*Duncan Goose, founder of not-for-profit organisation Global Ethics and the bottled water brand One which makes donations towards the charity PlayPumps International, has been named as the Credit Suisse Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business Awards 2008 in the UK. *
Mr Goose was presented with his award by Brian McRitchie, UK Director of Credit Suisse, at a glittering award ceremony and gala dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel attended by more than 1,200 business leaders, press and other VIPs including Peter Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business.
The National Business Awards is the UK’s number-one, cross-industry Awards programme and has been described by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’, attracting entries from a wide variety of successful organisations; from FTSE 250s through to thriving entrepreneurial businesses. This year was no exception; entrants had a combined turnover of €1.4 billion, resulting in 170 finalists and just 17 winners.
One water donates 100% of its profits to fund the development of unique roundabout powered water pumps, called PlayPumps in Africa. The system uses roundabouts as water pumps – when children play on the roundabout they provide a free, clean and sustainable water supply for the whole community. To date, One water has raised €1.67 million, all of which has gone to funding 219 PlayPumps and providing clean water to over 500,000 people.
Mr Goose commented: “I’m honoured – this award is testament to all those who have shared our vision and chosen to buy ‘One’ over another brand of bottled water, helping us to change the lives of over half a million people. While we can’t eradicate water scarcity overnight, with the support of our customers we will continue to change the world one person, one day at a time.”
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