14th July 2010 - An award winning year for Cornerstone

Chris Petty, founder of Cornerstone Solutions in Thornaby, is celebrating after an award winning first half of 2010.

Chris was crowned the 2011 Face of Entrepreneurship for Middleborough after coming through a tough judging period in the 3rd annual If we can, you can Challenge, run by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. After being shortlisted from over 100 entrants, Chris faced a panel of fellow entrepreneurs who not only scored him on his vision for success and determination to succeed, they gave him some valuable advice and guidance to help his business realize its ambitious growth plans.

After impressing the judges, Chris was chosen as one of the ‘final two’ entrants alongside Callum Miller who owns car engineer re-manufacturing company Turbo Connect. The two then went head to head in a high profile public vote. Over 3,000 votes flooded in as people voted for their favourite business after following the finalist’s entrepreneurial journey in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette and online at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk. Chris was declared the winner on the 13th June.

Chris said:
“It is absolutely amazing to have been chosen as the winner of this year’s Challenge. Considering I was up against such tough competition in Callum, I am really thrilled to have won.

“Winning this accolade really makes all the hard work worthwhile and a testament to all those that have supported me along the way including my family. I am proud to represent North East England and the Gazette as a face of entrepreneurship.”

Chris and Callum are now helping to inspire budding and fellow entrepreneurs of all ages who are considering, starting or growing their own business.

The If we can, you can accolade is just one of the awards bestowed to Chris and his team at Cornerstone this year. The company also won the Service Award at the nebusiness awards held at Middlesbrough Football Club and went on to win the overall award to be named the best new business in the Tees valley.

The Best New Business Awards, which are co-promoted by Business Link, are now in the tenth year having been set up by local independent financial advisor Colin Brown who wanted the award to recognize successful new businesses in the Tees Valley.

Colin said, “These awards recognize the talent that there is here in the North East. Even in these challenging times for business we’ve discovered some great businesses which we predict will be winning various awards in years to come.

Cornerstone Solutions was set up by Chris and his fellow directors in June 2008 with a desire to get back to the more traditional approach to customer service in the IT support industry.

Chris said, “It’s amazing to be part of the Best New Business Awards and to win our own category was fantastic. But to win the overall award is massive and means a lot to us.”