Quartz Travel founder Paul Smith has been voted business personality of the year in a North Yorkshire awards ceremony.
The former British Airways flight attendant was presented with the award at a ceremony hosted by the The Press newspaper in York.
Smith, who was described as “astute to the point of chutzpah” by judges, has expanded his business from Quartz Travel to Quartz Chaffeurs, Quartz Properties, Quartz Tours and the Colombian Experience.
He said: “This is a wonderful achievement and I am genuinely delighted but – as with any award – this is testament to all the hard work put in by everyone at Quartz Travel, as well as the wonderful support we receive from Freedom Travel Agents’ Consortium.”
In September, Travel Weekly reported that Smith had bought 28 web addresses linked to the 2012 Olympics for just £290 hours before London won the bid.