Chip hooray as Wolfson scoops double honour

WOLFSON Microelectronics, the Edinburgh-based microchip maker, has scooped the top two titles at a prestigious annual awards gala held last night at the London Hilton.

The company, whose chips are used by the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Nokia in a host of electronic games and gadgets, won the "Company of the Year" title at the Growing Business Awards, organised by the CBI and Real Business magazine.

And Wolfson's chief executive David Milne - who announced last week that he would retire from the University of Edinburgh spinout in February - was named "Entrepreneur of the Year".

Wolfson was the only Scottish company to win any of the nine national gongs up for grabs, with the remainder going to companies from south of the Border.

Judges, who included Go! airline founder and London Olympics bid winner Barbara Cassani, praised the performance of Westfield-based Wolfson - where 70 per cent of staff have degrees.

Over the past year, the group has pushed turnover to 166 million, from 119m previously, and more than doubled its profit.

Richard Lambert, CBI director-general, said: "Wolfson epitomises the modern UK manufacturing success story and deserves its place alongside past Growing Business Award winners.

"David Milne has built the business chip-by-chip, transforming it from an academic research project into a major exporter. It's one of the great examples of a brilliant university idea being turned into a major business success."