A HOUSING company trainee is celebrating after being named business apprentice of the year.

John Greenwood, from Spennymoor, picked up the honour at the South Durham Business Awards ceremony last month. (December)

Employed through the livin futures partnership, Mr Greenwood works for Spennymoor-based housing company livin’s communities team and studies for his apprenticeship through Bishop Auckland College.

The 19-year-old, said: “I was over the moon when I won. “I’ve achieved so much in my first 12 months as an apprentice and this award really does mean a lot.”

Helen Johnson, employability coordinator for livin, said: “We’re an organisation that comes from a long history of growing our own talent and pride ourselves in not only offering apprentices but supporting them to be the best they possibly can be and John is a testament to this.”

The business awards recognise the contribution business and individuals make to the local economy and are arranged by South Durham Business Network and Engineering and Manufacturing forum.