A LAKE District man well known in the North West’s economic development arena has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

Steve Hoyle, who lives at Cunsey, near Ambleside, will attend a London reception hosted by the Queen for the presentation of the award in the autumn.

Mr Hoyle has spent his entire 35-year working career prom-oting enterprise and economic development in the region – inc-luding encouraging inward investment to Cumbria.

He has championed enterprise promotion as a means to regenerate the area and his successes include generating funds from various sources for a number of major projects.

He managed a successful local enterprise initiative which saw £30 million devoted, over four years, to encouraging enterprise in deprived communities in Lancashire – launching more than 1,500 new businesses.

Currently managing director of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, Mr Hoyle has re-structured the company and already attracted £3m of European funding to provide start-up and innovation support for businesses.

He also spearheaded the successful £7.5 million bid for EU regional growth funding for Lancashire businesses.

Mr Hoyle said: “I was stunned but delighted to receive the award.

“While it is a personal recognition, in reality it is a reflection of all the dedicated and professional teams with whom I have worked over the years who have helped to drive forward the enterprise agenda.

“All I have ever wanted to do is to make a positive difference to the prosperity and life chances of the people who live in this area and I hope that some of this work will have a lasting effect.”

Mike Damms, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said “I have known Steve for many years and have shared a similar passion for enterprise.

“He not only feels that this could be a better place, he has done something about it.”