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Growth Strategy

NORTH EAST-headquartered eQuality Solutions (eQS) is embarking on a major growth strategy, having completed a management buy-out (MBO) of the business led by CEO Andy Gough.

Andy Gough, CEO of eQuality Solutions, has won The People First Award as part of LDC’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme for 2021.

The programme, which is supported by The Times and is now in its fourth year, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.

Despite the challenges of the last 18 months, the Top 50 programme received a record number of nominations this year, with more than 600 entries; proving that ambition is alive and well.

The judging panel this year comprised Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts; Tracy Lewis, the former International CEO of Wacoal Europe; Sara Davies, founder of Crafter’s Companion and investor on Dragons’ Den; John Garner of LDC; and Rebecca Burn-Callander, resident editor for the Top 50 programme. The accolades were given out after an intense judging session, which trimmed the 50 finalists down to eight award winners over many hours of debate.

The People First Award recognises a leader with a clear mission to support people, communities and society at large. Andy wowed the judges with his unwavering commitment to helping students with disabilities and learning difficulties to have a fulfilling education at university. His firm uses technology to create personalised learning solutions.  The judges praised his ambition to continue to remove barriers in education, employment and life.

LDC’s John Garner said: “Whether it’s going above and beyond to support employees or creating a business that serves as a force for good. Andy’s vision with eQuality has already improved the quality of so many people’s lives and I’d like to applaud him on this award win.

“The mid-market is the backbone of the UK economy, and having backed the ambitions of British businesses for more than 40 years, we know just how important it is to celebrate the individuals behind

these firms. I’d like to congratulate all of the Top 50 for 2021, especially our award winners, as they show exactly what Britain’s entrepreneurs and business leaders are capable of.”

Andy Gough, CEO of eQuality Solutions, said:

“I am delighted to be included in the LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders, and honoured to win The People First Award. This particularly chimes with me as it is testament to the hard work, passion for doing good and resilience of the whole team at eQS. It further establishes that as a business, eQS is on the right track to achieve our ambitious goals of making the world more inclusive for all and helping people to achieve their best.”