Judges of The Entrepreneur of the Year

Duncan is founder of both The Prelude Group, which provides a range of innovative training and support services to growing businesses, and The Supper Club, an invitation-only club for the UK's most innovative, high growth entrepreneurs. Duncan is one of the most networked individuals in the SME sector and comments on and provides media access to entrepreneurs regularly. Most notably his e-petition on Number 10's website got over 18,000 signatures in opposition to the changes to CGT taper relief.

Julie Meyer is one of the leading champions for entrepreneurship in Europe. Julie founded Ariadne Capital in 2000 to create a new model for the financing of entrepreneurship in Europe and the UK - "Entrepreneurs Backing Entrepreneurs". She has completed transactions of over £300m in technology, media and telecoms firms out of Europe since 1988. She has been named one of INSEAD's Top 50 Alumni, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, World Economic Forum Global Leader of Tomorrow, TIME Magazine Digital 50, and one of the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Europe. Julie is one of the BBC's Online Dragons, and is on the Board of Directors of Vestergaard Frandsen & INSEAD. Julie is also a member of Vince Cable's Entrepreneur's Forum.
 

A star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, Richard is a finalist in 2011's Entrepreneur of the Year and was named HSBC's Business Thinking winner 2010. Having created and sold businesses in the sporting goods and technology industries, Richard's ecommerce business formed in 1999 was awarded eSuperbrand status by the Superbrands council. Richard's latest venture, Wow! Stuff, is the fastest growing toy company in the UK and a Fast Track 100 business aiming to deliver $500m in sales over the next 5 years. In addition to phenomenal growth the common theme across Richard's companies is a passion for innovation. 

Why has Richard decided to judge the National Business Awards?
"Like writing your business plan, I personally found that entering The National Business Awards really refreshes, tests and crystallises your company strategy and vision. Each entrepreneur is as different and diverse as the businesses they create or run. I'm not concerned if the entrepreneur is black, white, fat, thin, nervous or confident, but I am looking for common themes of absolute drive, determination and vision!"

A serial entrepreneur who took his own business Babygro Plc to a full stock exchange listing and others to AIM and Trade Sales, Sir Eric Peacock currently chairs a number of businesses including Baydonhill Plc (currency trading), AGM Transitions (transition outplacement), Mobile Technical Services Ltd (Recruitment), Halo International (Furniture), Buckley Jewellery Ltd (Jewellery and accessories), The Consulting Consortium (Compliance and recruitment), Stevenage Packaging Ltd, and Exemplas Group Ltd (Delivery organisation for government). He is also president of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management and is Founder and Chairman of The Peacock Foundation a charity which works with pre-school leavers and Chairman of Uniqueness a charity focussed on school leavers in Stevenage.