Roy Hermans is the winner of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Entrepreneur Award presented yesterday at the Maaspoort.
In a sold-out Maaspoort yesterday, Roy Hermans of the Hermans Group was declared the winner of the 2018 Lodewijk van de Grinten Entrepreneur Award.
The presentation of the Lodewijk van de Grinten Prize has now become one of the most important business networking events in Greater Venlo. The presentation of this festive evening was in the hands of Margreet Spijker and the interludes were provided by LaserForum, Quarterbacks Crew, Neutjesrang and Baer Traa. In the end, Mayor Antoin Scholten announced the winner.
An expert jury judges the nominees on entrepreneurship, eye for sustainability and contribution to Venlo society, among other things. In addition, this year's theme: 'Growth Brilliant' plays an important role. With this theme, the foundation wants to give extra attention to strong growth gems in Venlo that have long outgrown the start-up phase but are still growing strongly by paying continuous attention to innovation and new developments.
About the winner:
Roy Hermans could not express his creativity sufficiently in education and needed more space and freedom. A logical step then was to continue as an independent entrepreneur. Started in 2007 with the first Ballorig indoor playground in Venlo is The Hermans Group (recreation, childcare and fitness) has now grown into a serious player in an atypical market. Driven by new ideas, trust and hard work, the Hermans Group now has five companies with branches in 14 locations, including the Slimfit fitness concept, childcare organisation 'Van Harte' and day recreation park Fun Valley in Maastricht.
The Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize is an initiative of LLTB, MKB Venlo, Ondernemend Venlo, the Municipality of Venlo and the current Océ - A Canon Company after whose founder this prize is named.
The three nominated entrepreneurs, Rudy Claessens of CAROZ B.V., Roy Hermans of the Hermans Group and Ruud Rouleaux of colourFabb were announced on 11 September. What followed was a friendly competition, with entrepreneurs' pitch at the nomination event, the company information provided and the jury's company visits forming the basis on which the final winner was determined.
The wide support among sponsors, founders and visitors ensures that the award ceremony has now become a renowned event within the Venlo business community.
Photo: Constance Jentjens
