The scholarship recipients have been announced for The Icehouse's 37th Owner Manager Programme.

Based in Parnell in Auckland, The Icehouse is a business growth hub that focuses on helping entrepreneurial firms grow their companies. The recipients of the Owner Manager Programme Scholarships will receive up to 25% off the cost of the programme.

Liz Wotherspoon, The Icehouse director of growth, says she was impressed with the high calibre of this programmes applicants and the lucky four who received the scholarships.

“Having worked with nearly 700 business owners through the Owner Manager Programme, I'm looking forward to seeing how the programme will help these business owners take their business to the next level,” she says.

Funded by Graham and Anne Catley founders of Stolthaven Australasia; Impact Capital Management; Bernie and Kaye Crosby from Prolife Foods; and The Icehouse, The Scholarship Programme is in its second year. It is designed to enable more owner-managers to attend The Icehouse Owner Manager Programme.

Over the course of the programme, these four businesses will embark on a five-month journey where they will develop skills, gain clarity and support to hone their strategic business plan and drive their business forward, according to The Icehouse.

Criteria for the applications were $3m+ turnover with a significant opportunity and ambition for growth, and equity stake in and management control of the business. Special consideration was also given to under 35s, females, exporters and people from diverse groups.

On the winners of the scholarships, Wotherspoon says,“On the one hand, we have Luke Sharp, owner of Outboard Marine, who started his now sizeable business after leaving high school and becoming a boat salesman. On the other hand, we have Sam Aitken, a 3rd generation leader of one of New Zealand's largest independent food importers,” she says.

Joining Sharp and Aitken as scholarship recipients are Brian Insoll from Waikato Shed Company, designers and builders of sheds for all requirements, and Charles Winstone from Lancer Industries, whohave been making inflatable boats longer than anyone else in the southern hemisphere.