The managing director of Bradford-based Yorkshire Water has praised his colleagues after winning the Orange Business Leader of the Year award.

Kevin Whiteman collected the award at a ceremony in London. He refused to take sole credit for the accolade, saying it would not have been won without the hard work of his employees.

He said: "I do not think of this as an award for myself but more and award for the company and the people who work here.

"It's our colleagues, who are all dedicated to their work, who dictate the reputation of a company and at Yorkshire Water we are surrounded by people who are really proud to work here.

"They do a great job and it's thanks to everyone that we were successful last night."

The award marks a successful fortnight for the company.

This week water regulator Ofwat praised the firm's record on customer service and leakage reduction and last week it celebrated the tenth anniversary of the end of the hose pipe bans which blighted the company's record during the mid nineties.

It is also the second honour Mr Whiteman has garnered this year, having been made the Prince of Wales' official to Yorkshire to promote ethical business practice.

The Welshman also issued a warning, saying that the recent successes of the company should not lead to complacency.

"We are still only half way there and if we start to think of this as the culmination of our work then we start to relax and could go backwards.

"Everything could still be improve. We want to be thought of not just as the best water company but one of the best companies full stop."

Mr Whiteman began his career in coal mining with the National Coal Board in South Wales, working his way up through the management ranks.

When the industry began to decline in the 1990s he moved to the National River's Authority, which was amalgamated into the Environment Agency.

He joined Yorkshire Water as director of the waste water business before taking up his current post in 2000.

Orange's UK vice president of business services, Cynthia Gordon said: "Kevin Whiteman is a truly inspirational business leader and deserves to be recognised."

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk