The presentations were given in front of three judges all of whom are leading experts in their field;

Imran Hakim

BSC Hons MCOptom Dip SV

Most well known for his appearance on BBC2’s Dragons Den in 2007 with his innovative children’s toy the ‘iTeddy’, billed as the Teddy Bear for the 21st Centaury. After gaining backing from Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones with an investment of £140,000 Imran has this year put together a licensing deal with Vivid Imaginations, which will see the product in more than 40 countries world-wide.

Imran also has a diverse business portfolio of achievements, having run his own business since he was 16; he has an extensive first-hand experience of a huge range of business sectors. Imran controls a lens laboratory, spectacle frame distribution, optical retailing, management, recruitment and most recently a toy company with the development of iTeddy. He is also highly skilled in restructuring existing loss-making businesses out of administration to become successful and profitable operations. In doing this he has successfully negotiated licensing arrangements with global brands including Reebok, Longines and Revlon in order to secure distribution rights within given territories.

Imran has won several business awards including Best Newcomer to Vision Express 2005, the North West Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006, and Fusion Entrepreneur of the Year 2007. His work growing the iTeddy brand has earned him awards for Design, Innovation and Technology 07, Toy Inventor of the Year 07 and World Toy Innovation 08.

Visit the website: www.iteddy.com

Lucia Martin

Owner of Bubbles Toy Store, York

Lucia Martin is the Managing Director of ‘Bubbles’, an independent toy shop located in York. She has many years experience in the toy industry and will be able to provide a fresh perspective on what a business would be looking for from a product, and whether it has the ability to sell.

More recently, the Bubbles toy shop has branched out onto the internet, providing its entire range of products on its website.

Visit the Webiste: www.bubblestoys.co.uk

Claire Morley-Jones

Managing Director of hr180

Claire Morley-Jones is the Managing Director of hr180 an HR support and advice service for SME’s, Director of Graduates Yorkshire and Chairman of the Institute of Directors West Yorkshire Branch.  Claire started her business in 2006, employs 9 members of staff and utilizes innovative working practices to secure the best employees and deliver to the highest standards.

Prior to setting up hr180, Claire had a very successful career working in a variety of industries from local government and charity to professional services and telecomms.  Some employers have been O2, St John Ambulance, The Open University and Eversheds although Claire did take a year off in 2004 to travel the world!  After securing the experience she felt she needed, she started her own business at the age of 28.

Claire’s business operates very differently from the norm (there is no office for a start!) with a caring, flexible and pragmatic approach to everything, employees and clients alike, and has grown from just £2,000 savings.  Her managing director role encompasses many facets including managing the team, client account management, HR delivery, business strategy and marketing.

Claire has also ensured that hr180 is heavily involved in the community with every member of staff contributing in some way to various charitable efforts.  Claire herself trains interview skills to refugees, is a member of the Leeds University CETL Project team, an Ambassador for Women in Business and a mentor on the "spreadlikewildfire" website.

Visit the website: www.hr180.co.uk