Fokhrul Islam: Scaling Up to the Top of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards
We’ve got a heavyweight champion in the world of green tech: Fokhrul Islam, the founder of Global Procurement Group, just snagged the Scale‑Up Entrepreneur of the Year (North East) title at the prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Who knew wrapping a few clever tech pieces around energy could turn into a headline‑making story?
What’s Global Procurement Group All About?
Think of the company as a secret agent for energy. Its mission: help businesses track, cut, and crush their energy consumption and carbon footprints while trimming the budget.
The business is a global operation covering Europe, the U.S., and Asia. In the UK, the local arm—Northern Gas and Power—runs a headquarters in Gateshead and offices in Newcastle and Leeds.
Video Close‑up of the Award Celebration
- Virtual ceremony: Covid‑19 restrictions meant the finals had to go digital.
- Special shout‑out from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who delivered a heartfelt message about entrepreneurs staying strong during the pandemic.
- Fokhrul’s reaction: “I’m thrilled to take home this scale‑up honour. The North East is buzzing with talent, and it’s awesome to be recognised,” he says. He also credits his team across local and international offices for turning ideas into real successes.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Take
“Entrepreneurs keep on pushing, even when the world throws a pandemic at us,” Sunak said. “That resilience is exactly what we need to see our economy bounce back.”
Starling Bank Joins the Party
Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, partnered with Starling Bank, shine a spotlight on the grit and drive of UK entrepreneurs. Anne Boden, CEO of Starling, chimed in: “We’re entrepreneurs. We collect spirit, thrive on adversity, and Fokhrul is a shining example of how creativity and innovation can change the world.”
Key Milestones for Global Procurement Group
- BusinessEnergyQuotes.com launched in spring 2020, giving UK micro‑SMEs fast price comparisons and savings.
- ClearVUE. Lite introduced in 2020 as a SaaS platform.
- Upcoming release: ClearVUE. PRO—a cloud‑based monitoring and targeting tool, complemented by energy‑monitoring hardware.
Why This Matters for the UK Economy
It’s more than a trophy. It’s a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit ramming through challenges— from a global pandemic to the ever‑changing energy market. Awards like these remind us that the UK’s vibrancy hinges on the perseverance of innovators pulling together to push boundaries and uplift the economy.
So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and cheer on Fokhrul Islam and his team. Their story is proof that when you combine innovation and grit, you create something that shines—even in the toughest of times.
