Winner: Patrick Shepherd

A man who has risen through the ranks of one of York’s oldest family firms while supporting education and raising thousands of pounds for charity was awarded the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Patrick Shepherd was presented the prestigious award to uproarious applause from the 350 people in the room.

Each year the award is presented as a surprise on the night to one unsuspecting guest. It is a massive thank you to the man or woman whose life and work has been devoted to the betterment of our business community and of York, one whose overview and understanding is matched by action; who is unquestionably respected for integrity and intellect.

Patrick Shepherd is deputy chairman of the Shepherd Group, the business founded by his great grandfather Frederick.

After attending school in York and training as a mechanical engineer, Mr Shepherd worked in the business in manufacturing and commercial roles before working his way up to holding leading management positions in Portakabin ltd, Portasilo ltd, Shepherd Construction and Shepherd Engineering.

Outside his Shepherd commitments, Mr Shepherd has had strong links with the CBI, becoming a Regional Councillor in 1994, and was Chairman of the Regional Council in 2001/2002.

Since 2002 Mr Shepherd has been chairman of York Against Cancer, and personally helped to raise £60,000 for the cause through not one but two gruelling Lands End to John O’Groats cycle challenges.

Mr Shepherd has also raised funds for many local charities through his days as a member, and then chairman, of York Ebor Round Table.

Mr Shepherd is on the Board of Venturefest Yorkshire Ltd and the Court of the University of York, and has just been award The Morrell Fellowship from the University of York.

Married to Chris, with two sons, Mr Shepherd is a keen cyclist an skier, and is well known and respected by all his employees, knowing them all by their first names and taking a genuine interest in their well-being.

Mr Shepherd said: “I am very surprised to have won this. I have been in the family business for nearly 40 years and I just consider myself very lucky to have been involved in this business.

“This award underpins what our business is about, and I’m just really surprised and grateful to have received it.

“York Against Cancer is one of the most fantastic charities that I know.

“We raise money in York and we spend it in York and the surrounding area. Everybody’s efforts make it great.

“Both in business and in the charity I have worked with such fantastic people and I feel very humbled to have won this tonight.”