MANAGING director of Warminster-based payroll company RACS Group Terry Hillier has been recognised with the Business Person of the Year award at this year’s Wiltshire Business Awards.

The company, which provides recruitment agencies with outsourced payroll solutions, has come a long way since Mr Hillier started it with his wife Sarah in 2006 from a back bedroom he converted into an office.

After relocating to a barn in Corsley, RACS Group continued to grow and expand, moving to offices above Dorothy Perkins in Warminster’s Market Place before eventually converting the old Wessex Club in Three Horseshoes Walk.

The business currently employs 75 staff at its state-of-the-art headquarters, which it moved into in 2013, and is also represented by an expanding portfolio of regional offices including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.

The judges for the award, which was sponsored by Baker Tilly, said: "Terry is one of Wiltshire's leading entrepreneurs having created one of the fastest growing companies in the country.

"Visionary and dynamic, Terry started his business in 2007 and now has a turnover of £77m with a team of 75 staff.

"Terry adopts a fearless approach to risk and his willingness to 'seize the moment' has been the catalyst for RACS Group's stratospheric growth.

"He empowers his employees to make decisions and take responsibility for their careers; he encourages a creative atmopsheric , embraces change and new ideas.

"Terry's charity work in Warminster is legendary where he is renowned for his generosity and altruistic spirit."

Mr Hillier held off strong competition to win the award from runners up Al Keck, managing director of Swindon-based digital marketing agency toinfinity, and Paul Albone, managing director of TM Group.

After receiving the award, Mr Hillier said: "It's not often that I'm left speechless. I'm staggered by the growth of the company over the last few years and I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the management team and our staff.

"I started this company off in just a back bedroom and it has been a roller coaster ride. I want to dedicate this award to my mum Joan, who has suppported me through thick and thin."

The 2014 Wiltshire Business Awards, which took place at Center Parcs Longleat, featured six other categories, including Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, Customer and Staff Care, Medium Size Enterprise, Environmental, Small Business of the Year and Services to the Community.

Winners in each category gained automatic entry into the night’s most prestigious award – the Overall Excellence Award – which was sponsored by Thrings, a long-time partner of the event.

For more information, visit www.racsgroup.com