A NELSON businessman will spend four days being mentored by one of Britain's top entrepreneurs after winning a prestigious award.

Matthew Riley, of Nelson-based fast-growing telecom reseller Daisy Communications, was named Corporate Entrepreneur of the Year in the final of the Bank of Scotland Corporate £25m Entrepreneur Challenge.

The title means that Mr Riley will spend four days with Sir Philip Green, owner of Arcadia and one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs.

Mr Riley said: "This is a huge success for all our employees and everyone at the company.

"To be recognised by Sir Phillip Green as a company he wants to back is testament to all their hard work.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge, though after the panel day today, the really hard work starts tomorrow! The experience, time and contacts book of Sir Phillip Green is something that money just can't buy."

Peter Cummings, Chief Executive of Bank of Scotland Corporate, said: "With the assistance of funding from the Challenge along with Sir Phillip's invaluable advice, the business will now be able to move up a gear and realise its ambitions for the future."

Sir Philip Green, said: "The panel day when we made our decision was very interesting and the finalists were all of a very high standard. They were all well prepared and gave good presentations.

"We challenged the finalists on their plans and ideas and it was difficult to make a decision, but in terms of the winner Daisy Communications showed a true entrepreneurial spirit, and they just edged it.

"They are a comparative minnow in a very big marketplace and finding a true entrepreneur in that industry was very appealing. They displayed fleet of foot and a real insight into their market's dynamics."

After securing £5million interest free funding in the regional final, Daisy Communications was one of five finalists fighting it out for the prestigious title of Entrepreneur of the Year Daisy Communications beat Iris Worldwide, Tyrrells Potato Chips, Drivetech and RB Farquar Manufacturing to the prize after a going through a rigorous round of interviews by a panel of industry experts, which includes Chief Executive of Bank of Scotland Corporate Peter Cummings, Sir Philip Green, Cahal Dowds Partner of Deloitte, and Sunday Times Business Editor John Waples.

The business already plans to use the £5million interest free funding from the Challenge to finance two further acquisitions, adding an estimated £9million of annual revenue.