and by 2019 had built the business to the point where he was able to work on it full-time.
He works with a team of around 20 freelance film creatives who collaborate on one another’s projects which led to him co-founding Staffordshire Film Collective.
The Collective, most of whom are University of Staffordshire alumni, have released a number of films and work together to develop skills and help others to build a film career in Staffordshire.
“We’re showing people that you can have a career in the film industry and be based in this region, that you don’t have to move away,” said Elliott. “It’s really fun to work together and we’re incredibly lucky to have the sort of clients we have.
“Running this business and working in this industry is generally awesome. It’s a blessing. I was lucky to be able to start using a film camera from an early age, from year nine at school, and I haven’t stopped since.
“Everyone in the collective works really hard, supports one another and we see the benefits of that.”
Elliott, who runs his business from Beaconside Business Village in Stafford, has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. He has also entered First Reunion Productions into the Small Business of the Year category.
Andrew Weston
Alumni Business Person of the Year nominee
From leading personal training sessions and fitness classes to offering free drop-ins for children in his local community, Andrew Weston works with people of all ages and abilities.
The founder and owner of Guerrilla Training in Hartshill, Andrew was also a co-founder of non-profit social enterprise IN2Health and Wellbeing and leads much of its delivery across Stoke-on-Trent.
The University of Staffordshire alumni runs sessions in schools around the city as well as from his own business premises that he opened in 2013.
“I work with various types of people from people looking to try to lose weight to people with disabilities and people who have had accidents. I do one-to-one personal training, small group personal training, large classes for up to 25 people and work in the community.
“Every Wednesday afternoon I run a youth club for an hour for seven to 14-year-olds in the local community and in the school holidays I open up for holiday clubs. Children from the local community who receive free school meals can come for free activities for up to four hours a day, usually a few days each week.”
The 42-year-old, from Meir Park, has been working in the fitness industry since the age of 19. He studied for management qualifications with University of Staffordshire and says he always aspired to open his own gym.
Andrew has been nominated in the Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year categories of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
He said: “It’s nice to be recognised for the work that I do. I just go to work every day and don’t seek any recognition. I do love helping people get fit and love working with people from different backgrounds. It’s a real passion of mine.”
Andrew was nominated by Tomasz Putynkowski from JMT Accountancy.
Tomasz said: “I am honoured to nominate Andrew Weston for the University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Andrew has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and dedication through his successful management of Guerrilla Training and IN2Health and Wellbeing.
“His commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of young people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, along with his personal achievements, make him a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.”
Wayne Glover
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
A business that Wayne Glover founded while studying at University of Staffordshire now works with around 7,500 children per week and employs 26 members of staff.
The business, Time4Sport, also has a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University which involves Wayne and his team working with two academics to create an app and platform to support children who are above their ideal weight.
Time4Sport, which has its headquarters at Michelin Sports Centre, works with thousands of children and families across Staffordshire and Cheshire every week.
Time4Sport was established in 2007 and has been built on a desire to improve the lives of children and families through PE and sport, with a passion for promoting the benefits of healthy living. It is a physical education, physical activity, sport, health and wellbeing service provider and delivers activities in schools and directly to families. It offers school services, extra-curricular clubs, Time4Swimming, holiday camps and Time4Wellbeing.
The business began when founder and Managing Director Wayne was studying for a degree in Sports Development and Coaching.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I graduated so in the summer between my second and third year I went to the US and did some coaching,” he said.
“Then in my final year, before I graduated in 2005, I did coaching at schools. I saw a teacher trying to deliver what I had delivered and realised that primary schools weren’t being supported to deliver high quality PE sessions.”
Wayne was able to join an enterprise fellowship scheme through the University after pitching his business idea. He received support for the first two years, has business space at the University for two years and received start-up funding.
“I received £6,000 funding to get the business up and running. Halfway through the programme there was a competition for an additional £6,000 of funding, which Time4Sport won. It made all the difference and Time4Sport is still going all these years later.”
Wayne is passionate about empowering children to build a fitter, healthier and happier future, believing that positive habits formed in childhood lay the foundation for a lifetime of wellbeing.
He has a team of 26 staff and worked with the University’s Unitemps team to recruit an additional 50 temporary staff last summer to support with the Holiday Activities and Food provision for children in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are in receipt of income-related free school meals.
Wayne has an ongoing relationship with academics in the University’s sports department and helps to support current students.
“I still have quite a few links with the University of Staffordshire and even work in a number of Staffordshire University Academy Trust schools,” he added.
Wayne has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Time4Sport has entered the Innovation and Business in the Community categories.
David Whitehouse
Alumni Business Person of the Year entrant
University of Staffordshire Computing Science alumni David Whitehouse wanted a sustainable working space for his seven employees – so he commissioned a net zero, eco-friendly office in the grounds of his own home in the Staffordshire countryside.
Once inLIFE Lodge, the new home for his business inLIFE Design, was up and running in early 2024 he commissioned a media cabin for video, photography and podcasting which is powered solely by the sun and wind, has a recycled water toilet and a rooftop wildflower garden.
The founder and managing director of inLIFE, David graduated from University of Staffordshire in 2004 and worked with various blue-chip companies before setting up his own business in 2011.
He has offered numerous work placements to University of Staffordshire students and inLIFE’s head developer, Laura Bucknall, is a University of Staffordshire alumna.
Initially based in a home office, the business moved to Burntwood Business Park in 2015 and is now located in Chasetown.
David said: “My vision was to set a precedent for the office of the future. The goal was to seamlessly blend sustainability with cutting-edge technology.
“The new space features AI-powered automation, including individual presence sensors that adjust lighting, automated water irrigation, plug wattage measurement for energy efficiency and personalised staff lighting.
“The office even includes chickens that provide fresh eggs for the team and a zip line, fostering a truly eco-friendly and innovative work environment.”
InLife specialises in web design and digital marketing with clients ranging from Twycross Zoo and the Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules to locally-based plumbers and electricians.
David said the company’s USP is its sustainability and that the team look at SEO alongside development.
He added: “Post-covid most businesses in our sector went to home working but we wanted to keep that human element.”
David Whitehouse has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and inLIFE Design has been entered into the Small Business of the Year category.