THE man behind the creation of York Business Week who went on to lead the annual event for four years is in the running for one of the personal awards on the night.

Although now living in Australia, the boundary rules have been relaxed to allow Nick Eggleton to stand for Business Personality of the Year.

Mr Eggleton founded and organised the first York Business Week five years ago, and each subsequent year raised sponsorship and organised the organisers of more than 100 individual events.

Stating the effect of his moving to Australia has been shown the void left, in which plans are yet to be announced for 2014's Business Week, Mr Eggleton said previous events have succeeded in their purpose to "inspire, grow, and celebrate business in York" and well as succeeding in "moving the perception that York was a backwater of enterprise to a perception and reality that the city is an enterprise jewel in the Leeds City Region".

In the running of York Business Week Mr Eggleton managed public, private and third sector stakeholders in what he described as a "collaborative and effective way".

Organisational agendas were set aside, a team was created, and from a standing start with no capital the event became a multi award-winning beacon, known and respected nationally.

Mr Eggleton believed in corporate social responsibility on a business community scale. Inspired by former philanthropist of years gone by he gave his time, energy and vision freely.

Driven to achieve success for the community rather than himself, Mr Eggleton also gave time to York Professionals, York Retail Forum and the City Team, saying he "cares passionately about the city and a sustainable economy, seeking no personal fame or fortune from the work".

York Business Week has seen tens of thousands of delegates attend, from unemployed, and children up to multi million pound companies. Each year new businesses started, were supported and showcased.

While organising York Business Week Mr Eggleton still ran his own marketing business and co-run his partners’ hair business.

Mr Eggleton says he has "raised the bar in terms of contribution to enterprise culture of the city", while inspiring many new leaders to contribute, especially young, modest and introverted to get involved.