Facewatch Founder Simon Gordon wins Prestigious ‘Judges Award’ at 2015 Worshipful Company of Information Technologists Enterprise Awards
The WCIT Entrepreneurs Forum has announced the winners of the fifth annual WCIT Enterprise Awards. The awards, which were presented at a celebratory dinner held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London, recognise the achievements of individuals who have demonstrated vision, growth, innovation, funding, use or resources, strategy, execution, ambition and determination to succeed.
Simon Gordon, who founded Facewatch back in March 2010, when he decided that he needed to do something about the problem of pickpockets stealing from customers in his family owned London business Gordon’s Wine Bar, was handed the prestigious Judges Award.
John O’Connell, Chairman of the WCIT Enterprise Awards commented: “Winning an Award is always noteworthy. Winning a WCIT Enterprise Award marks the winner out as someone special. Simon Gordon is an entrepreneur who exemplifies the qualities our Judges were looking for including Vision; Passion; Stamina; Achievement and Team Building amongst others. I wish Simon and Facewatch every success in their quest to create a Global Champion, which the WCIT Awards are designed to recognise.”
From its start as a simple crime reporting tool, Facewatch has now evolved into a multi-functional crime reporting platform that enables businesses, the police and the public to work together to help reduce high volume low-level acquisitive crime (such as handbag, wallet or mobile phone theft). Functionality includes data sharing and analysis tools; CCTV and image capture (including facial recognition software from partners); crime analytical tools; and secure communication within groups.
Simon Gordon, Founder and Chairman Facewatch added: “This award is a great personal honour, but more importantly it recognises all the hard work, effort and support that I have received from everybody associated with Facewatch. In particular, I would like to thank Guy Rigby from Smith and Williamson for his help and support to Facewatch over a long period of time and for nominating me for this award. The Company is now developing at a rapid pace and we are excited about achieving our vision and making a real positive social impact.”
This year’s WCIT Enterprise Awards were held in association with tech UK and sponsored by The Sage Group plc, TechMarketView, Cobalt Corporate Finance, GFT and Smith & Williamson.
The event also featured a keynote from CEO of the Sage Group, Stephen Kelly, a passionate champion of entrepreneurs and small businesses and promoting their role in driving economic growth.
Also attending were several other big name industry stars including Steve Garnett, chairman EMEA at salesforce.com; Mike Tobin, co-founder of Telecity and Richard Holway, chairman of TechMarketView.
