The Biz

Winners all ... Chris Baxter, left, GMTV star Fiona Phillips, The Sun's Ian King and Geoff

Geoff Baxter and wife Chris have won the first Trading Places award presented to the folk who beat hard times by starting a small business.

The pair, from Middlesborough, Teeside, make promotional goods from recycled plastic. The award is backed by The Sun, Business Link, the Prince's Trust and the Department for Work & Pensions.

The Biz - 2004

INSPIRATIONAL CLEVELAND MANUFACTURER NAMED UK’S TOP NEW BUSINESS STAR IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT-BACKED AWARDS

An entrepreneurial couple from Middlesbrough who triumphed against personal adversity to start their own business manufacturing recycled promotional goods today scooped the first prize of £7,000 in the inaugural government-backed awards, Trading Places.

Beating off stiff competition from 11other National Finalists, Geoff and Chris Baxter - Proprietors of Baxter Promotions - were presented with the winner’s cheque and trophy by Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in front of an audience of 300 businessmen and women at London’s Café Royal.

Aspect Communications - 16 November 2004