A North of England business owner who rebuilt his life and business after hitting rock bottom has been named the Most Inspiring Business Person of the Year at the National Entrepreneur Awards.
Nick Calcutt, founder of Vital Facilities Solutions, was recognised at the awards ceremony held during the National Entrepreneurs Convention at the ICC Birmingham, hosted by Vernon Kay. The event brought together 500 entrepreneurs for the awards and more than 1,400 delegates across two days, celebrating the achievements of small business owners nationwide.
Nick’s story is one of remarkable resilience. After a bitter divorce, mounting debt, and the collapse of his business, he found himself at the lowest point of his life — facing depression, unemployment, and separation from his children. Volunteering for a local charity gave him the spark to start again, leading to the founding of Vital Facilities Solutions from the boot of a borrowed car.
Through determination and a renewed sense of purpose, Nick rebuilt his business, grew a team, and reconnected with his children. Vital Facilities now delivers maintenance and caretaking services across the North of England, supporting schools, charities and vulnerable communities.
Nigel Botterill, founder of Entrepreneurs Circle, said:
‘Nick’s journey is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit — it’s about resilience, leadership and making a difference. His comeback story is genuinely inspiring, and his vision for helping others is extraordinary.’
That vision includes a new initiative called The Growing Place Yorkshire, a community organisation Nick is in the process of setting up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The project will transform nursery spaces into outdoor recovery hubs, providing hands-on environments where men, fathers and people facing tough times can find purpose, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with their communities.
Nick said:
‘If my story can give just one person hope, show them that they’re not broken, just rebuilding, then it’s all been worth it. The Growing Place is about creating the kind of supportive, practical environment that saved me — and making sure others have access to it too.’
The National Entrepreneur Awards are part of the annual National Entrepreneurs Convention, the UK’s biggest gathering of entrepreneurs. Hosted by Entrepreneurs Circle (EC), the organisation has supported almost 100,000 business owners across the UK with practical advice, resources and community.
