Judges 2012 

Kevan Blackadder

Kevan Blackadder, Editor of the Gloucestershire Echo, will chair the judging panel for the second year.

Kevan said: “It’s crucial for both the University and Gloucestershire as a whole that students and academics work closely with the county’s businesses. I’m delighted to be involved with the awards because I’m confident they will help recognise this growing relationship.”

Gloucestershire Media is part of Northcliffe Media, which is a division of Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) which has UK and international media interests spanning national and regional newspapers, news and classified websites, television, radio, exhibitions and information publishing. Gloucestershire Media runs the local Gloucestershire Echo and Citizen newspapers as well as the thisisgloucestershire news website.

John Caines OBE

John Caines OBE, is a chairman, investor and business coach who enables businesses and business people to achieve their goals following his own successful entrepreneurial career.

After building his own start-up into a profitable £40 million per annum group, now quoted on the London AIM Stock Market, John is helping other business leaders, especially entrepreneurs, through his portfolio of directorships, coaching and consulting assignments. He has led both company turnarounds and rapid growth situations.

John has chaired a thriving Business Angel Network. Author of ‘The Effective Entrepreneur’ and he is a frequent speaker at events for the entrepreneurial community on the subjects of business leadership and early stage business funding. John was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year Honours List for ‘Services to Entrepreneurship and Business’.

John added:
“Entrepreneurs are the drivers of the innovation and job creation that are so needed for our economic wellbeing and I am pleased to encourage and support the next generation through these Awards.”

Baroness Rennie Fritchie DBE

Baroness Rennie Fritchie is an Independent Crossbench Peer, Chair of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust for Mental Health in Gloucestershire, Chair of Nominet the .uk Registry and a Consultant on Strategy and Leadership working out of Mainstream Development.

A former chair of Council and Pro Chancellor of Southampton University she chaired the JINCHES year long Review of Higher Education Finance and Pay Data.

In 1999 she was appointed Commissioner for Public Appointments and a Civil Service Commissioner, a post she held for seven years.
Baroness Fritchie is the holder of seven Honorary Degrees from the Universities of Southampton, York, Oxford Brookes, St Andrews, The Open University, Hull University and Queen’s University, Belfast, and Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire, City & Guilds, London, Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Sunningdale Institute, part of the National School of Government.

In February 2012, Baroness Fritchie was named as the new Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire.

Baroness Fritchie said: "Innovation is about new thinking and may come from a big idea but more often comes from someone with an enquiring mind and lots of determination who doesn't give up when the way ahead is not clear. These awards are about people who make a difference and will themselves make a real difference in the County."

John Thurston

John Thurston is Chairman of the Watts Group, a private family-owned company established in Lydney, Gloucestershire, more than 150 years ago by his great great grandfather.

John was a pupil at Wycliffe College. Before reading Mechanical Sciences at Selwyn College, Cambridge, he was apprenticed to Marconi and subsequently worked for Vauxhall Motors. As well as running an insurance assessing practice he participated in the European Touring Car Championship. 

John returned to Gloucestershire and joined Watts in 1965. The establishment of Watts Industrial Tyres with manufacturing in China, Sri Lanka and Brazil and global sales was a complete contrast to the Group's local motor vehicle dealerships and even setting up a bakery in one of the first self service petrol stations.

He served as President of National and European Motor vehicle and Tyre Associations. He was a member of Gloucestershire Learning & Skills Council and Gloucestershire Business Link.

He continues the Watts' tradition of involvement in and support for the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire communities. He is a Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire and the current Prime Warden of The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.

John said:
"The most rewarding aspect of my varied work and leisure activities is establishing a bridge to the future.  I am delighted to be part of this exciting initiative, which both recognises and rewards enterprise."

Edward Gillespie (Ceremony Host)

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, is giving his support to the University of Gloucestershire’s Enterprise Awards for the second year. 

Edward graduated from the University of York with a degree in Politics in 1973 and joined United Racecourses, owners of Epsom, Kempton Park and Sandown Park racecourses, as a Trainee Manager in 1974. In 1980 he was appointed General Manager at Cheltenham and was subsequently appointed to the Board.

In 1994, on its acquisition by The Jockey Club, he was appointed Managing Director of United Racecourses (Epsom, Kempton Park and Sandown Park), continuing as Managing Director at Cheltenham.

He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Hon Freeman of Cheltenham and Hon Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire.

Edward said:
“These awards are great news.  Having the focus of these awards will undoubtedly identify individuals, partnerships and teams who will make real impact on the region.  They will recognise the University of Gloucestershire for inspiring their future success.”