Stephen Catlin has been awarded the prestigious ‘UK Entrepreneur of the Year' Award by Ernst & Young.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year Award is considered the world's most prestigious business award competition for entrepreneurs. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Entrepreneur of The Year competition celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses. Entrepreneurs are recognised through regional, national and global awards programmes in more than 140 cities and in more than 50 nations.

Stephen Catlin is the founder of Catlin Group Limited and has been the Group's sole chief executive throughout its 27-year history.

The independent judges of the UK Entrepreneur of the Year competition remarked that Stephen's drive and vision helped put the Catlin Group in a "premier position in a sector where the UK continues to lead the world." The judges praised Stephen's vision for helping the company grow organically and globally through nurturing expert talent.

The judges also praised strategic moves by the Catlin Group such as the 2006 acquisition of Wellington Underwriting plc, which alongside geographic expansion, has allowed the Group to grow substantially. The judges also recognised the Group's sponsorship of the Catlin Arctic Survey, a three-year research initiative to increase scientific knowledge of environmental changes in the Arctic region.

Richard Hall, UK Entrepreneur of the Year Leader for Ernst & Young, said: "Stephen built his company in London but showed innovation and vision in exporting his brand across the globe. While traditional Lloyd's companies had never set up operations outside of that market, Stephen recognised the competitive advantage of global expansion, including the US, Asia, Europe and Canada. It is testament to his instinct that his company, while operating in a sector buffeted by recent catastrophes and disasters, is a global leader and is looking to further expand…." 

As the latest winner of the award, Stephen is the subject of a profile by the Financial Times (free registration required to view).

Stephen competed against 42 other business leaders to win the UK Entrepreneur of the Year competition.  Stephen will now compete globally with more than 50 other country finalists at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of The Year Awards, to be held in Monte Carlo next year.

Besides being named UK Entrepreneur of the Year, Stephen also received a separate award in the ‘Master' category of the competition.  The Master Award recognises entrepreneurs for their long-term achievements.

More information about the UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award is available on the Ernst & Young website.  Ernst & Young has also issued a press release regarding Stephen Catlin's award.