Jonathan Lill, CEO of cake manufacturer BBF Limited, has been hailed as Transformational Leader of the North in the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 awards.

Lill joined BBF in 2016 with 30 years’ experience in the food manufacturing industry, spending eight years at Morrisons and 19 years at Northern Foods in a variety of finance and operational roles.

Lill was given the award for “revolutionising the business”, having joined following its acquisition by private equity firm Endless LLP in September 2015.

Since joining BBF, Lill has implemented a new business strategy, focusing on efficiently delivering great customer service, product quality and product innovation.

“To be described as a transformational leader is extremely humbling, and I’m thankful to EY for announcing me as the person worthy of this title, representing the north,” said Lill.

“What has ensued over the last three years at BBF has been challenging, eye-opening, but ultimately, amazing. I might have been at the head of the business, but I have a fantastic team and every single person within it has contributed to our transformation. While my name is on the trophy, it really is a company-wide success, and together we hope to achieve even more in coming years.”

Lill will now proceed to the national finals in London in September.