The managing director of Portsmouth-based The Workshop has won the title of business Personality of the Year in The News Business Excellence awards.

Stuart Cox was nominated by his staff for his foresight to explore new areas of business following the downturn of manufacturing in the area.

The Workshop was started by Stuart Cox and Andrea Dryden in 1988, as an industrial agency. The company was initially based in a converted shop, but now has taken over an office building in Drayton, Portsmouth. It now has five divisions, including its latest addition – a customer service/call centre sector.