Young Business Person of the Year 2025
Category criteria
- Entrants for this category must be aged 40 or under on January 1, 2025.
- 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.
James Cooper
Young 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.”
Alistair Trippett
Young Business Person of the Year entrant
In October 2022, at the age of just 26, Alistair Trippett bought an estate and lettings agency that had gone into administration. Two years later he has transformed the fortunes of Heywoods Estate Agents and doubled the team from nine to 18 staff.
The Newcastle-under-Lyme based business, which was founded more than a century ago, is now thriving in an industry where many estate and lettings agencies have faced insolvency.
Heywoods’ lettings portfolio has grown by 33% in managed properties over two years, solidifying its position as a leading agency in the region. This growth has complemented its dominance in the ST5 sales market where it has nearly 15% of the market share compared to its nearest competitor’s 9% share.
The lettings team was presented with a Gold Award at the British Property Awards, a national accolade that celebrates outstanding customer service in the property sector.
The Heywoods team was also recognised with a Gold Award for Sales at the EA Masters and has been included in the Best Estate Agent Guide for 2025.
Alistair said: “In 2024, we were proud to help a total of 283 families and individuals in finding their perfect homes, marking our busiest year on record. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to our clients and our ability to deliver results even in a competitive market.
“Despite operating in an industry fraught with challenges, our strategic vision, innovative practices and community-focused initiatives position us as a leading example of sustainable growth and excellence in the property sector. We remain committed to continuous improvement, client satisfaction and contributing positively to our community.”
New operating procedures have been introduced to streamline processes and to increase efficiency and client satisfaction.
Heywoods Maintenance has been launched to offer property care for homeowners and landlords. Led by Phil Harrison, who joined in a newly-formed maintenance operative role, this initiative ensures property issues are addressed swiftly.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the company’s ethos. In 2024 it donated £10,000 to various charitable causes including donating £25 to the Peter Pan Centre for every house completion and tenant move-in during December 2024 and February 2025.
Alistair Trippett has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Heywoods Estate Agents has been entered into the Growth Award category.
Jared Kove
Young Business Person of the Year nominee
Jared Kove was working at the London Stock Exchange as a director running a large technical team – but decided to step away to join a Staffordshire tech company.
He is now Chief Technology Officer at Next2IT and Next Level Software, based at Stafford Technology Park, where he is helping to drive growth.
Just eight months into the role he has already has a transformational impact and is shaping the company’s technical direction.
His remit includes building a world-class team of highly-skilled engineers.
Deklan van de Laarschot, the company’s founder and CEO, says Jared has been instrumental in Next2IT’s rapid expansion.
“Jared was working at the London Stock Exchange but decided there could be more growth with Next2IT,” he said.
“Jared’s influence extends far beyond technical expertise - he is a true leader who inspires those around him. He fosters a workplace culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, making Next2IT not only a leading IT provider but also a great place to work.
“His ability to mentor, empower and support his team ensures that Next2IT continues to attract and retain top-tier talent. His leadership style is one that puts people first, creating an environment where individuals can grow, thrive and contribute to the company’s ongoing success.
“Jared is destined for great things. His vision, technical expertise and dedication to excellence have already positioned him as a rising star in the industry. As CTO of both Next2IT and Next Level Software, he is not only shaping the future of enterprise IT but also driving innovation in the software sector.”
Jared has been nominated in the Young Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Deklan added: “Recognising Jared as Young Business Person of the Year would honour his exceptional achievements, leadership and contributions to the Staffordshire business community, highlighting his role as one of the region’s most promising young business leaders.”