29/08/2008
Young Guns, an initiative that celebrates the work of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the UK, has selected Robert Leigh, the founder and director of acquisitions agency Devono, to join its ranks.
Every year for the last six years, Young Guns has chosen 30 individuals who have excelled in business.
Leigh, 29, was selected for his commercial property company, Devono, which represents tenants looking for office space to rent in central London.
Leigh started the firm five years ago and expects to achieve an annual turnover of £2.5m this year. The company has negotiated new premises for clients such as Toshiba, Manchester United, Bebo.com and 118 118. Leigh said:
When I started the firm it was a true challenge to gain acceptance in the market place, because Devono does things differently, but the results have shown our stance works and I'm grateful to have received this recognition.
To be considered a 'young gun', entrants must be 35 or under, the founder, co-founder, managing director or CEO of a privately owned, fast-growing business that turns over more than £1m, or has raised more than £250,000.
Last year's 'young guns' included Gemma Bertenshaw, who founded property developer Qdos Developments.