Sophie Milliken named North East Entrepreneur of the Year

The founder of SRS Recruitment & Employability Experts (SRS), Sophie Milliken, has been named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year for the North East at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

SRS is supplies large scale assessment centre simulations in the UK, having assessed over 30,000 university students to help improve their confidence and employability.

Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, celebrates the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet.

Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are given to each region and to those who exhibit all of the hard work, determination, creativity and resilience required to rise above the rest.

Sophie was also named Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year for the North East at the awards.

With COVID-19 restrictions preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Sophie won the award during a virtual award ceremony joined by finalists across every region. She is now in the running to be named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 at the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

“Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis, as seen in this year’s entries. And that’s what we need to happen if we want our economy to bounce back. We need all of you to keep inventing, keep taking risks, keep creating new businesses.

“It’s my job as Chancellor to celebrate, champion and support you.
“Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you to all of you for everything you’ve done.”

Award winner Sophie Milliken said: “This year has been challenging for many and Team SRS have been superb in rising to the challenges presented. Particular highlights have been the pivot to move all of our in person assessment centres to a digital format, the launch of our own assessment software and the delivery of a free employability webinar series to thousands of students which has encouraged them to remain resilient in their search for graduate placements and jobs.”

Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, added: “I’m thrilled for Sophie. She was the outstanding candidate to become Entrepreneur of the Year in the North East. She exhibits everything that it means to be a Great British entrepreneur. She has a wonderful story and I can’t wait to watch SRS Recruitment & Employability Experts flourish for many years to come.”