WHEN Chris Houghton won the Business Person of the Year Award at the 2014 Bolton and Bury Business Awards he was abroad – on business.

“But I kept in touch with what was happening and was so delighted when I discovered I had won the title,” explained Chris, who is CEO of technology provider Eventura.

In fact, Chris was so proud of his win that he has become a keen advocate of the annual Business Awards and encourages other companies to enter. “Winning has proved such an advantage, both to me and the firm,” he added. “I just think that as many businesses as possible should enter and try their luck.”

Certainly for Chris, the accolade has helped crown an exceptional time for his business which sees Eventura moving into purpose-built new premises in Westhoughton later this year.

It was also special to him because Chris, born and brought up in the town, is a very proud Boltonian.

He began his technology journey as a pupil at Thornleigh Salesian College and then joined Hawker Siddeley as a teenage apprentice. He honed his knowledge with degrees in electronics and computing, going on to work for some of technology’s most famous names, including IBM.

Fourteen years ago, he founded his own company with a staff of six and attracted prestigious clients like Umbro, Pringle and Jimmy Choo.

Eventura moved to premises in St Georges Square in Bolton town centre and now has a staff of 22. It is one of 60 Sage strategic business parners in the UK and has clients across this country, in Poland, South Africa, Sweden, Hong Kong and Australia.

Chris travels the world for his company, but felt the award in his home-town was “something special – and something that has really brought prestige and created more interest in our products.

“I was thrilled enough when I heard I was shortlisted for Business Person of the Year,”, he commented. “I knew I would be away on the night of the awards and arranged to keep in touch. When I heard that I had won – well, it really was just amazing!”

The Business award entries close on Friday. To enter go to newsquestnorthwest.co.uk/business-awards.html