A Watford businessman has been nominated for a prestigious entrepreneurial award.

Vivek Chadha was named an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in the London and South region for spearheading the growth of hotel development company Nine Group, which employs more than 800 people across 18 hotels.

The Nine Group portfolio includes a mixture of residential and commercial properties, as well as a number of hotels such as the Mercure St Albans Noke Hotel and the Holiday Inn London based at Watford Junction.

Having achieved great success in the UK before reaching the age of 30, Vivek is now looking towards Europe for further hotel acquisitions. 

Vivek said: “It’s an honour to have been nominated and it’s a privilege to represent Watford, Hertfordshire and Greater London, where several of the hotels from the Nine Group portfolio are located.

“I look forward to representing the Nine Group alongside my fellow nominees at the awards.”

An independent panel of judges will select winners in each region, who will progress to the UK final held in London in October to compete for the overall title.

The UK winner - along with winners from other countries - will then attend the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Forum next year.