AN INSPIRING Andover businessman has been shortlisted for a national entrepreneurial award.

Andy Evans, founder of the Threadster Group, has been shortlisted for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in this year’s NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Established in 2012 when Mr Evans was aged just twenty-one, Threadster Group began when the 26-year-old launched the online fashion brand Mrs Bow Tie, now a leading accessories brand that offers the world’s biggest collection of ‘Made in Britain’ pieces.

At the time of the business launch, Mr Evans was also undergoing chemotherapy for Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

While living and working in New York City as a branding consultant, the former Winton Community Academy pupil discovered he had the most advanced form of the cancer and was forced to return to the UK for urgent treatment. He made a full recovery and is now in remission.

Threadster Group, based in Walworth Industrial Estate, now employs over twenty people and has launched other online retail brands, such as premium pet brand Dober & Dasch.

Mr Evans said: “I didn’t even know that I had been put forward for the award, so I was quite surprised when I discovered that I had been shortlisted for it. It’s not easy running a British manufacturing company, so I’m really grateful to receive such recognition.”

Mr Evans has been named one of eight shortlisted entrepreneurs for the award.

The awards ceremony will be held at Royal Lancaster London on 21 November.