Andy Humphries receiving a Business Person of the Month award from Joanne Stagg, general manager of Swindon's Marriott Hotel

The man who took on the banks and won millions of pounds in compensation for customers is the Business Person of the Year as sponsored by the Marriott Hotel and the Swindon Advertiser.

Andy Humphries, who is the managing director of Renaissance, received the award, along with his business colleague Seb Ward, from Joanne Stagg, the general manager of the Marriott Hotel in Swindon.

"I'm pleased to win this because I believe we are doing a great job for local business people, and getting money for them which actually is theirs, and not the banks'."

Across the country, thousands of people were overcharged by the big four banks and have been successful in claiming money back. While the matter has been put on hold pending a directive from the High Court, Renaissance were able to get back £5 million for customers. With its experience in financial matters, the company has also won more than £16 million for its clients in endowment claims in the past three years.

"We have experience of tackling banks and understand the complaint process - and what to do if a bank doesn't adhere to the process," said Andy.

"But we believe that for many of those who do decide to complain themselves, the Ombudsman rather than the courts would be the right place to refer their complaint if they don't get a satisfactory answer from their bank."

Andy had stiff competition from other people across the business community, which varied from a pole dance instructor to a rock climber and a former RAF pilot.

Each month, the Marriott and the Advertiser get together to pick a business person who has done something special for the community. At the end of 12 months, the year's nominations are sifted to pick the annual winner.

"We at the hotel regard it as a worthwhile exercise," said the Marriott general manager, Joanne Stagg.

"Swindon is one of the most important places in the country when it comes down to business. As well as the big companies like Honda, BMW and Motorola, there are a host of small businesses employing thousands of people and providing the wealth that keeps Swindon going at the top of the business pole."

Paul Briggs, the chief executive of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, which includes Swindon, said he was pleased to be associated with these awards.

"I like the fact that small businesses are recognised because as Joanne said, they are the lifeblood of the town.

"Renaissance have done a first class job, as have all the other winners."

10:15am Wednesday 5th March 2008

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