Danny Bamping, the entrepreneur and the driving force behind
the Bedlam Cube puzzle has won the first ever BPMA Entrepreneur
of the Industry Award for the UK's promotional marketing industry,
which is worth £20 billion annually. The Bedlam Puzzle
Company also won the ‘Most innovate Product Award’.
Described as a serial entrepreneur Danny Bamping, Managing
Director and founder of Bedlam Puzzles Ltd, is also a skilled
cameraman, director and producer and is the creative mind behind
a number of companies and initiatives, mostly in the Natural
History & Environmental filmmaking sector. His primary business
interest, however, is the Bedlam Cube dubbed the next Rubik's
Cube of the toy world' which Danny and his team have made into
a worldwide phenomenon in just two years, with annual sales
now estimated at over £1 million.
Danny was selected as the winner by a panel of senior UK promotional
marketing industry leaders as the Entrepreneur of the Industry
from a strong, highly competitive list of entries. He was chosen
on the strength of his innovative business concept, natural
entrepreneurial flair and his vision for developing this and
other products to drive the business forward. His rise to success
began as a result of difficult circumstances. Six years ago,
after his 2nd bout of heart surgery, Danny lost his job as a
part time university lecturer, had to stop working as a freelance
underwater cameraman and ended up on state benefits.
However Danny soon found himself involved with other Projects,
through one he met puzzle-genius Bruce Bedlam who had developed
a very unique puzzle, but not pursued the product commercially.
Danny spent the next two and a half years developing The Bedlam
Cube and planning its success. He started to a sell it and launched
it exclusively at Hamleys of London. Soon after he landed himself
a slot on the BBC's Dragon's Den & with two Dragons offering
him £100,000 investment, which after considering it, he
then decided to turn the offer and took the plunge to grow the
Bedlam Cube on his own.
Danny Bamping has made The Bedlam Cube a success in the retail
toy, corporate gift and promotional merchandise market. It is
now sold through Argos, Debenhams, John Lewis, WHSmith and Tescos
and has been a big hit this Christmas. The cube is now being
distributed in Australia, New Zealand South Africa and 17 different
European countries. Where the corporate and promotional gift
market is concerned, the bespoke coloured & labeled cubes
have been produced for major international names such as BP,
O2, PwC and Siemens. It is also the official product of this
Years Guinness World Records day on November 9th (Danny also
holds the current World record at 11.03 seconds.)
Just 3 weeks ago Danny also collected the ‘Business of
the Year’ Award at The Enterprising Plymouth Awards.
On the advent of the Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, BPMA
Chairman, David Lebond commented:
"There are a number of exceptional businesses and concepts
in this industry started by individuals with brilliant foresight
which have gone largely unnoticed. People like Danny Bamping
are helping to change this as part of our drive to instill greater
knowledge and recognition of the enormous effort our vibrant
and creative industry has to contribute to the UK and indeed
to the world."
After receiving the Award at the Langham Hotel in London this
week – Danny Bamping said;
“It’s been an incredible year for me and the Company
and receiving this prestigious award the icing on the Cake.
I must thank my team around me who have been absolutely fantastic!”
Ends.
The Entrepreneur of The Industry Award has been developed by
the BPMA, which comprises hundreds of member companies, following
strong demand for greater recognition of excellence in the £20
billion promotional marketing industry. The British Promotional
Merchandise Association (BPMA) undertook a nationwide search
for an entrepreneur demonstrating initiative, innovative concepts
and a proactive business approach which has proven successful
in the vast promotions and incentives industry.
About The Bedlam Cube:
* The Bedlam Cube has no packaging
* The Wooden versions are made from sustainable rubber wood
* It is a British invention and a British company
* In 2007 the Corporate Bedlam Puzzle cubes will be manufactured
from recycled plastic and also made in the UK.
www.bedlampuzzles.com
Further notes to editors:
About the BPMA
The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), founded
in 1965 stands for the promotion of the highest standards of
business ethics in the supply of promotional merchandise and
services while constantly striving for industry advancement.
About Danny Bamping;
http://www.greenentrepreneur.co.uk
For further information, photography or interviews with Danny
Bamping contact;
The Bedlam Office; 0845 230 2325
Danny’s Mobile; 07831 658492
danny@bedlampuzzles.com
