Specialist wetsuit, swim and accessories designer, Huub, has clinched two awards in the inaugural Business Awards organised by the Derby Telegraph newspaper in the UK.
Founder and Managing Director Dean Jackson was acclaimed Derby Business Entrepreneur of the Year. The company also clinched the 2014 Sales and Marketing Award and was runner-up in the Derby New Business of the Year category.
The judges congratulated Dean and his team for their innovation, understanding of the market, increased international profile and growth. They said, ‘From his experience working with other sports brands, Dean recognised that science could help him come up with a superior product.
‘Huub has not only become a respected award-winning brand, it has also proven to be a financial success.’
The Sales and Marketing Award recognised the value of working with such top athletes, such as the Brownlee brothers who have endorsed Huub’s designs, and its success in ‘supplying products to 200 retailers across 16 countries.’
Dean Jackson said “We were delighted to have been shortlisted in three award categories and now to have won two trophies is amazing.
“The awards celebrated all aspects of business life in Derby and the surrounding area and it was fantastic to be recognised by our peers as being an integral part of everything that is great in this city.
“I am Derby born and bred and fiercely proud of my city, which is known throughout the world for brands such as Rolls-Royce and Royal Crown Derby and now who knows maybe in the triathlon world for Huub!”
Dean continued, “Since Huub was launched in 2011, we have certainly made waves in the triathlon industry and it has been another fantastic year for us.
“Highlights have included our success in the 220 Triathlon Awards; we have moved to new premises in Derby; attracted significant investment from both Derby City Council through the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and from the Technology Strategy Board; expanded the team; and we are really making our mark in exciting new international markets.”
Wetsuit and apparel specialist Huub has a vision ‘to create better products combining research, science and reality.’ The company notes that Huub has four decades worth of experience gained in the field of endurance sports. Focusing wholly on the athlete and maximizing performance and comfort, the Huub team ‘explores both the odd and the conventional to create the best’.
The Huub team understands the specialist technical and scientific fields associated with triathlon, including hydrodynamics and swim stroke analysis… ‘From smart scientist HUUB Toussaint, clever SwimSmooth guys Adam Young and Paul Newsome to pragmatist Dean Jackson, we are focused on bringing cutting edge innovation to our products, whilst retaining a sense of reality and accessibility.’
Huub wetsuits are worn by such sporting stars as Olympic London 2012 medallists Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee, Richard Varga (fastest swimmer in ITU triathlon), Clayton Fettel (Australian long course star), Frederik Van Lierde (Ironman world champion), Helen Jenkins, Caroline Steffen, Catorina Morrison , Richard Murray, Henri Schoemen and Wian Sullwald.
