A businessman who owns a hotel in St Albans has been nominated for a national award, after being named ‘entrepreneur of the year’ for London and the South.

Vivek Chadha, who owns hotel development company Nine Group, was named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the region at an awards ceremony earlier this year.

The Nine Group owns 18 hotels, including the Mercure St Albans Noke Hotel in Watford Road, St Albans, the Novotel London Heathrow Airport and the Manchester Hotel in Trafford Park.

Having achieved success in the UK while under the age of 30, Vivek is now looking to Europe for further hotel acquisitions. He will now attend the World Entrepreneur of the Year Forum in 2018, to compete for the title of UK Entrepreneur of the Year.

Vivek, who lives in Watford, said: “It is a real honour to have been chosen from a group of impressive entrants.”