AN innovative Cradley Heath businessman is celebrating after winning a trip to Richard Branson’s paradise island.

Lee Cole, who runs paint recycling business Paint 360, was invited to Necker island, in the British Virgin Islands, after clinching first place in a Virgin Media Business-backed competition for firms prioritising environmental awareness and profit.

Mr Cole was named winner of the Impact Award at a ceremony in London, where Richard Branson’s eldest daughter Holly presented him with a personal invite to the island for a special event next May.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity as there is so much to learn from people like Richard Branson. I feel honoured by the award. It isn’t often you get a chance to make money and do the right thing, but that is what we do.”

The gong was one of four special awards recognising all kinds of businesses as part of Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016, dubbed the UK and Ireland’s biggest and most valuable pitch competition.

Paint 360 employs 14 people and was hailed for not only producing high quality paint containing 80 per cent recycled content, but also for its “Impressive” business model with sales growing year on year.

Mr Cole said: “There is nothing sexy about paint, but the problem of waste paint is a very real one. We haven’t found the solution, but we are part of a solution and that is a wonderful thing. People and the planet are at the heart of what we do.

He and business partner David Francis established Paint 360 three years ago when they spotted a niche in the market for a company to re-engineer paint left at household recycling centres for use in the construction industry.

Since then the firm has recycled more than 800 tonnes of paint, and although Mr Cole quips his job is “like watching paint dry” he is bowled over to be Necker-bound.

He added: “I can’t wait to see Richard Branson’s island for myself. I only hope there are two tickets. If my partner doesn’t get to go a divorce might be on the cards.”