Winner: Paul Mackie, of Rex Procter and Partners

Stalwart businessman Paul Mackie is passionate about getting the local community working.

He not only acts as an ambassador for Bradford in the business world, but also in turn talks up the business world to the people of Bradford.

As chairman of Rex Procter and Partners, he is at the helm of a hugely successful property consultancy which employs about 100 people in Bradford, Leeds and London, and he strongly believes in giving something back to the local community.

The Low Moor-based firm often throws open its doors to the district’s schoolchildren, enabling them to see a working business in action and get a taste of what life is like in a local company.

Paul is also vice-president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, and will become its president next month.

And he chairs the E3 Bradford initiative, which aims to bring local businesses and education providers closer together.

He’s also heavily involved in the Employment and Skills Board and Get Bradford Working initiative. In fact, there are few local business initiatives Paul doesn’t have a hand in.

After accepting his award, Paul said: “I’m really pleased. I hope it’s a recognition for not just the work that the company does, or what I do within our business, but also the other initiatives I’m involved in and the amount of work our staff have done with schools.

“We have had nearly 1,000 young people through our doors in the last six months, empowering them and motivating them to think about work.”

Highly commended: Saleem Kader, of Bombay Stores, and Victoria and James Robertshaw, of Keelham Farm Shop

Sponsored by Bradford Chamber