“Whilst it is nice to be personally recognised the award is really a reflection of the effort of the individuals and teams within Benson Group,” said Kerridge.

He added that 2014 was the first time he’d entered, as it was “the appropriate time” in the firm’s development from a family-owned business, through the MBO to new corporate ownership.

Kerridge will go through to the EY Entrepreneur of the Year national awards, which will be revealed in October, although he added “I’m very happy with the award for the Midlands”.