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Recognition for Creative Class

The company beat off stiff competition from around the UK to win the accolade. HD Decisions work with companies such as Confused.com, Moneysupermarket.com and Noddle to provide data and technology products for price comparison.

The business was set up by Capital One employees Matt Denman and Mark Hawkins. The company now has a team of 18 and was totally self funded until one of its big clients, Moneysupermarket.com, invested in the company in 2011. Over the last few years, the company has grown 300% each year.

The Ernst & Young event, celebrated leading entrepreneurs in the Midlands who have demonstrated the innovation, creativity and tenacity to succeed despite the tough economic environment. The awards ceremony was hosted by TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine and was held at the Hyatt in Birmingham.

Entrepreneurs create many of the world's most dynamic and successful companies. That's why Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year is considered the world's most prestigious business award-because it goes to the most exceptional from among a unique group of people.

The judges described Matt and Mark as "Very clever guys who identified an opportunity and worked at developing a very good business model to deliver this service."

The independent judging panel comprised of John Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Manganese Bronze, Bridget Blow, Non Executive Chairman of Harvard International, Martin Kinsella, Chief Executive Officer of P3, Mike Lord, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive officer of JSJS Designs, Garry Metcalfe, Chief Executive Officer of Inviron, Andy Street, Managing Director of John Lewis Partnership and Ian Wakelin, Chief Executive Officer of Biffa Group.

Matt Denman Chief Operating Officer from HD Decisions added, "This is an amazing award for our team and a validation of what we've achieved. It has been a tough time to leave comfortable corporate lives and try and build something from scratch, but this helps prove we are onto something good, especially as many of the other businesses nominated were much more established."

Winning the category means that HD will now be entered into the national finals later in the year.

This is the 26th year for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and the 14th year it has been run in the UK. The awards now cover 93% of the global economy, 50 countries and 140 cities.

Invest in Nottingham Club's Creative Class is a group of creative and technology businesses selected to showcase the talent and wealth of creativity Nottingham offers.

For further information and details about Invest in Nottingham Club go to www.investinnottinghamclub.com follow us @investnews

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