One of Wales's rising business stars has won a top award.

Gareth Jones, 30, has been named as the Young Director of the Year for North Wales by the Institute of Directors.

Gareth, Managing Director of energy saving specialists Carbon Zero UK, received the award at a glittering ceremony hosted by ITV Wales presenter Andrea Byrne at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

He's now hoping for an awards double because he he's also nominated in the Renewable Energy Association Awards for the UK as Installer of the Year.
Gareth was also recently appointed vice-chairman and chairman-elect of the Federation of Master Builders in Wales.

In 2009 Gareth was singled out by Wales Business Insider magazine as one of its top 25 rising stars. and last year he was the first ever winner of the Business Person of the Year at the inaugural Free2Network Awards.

His St Asaph based company has quadrupled its  turnover in the past 12 months and found renewable energy solutions for a range of clients from a top DJ to a university.

Gareth, who lives in Llandudno, said: "I was not expecting to win so I was thrilled and delighted to be honoured in this way by the Institute of Directors.

"After the presentation the judges came over and had some very kind words to say about me and the way the company is progressing.

"We are continuing to expand and I am very proud of our reputation for combining integrity, high quality and value for money. We hope and believe this is a winning combination for our customers.

“In the case of the Renewable Energy Association awards it’s nice to know that we have been nominated by our customers because that means they have been really pleased with what we have done for them.”

Among the first to congratulate Gareth was Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane.
Mr Ruane said: “I have had the pleasure of meeting Gareth on a number of occasions and it is wonderful that such a successful young businessman has established a thriving company here in the Vale of Clwyd.

 “These are highly prestigious awards which recognise the work carried out by entrepreneurs such as Gareth to boost the North Wales economy and he deserves this recognition.”

Carbon Zero UK employs 10 full-time staff and up to 30 sub-contractors across North Wales and the North West.

They specialise in a complete range of renewable energy solutions including solar and wind power, air and ground-source heating, rainwater harvesting, biomass boilers, insulation and rainwater harvesting.

In the financial year 2011-2012, the company topped the £1 million turnover mark.

Among the high profile contracts were fitting solar panels at Glyndwr University in Wrexham and Calderstones Hospital near Clitheroe as well as a biomass boiler for Radio Two DJ Mark Radcliffe and rainwater harvesting for a community centre in Preston.

Gareth's success is all the more notable because he launched Carbon Zero UK in the teeth of the recession in 2009.

He added: "We're living in fast changing world and it is important that we are alive to new opportunities to provide the best, most appropriate solutions for our customers.

"Solar power might be right for one person or one business but it might not be the best option for someone else. That's where our expertise comes in."