Phillip Hesketh, along with wife Sophie, runs The Belfry, a warm and welcoming bed and breakfast in the pretty seaside town of Whitby on England’s north east coast. However, it is for his perseverance and enthusiasm as a student that Phillip was awarded the title Enterprise Learner 2015. He received the accolade at the Celebrating Enterprise awards in London on 4th November. We found out what the recognition means to Phillip. Read full story

Phillip Hesketh was brought up in Ravenscar near Whitby and, having gone to university in Sheffield and lived for a time France managing holiday chalets, it was to the north east coast he returned to open The Belfry. As he says: “Buying the Belfry was a bit of a move back home, really.”

However, before making the leap into running his own B&B, in October 2014 Phillip attended a Creating and Starting Your Business Course. It was this experience that saw him nominated to become the IOEE Enterprise Learner of the Year. Having committed 100% to his studies, Phillip submitted a business plan to his bank manager, who said it was the best he’d ever seen. Since opening his business in May 2015, Phillip has show extraordinary entrepreneurial flair following his vision with absolute determination. So, how did Phillip feel when his name was announced as the winner?

“I was really surprised to be honest. I didn’t think I was going to win so it was a very pleasant surprise. It means a lot to me and it was good to get away from Whitby and visit London, make a bit of a trip of it. Sophie and I had a great time meeting people at the event and some of the speakers were very inspiring – particularly the Lifetime Achievement Award winner Lord Young.”