Martin Port, Managing Director of Masternaut Three X the UK’s leading vehicle telematics company, has scooped a top business accolade being named as the 2008 Ernst & Young Northern Entrepreneur for Technology and Communications.

Port, Managing Director of Masternaut Three X, who fought off strong competition from 42 of the region’s finest entrepreneurs, was presented with the award by David Pollack of Chess Plc who scooped the award in 2007, at a ceremony held at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel. Port will now go on to represent the region at the national finals held in London later this year and the winner of this event will go forward to compete with winners from 40 other countries for the title World Entrepreneur of the Year at a prestigious event in Monte Carlo.
 
“Working with entrepreneurial business leaders is exciting, challenging and extremely rewarding. Ernst & Young is proud to recognise the UK’s most innovative and talented business people through the Entrepreneur of the Year awards programme,” commented Richard Hall, Ernst  & Young Entrepreneur of the Year UK Leader. 

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards programme is the business equivalent of the OSCARs, recognising entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, leadership and vision. Entries are judged by other entrepreneurs, previous award winners and business leaders with a strict selection criteria and interview process. Winners of the four UK regional events can go on to compete for both the national and international titles.

 2008 celebrates the 10th anniversary of the competition during which time the achievements of some of the UK’s most well known entrepreneurs have been recognised. Previous winners include Sir Stelios Haji-Iannou of EasyGroup, Peter Jones and Simon Woodroffe who are both perhaps better known for their roles in the BBC hit series Dragons Den and Northern regional finalist and overall winner in 2005 Martin Penny of Jemella Group, the company behind the hair care phenomenon ghd.
 
“This award is a tremendous honour recognising not only my personal achievements but also the hard work, dedication and innovation of the entire Masternaut Three X team,” said Port. “Our philosophy always has been, and always will be, to deliver what the market wants through partnership, innovation and understanding.”

 Martin Port is managing Director of Leeds based Masternaut Three X, specialists in innovative satellite tracking and mobile worker solutions over the web, that increase business efficiency, reduce overheads and minimise environmental impact. Port started the company in 2002 with only 3 employees and since built a business turning over £22 million with more than 180 employees and a 2000 plus customer base including famous brands such as Harrods, Ann Summers and even fellow entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne. 
 
This award adds to a growing list of accolades held by Masternaut Three X including a place in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2007 and a Best Companies Award in 2008.

 
CONTACT: Martin Port at Masternaut Three X - +44 (0)113 281 4000
www.masternaut.co.uk