Business Person of the Year: Henry Carver, Carvers Business Supplies Sponsored by ArchOver

He was presented with the award by Ian Anderson of sponsors ArchOver and Mr Carver, managing director of Carvers Building Supplies for the last 30 years, told the audience: "I am only here because the people I employ are better than me."

Carvers was destroyed by a fire five years ago and judges said that Mr Carver's exemplary leadership had produced a business that is now bigger and better than ever in a tough marketplace.

The judges added that his imagination, inspiration and attention to detail were hugely respected by those who worked for him,

Mr Carver said he had been incredibly surprised to hear his name read out.

"I thought Ralph Findlay and all that he has done for Marston's was going to be a clear winner. All the other guys have achieved an awful lot," he confided.

"We were nearly destroyed by the fire and it was my employees that brought us through.

"It is still a difficult market, but we are coming through well. There is a lot of competition in our market."

"This award is for the people who have stuck with me through think and thin and in very difficult times."

Mr Carver joined the family business, established in 1896, in 1984 at a time when turnover was £2 million and the company employed 35 people. Today Carvers' turnover is £32.7m with more than 250 staff in service across all businesses.

He is a prominent figure promoting the interests of business to the local authority and promoting the city to the wider world. He was also a driving force in cementing support in the Wolverhampton Youth Zone – The Way (which opened in January 16) to the tune of £75,000 over three years.

Henry was also behind Carvers becoming the major sponsors and underwriters of the Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon event which has run since 1998.

After the devastating fire tore through the Carver premises at the site in Littles Lane on February 29, 2012, the future of the 116-year-old company hung in the balance. The following day, Henry released a statement vowing to ‘regroup and rebuild a bigger and better Carvers’ and that is exactly what he’s done.

The other three finalists in the category were Kim Carr, of FBC Manby Bowdler; Ralph Findlay, of Marston's Group and Adrian Jackson, of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Judges said it was an extremely tough category and a close call to decide on the winner.