Flame’s Managing Director recieved a warm reception at the North East Entrepreneurial Awards.

John Savage (pictured) from heating and plumbing merchant Flame Heating Group was a finalist in the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Scale-up Award category last week.

He also won the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Emerging Talent Award in 2016.

The entrepreneurs Forum supports entrepreneurs based in the north east of England and helps them develop.

Savage started his career as an apprentice at a national heating and plumbing merchant, and established Flame in 2011 with a single branch in Gateshead.

The company now operates 11 trade counters in the UK and employs more than 60 people.

Last year Flame’s turnover rose to £14.5 million, up £6.4 million from the year before. It expects to exceed a turnover of £20 million this year.

He said: “We have experienced strong, double-digit growth since 2011 and I am expecting this to continue as the company expands into new regions, and one day nationally.

“I am proud to have been recognised by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum once again.

“The continued hard work and commitment of our staff has been instrumental in our growth, and hopefully we’ll be celebrating more award success in the future.”