THE 22-year-old York businessman behind healthy food brand ÜGOT has been named New Entrepreneur of the Year in a national competition.

Joe Carnell was named The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the year at the 2015 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards gala dinner ceremony, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The award celebrates the potential that exists within leaders of the UK’s most promising start-ups, demonstrating the entrepreneurial aptitude, commercial acumen, vision, ambition and drive to build a successful enterprise.

Mr Carnell's brand ÜGOT was born out of frustration at the lack of healthy food take-aways and restaurants on the high street, and has since developed as an up and coming independent chain of healthy food outlets across the UK.

The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards judges said: "Joe Carnell exemplifies the traits of a highly successful entrepreneur.

"His unwavering passion for business, charisma, leadership skills, phenomenal results, forward looking approach, absolute focus on delighting the customer and endless energy shone through.

"The judges were looking for someone who had the talent to take any business and make it highly successful, someone who could lead one of the UK’s most promising start-ups. Joe Carnell is that entrepreneur."

Mr Carnell, who was last year named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Press Business Awards, said: "I opened my first store in York and I think a lot of people outside of London feel that they can’t make a success out of their passion, without coming to the capital.

"I hope winning an award such as this, which I’m completely blown away by, can inspire people with passions and dreams to do something with them.”

More than 1200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and media representatives gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel for the 14th annual National Business Awards. The Awards were presented by Sky News’ Ian King and Poppy Trowbridge and welcomed former Astronaut and second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin as headline speaker.

The Prime Minister opened proceedings at the ceremony with a message for this year’s finalists. He told the audience: "I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you on behalf of the whole country, for all that you’re doing to create jobs and growth in Britain...tonight we celebrate all that you’re doing, from your leadership in digital and innovation, to the Duke of York’s new award for University Entrepreneurship, these awards are rightly the Oscars of great British business.

"The awards recognise people who have the guts to strike out on their own, who have the tenacity to work hard for every deal and who have the innovation and vision that lets you grow your business and take new people on. Its people like you who are making this the most entrepreneurial and dynamic period in our country’s recent history. So thank you again for all you’re doing."