MEDIA ALERT: Simon Downing of Civica awarded Ernst & Young Technology and IT Services Entrepreneur award Simon

Downing chief executive of Civica, a market leader in specialist systems and business process services, has been recognised at the annual UK Entrepreneur of the Year awards for his entrepreneurial innovation in technology and IT services. The independent judging panel, led by Lord Browne, Partner of Riverstone Holdings and formerly chief executive of BP, recognised that under Simons leadership, Civica has developed a market leading position in helping customers across the public sector to transform their service delivery and efficiency through the companys distinctive combination of people, technology and in-depth knowledge of its customers business process. Civicas products and services are being used by more than 2,500 customers in the UK and internationally, helping more than 750,000 professionals in their jobs, streamlining service delivery to more than 25 million people and processing over 45 billion of income and expenditure. The company has delivered a 10-year track record of unbroken growth through clear focus and a consistent strategy. The judges said: Their services are already used by 50% of all primary care trusts in Britain, 90% of all police forces and 95% of all councils. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards programme supports and celebrates entrepreneurs recognising that entrepreneurship and innovation drives the growth of the economy and plays a major role in job and wealth creation. Across the programme this years finalists are responsible for combined annual revenue of 18bn and have grown by 20% in the last year, in the UK and cross border. Stuart Watson Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur Of The Year leader said: All of the finalists are outstanding entrepreneurs driving their businesses with innovation, inspiration and commitment. Entrepreneurs are investing in people and ideas, creating jobs and wealth, exporting their products and services, attracting foreign investment and supporting their communities to make a real difference. In a flat economy the finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards grew revenues by 20% year on year, demonstrating what dynamic businesses can achieve. Civica chief executive Simon Downing said: It is a huge honour to be recognised within the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. This award endorses the clear focus and continued development of the business as we help our customers respond to the rapid and significant changes in the delivery of public services. The awards hosted by Kirsty Young and attended by Lord Young, Enterprise advisor to the Prime Minister, were held at The Park Lane Hilton Hotel. Notes The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, are held in more than 140 cities and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Annually, each of the overall country winners gather in Monte Carlo for the annual Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. Previous Entrepreneur Of The Year winners include individuals who have built some of business's most recognisable names. In the UK previous winners of awards have included Hilary Devey (Dragons Den); last years overall winner Stephen Catlin, and Nick Jenkins, Moonpig.com Previous winners across the world have included Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Google, Inc., Ingvar Kamrad, IKEA, Sweden and Mikael Hed, the creator of Angry Birds. Other awards handed out were for overall entrepreneur of the year (Lance Uggla of Markit ), entrepreneurial innovation (Richard and Anthony Joseph from Joseph Joseph); Energy cleantech and

renewable (Ian Kelly from Matrix); Consumer products and services (Nick Wheeler from Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts); Manufacturing (Peter Schofield from Tetrosyl Group); Turnaround (Tony Hackney from BSW Timber) Emerging entrepreneur (Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne from Genius Foods) Social enterprise (Mark Sesnan from GLL); PE backed business (Tracy Lewis from Eveden Group) and Master entrepreneur (Fred Done from Betfred).