His mantelpiece may be groaning with awards, but we’re delighted to add another accolade to his collection because he richly deserves it. Webmart founder and managing director Simon Biltcliffe provides a shining example of where passion, innovation, drive and vision can get you. He founded Webmart in 1996 after deciding that starting his own company would be easier than working for what was Maxwell Communications Corporation. The Webmart business has been shaped by Biltcliffe’s personal ethos that Marxism and capitalism together are unbeatable. He puts his money where his mouth is and the company’s success is shared both by employees and by the less fortunate through a charitable trust that has, among other things, set up a business school for budding entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. Constantly switched on to new possibilities, Biltcliffe’s seemingly boundless energy means he’s as likely to be sharing a new idea at 5am as he is at 5pm. He puts a lot into people development and training, and also realised early on that harnessing the power of technology would be key to his company’s success. As such he provides an inspiring example of how businesses can really make technology work for them, freeing staff for more important added-value activities such as a relentless focus on customer service.

For the full run-down of the Excellence Awards 2009 winners, click here.