SEVENTEEN years as a member of the Federation of Small Businesses has seen Simon Williams hold five senior positions within the organisation.

In his currently role as North Yorkshire regional chairman, Mr Williams has been nominated as Business Personality of the Year for the 2014 Press Business Awards.

The position, which he has held for seven years, follows posts with the Federation of Small Business (FSB) as York Branch chairman, regional secretary, regional policy rep and deputy national councillor.

Within his current role Simon manages a team of two staff and 30 volunteers looking after approximately 3000 members across North Yorkshire.

Emma Smailes, development manager at the FSB, who nominated Mr Williams, said: "Simon's role is entirely voluntary but requires an enormous amount of dedication, time and passion.

"Simon dedicates at least 20-30 hours a week to the post! Luckily for us at FSB his own business is Yorkshire Express Services, a thriving York based same day courier service, so lot of his FSB work is done whilst on the road."

As the co-director of Yorkshire Express Services Mr Williams has 18 self employed drivers who work for him on a daily basis.

Mrs Smailes added: "Simon is a rare example of a business leader who is still an active businessman, giving him a real respect with both his peers and the wider business community."

Mr Williams' policy work with FSB has seen him work effectively at a local and National Level. This work, whether taking members to Westminster, arranging ministerial visits, sitting on various boards such as the Yorkshire Water Advisory Panel, or lobbying at a local level has not only ensured that York and North Yorkshire are at the heart of local and national policy making, but has effected real policy change for SMEs.