A SELF-MADE millionaire from Chingford, whose route to the top started with ice cream, has been named young entrepreneur of the year.

Dan McGuire, 26, (pictured) is managing director of Docklands-based online recruitment firm Broadbean Technology.

The company has achieved 1,300 per cent growth in the five years since Mr McGuire has been in charge.

He was given the title at this year's Growth Business Awards in recognition of his ambition, energy, vision and skill.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. There are not many awards I could win in my entire career that have the same magnitude as this.

"To accept it in front of my team and so many of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs made it all the more special."

Among those on the judging panel were Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones from the BBC's Dragon's Den show.

Mr McGuire was originally from Loughton, but moved to the Isle of Wight with his family, aged nine. He began his entrepreneurial career there while working in a beachside cafe.

Noticing the shop did not publicise its ice cream, he gave up washing the dishes and instead took the company's "authentic Isle of Wight ice cream" to holidaymakers, earning a commission on the product's sales.

Aged 16, Mr McGuire came back to London alone and enrolled in a college business studies course.

Two years later he began a career in recruitment and at 21 left a well-paid job to buy a 25 per cent stake in the fledgling Broadbean company.

Since then the firm has achieved 100 per cent growth every year. It now employs 30 people and is expected to turn over £2million this year.

Mr McGuire, who now lives in Chingford, is a regular visitor to schools and workshops. Broadbean supports Young Enterprise and mentors talented young people.