Gary Laurence, chief executive of search company Huntress, has been named as one of London’s leading entrepreneurs in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Laurence was named winner in the business services category in the London heat of the awards, which aim to recognise exceptional business achievements.

Huntress was recognised for having achieved rapid year-on-year growth since Huntress’s inception in 2000, during a severe downturn in the recruitment sector. The firm achieved a turnover of £26.4m in 2003 and aims to achieve at least £35m for 2004.

Commenting on the award, Laurence said: “This is only the end of phase one: we are not even approaching our full potential.”