Cradley Heath man to get taste of paradise at Richard Branson's Necker Island
A Black Country businessman is to visit tycoon Richard Branson's home on his Caribbean island paradise after winning a competition.
Lee Cole will travel to Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands in May to learn business secrets from the Virgin group founder.
The businessman who specialises in recycled paint won a Virgin Media Business-backed competition for firms prioritising environmental awareness and profit.
Lee, of Cradley Heath business Paint 360, was named winner of the Impact Award at a glittering ceremony in London, where Richard Branson's eldest daughter Holly presented him with the personal invite to Necker Island.
"I can't wait to see Richard Branson's island for myself. I only hope there are two tickets. If my partner doesn't get to go a divorce might be on the cards. There is nothing sexy about paint, but the problem of waste paint is a very real one," he joked.
It was one of four special awards recognising all kinds of businesses as part of Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016.
Lee's firm employs 14 people and was hailed for not only producing high quality paint containing 80 per cent recycled content, but also its impressive business model with sales growing year on year.
He and his business partner David Francis established Paint 360 three years ago when they spotted a niche in the market for a company to re-engineer paint left at household recycling centres.
