BathEmpire

BathEmpire Founder Scoops Top Award

Posted on 28. Nov, 2012 by BathEmpireDavid in Our News

The founder and CEO of BathEmpire.com has been named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Chris Li scooped the top accolade at the Growing Business Awards 2012, held in association with Lloyds Bank, after the judges had been “wowed by his dynamism and energy”.

Chris was recognised for revolutionising and leading the bathroom industry by taking an entrepreneurial and digital approach to a business model that has traditionally relied upon high street presence and footfall.

He launched BathEmpire.com to sell bathroom equipment, furniture and accessories direct to the public in 2009 at the age of 26.  BathEmpire.com is part of leading multi-channel online bathroom retailer Luxury For Less which he founded in 2006.

Chris said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.  It is fantastic recognition for establishing Luxury For Less as a market leader online within six years of starting out on eBay.”

The prestigious Growing Business Awards highlight some of the country’s most exciting, innovative and scaleable business models, and over the past 14 years have identified emerging businesses that have since become household names, such as Innocent Smoothies, Autonomy and LOVEFiLM.

Mark Stokes, Managing Director of Mid Markets, Lloyds Bank Wholesale Banking & Markets, said: “Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners; they are a fascinating and highly impressive group of entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses whose future successes will no doubt play a vital part in our economic recovery.

“It’s encouraging to see so much innovation, energy and promise from all corners of the UK and across so many sectors. It’s time to champion British enterprise and ensure these businesses reach their full potential in both national and international markets.”

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy-Director General, said: “The UK’s small and medium-sized firms have some of the greatest potential to grow and increase jobs, so creating the right conditions for them to do business in is critical to the health of our economy.

“The CBI is delighted to celebrate the achievements of these firms by supporting the Growing Business Awards.”

The awards are supported by Cass Business School, Business Voice, Professional Engineering, Land Rover, Lloyds Private Banking, Spring Law, Cavendish, Visa, Your Business Your Future, Bdaily Business Network and the Financial Mail.