A "SHOCKED and stunned" Bolton businessman enjoyed a double celebration at the ceremony after scooping Business Person Of The Year and Innovation In Business awards for his company, Scan Computers International, based on Stopes Road in Little Lever.

Shailendra Raja started his empire from just a tiny room, but sheer effort and determination has built Scan into a multi-million pound company employing a workforce of 28.

Shelley, as he is known, has also formed two sister companies, Centos Ltd. and Shellnet Ltd.

And when Master of Ceremonies, Paul Davidson, Chief Executive of BBV, announced Shelley's double whammy, the businessman was quite obviously shocked.

He said later: "I really didn't think we would win. When the first award was announced, I was completely stunned but, of course, delighted.

"Then when I heard I had won a second one, I just couldn't believe my ears. All my family and colleagues were cheering and clapping and I think I walked up to collect the award in some kind of dream."

Shelley started Scan in 1987 with, by his own admission, no money, no qualifications and no staff. The company now employs 28 and boasts offices in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Shelley is committed to quality, product innovation and competitiveness and his commitment to enterprise allowed him to form Shellnet and Centos.

A customer base of 30,000 proves his insistence on high quality is a basis for retaining existing customers and a form of savouring links with new ones.

Scan Computers International, which Shelley heads with director, Nilendra Raja, is dedicated to innovation and the unique integration of modern technology - meeting the changing needs of the computer industry.

Scan deals with the manufacturing and marketing of a comprehensive range of computer peripherals and systems and uses the services of the Internet to promote itself to the fullest.

A company spokesman said: "The use of the Internet, which accounts for 20 per cent of mail order sales, has allowed Scan to expand worldwide."

Plans for the future include exporting to East Africa where, according to the directors, the demand for modern technology is increasing.

And, when the company moves to its new premises, near to the Reebok Stadium, more staff will be employed to handle Internet sales to its highest capacity.

At the awards dinner, Shelley's wife, Nisha, said: "My husband really deserves this, he works so very hard.

"He really didn't know he had been nominated until a few weeks ago, his sister did it all in secret, so it's a wonderful accolade for him and, of course, everyone involved with the company."

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