Roberts and his sons William and Ben represent the fifth and sixth generations of the family to run the business, which was established in 1852 as a paper bag merchant.

Today, the £25m-turnover business is a leading independent producer of flexible packaging, shrinkwrap, and laminated films. It employs 170 staff and operates from two factories in Leeds. The company has been based in the city for 160 years.

Roberts said he was “delighted but also humbled” to have been nominated for the accolade, which he described as “very much a family award”.

He said: “If I hadn’t had the support of my wife and family in keeping me going during the ups and downs of the trading cycle, I may have been tempted to retire many years ago. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 51 years service in the printing industry and I was delighted to be able to hand the reins to my two sons to carry on the tradition.

“I officially retired six years ago, but I still go in every day!” he added.

William Roberts is the firm’s managing director, and Ben Roberts is sales director.