Young Guns in business shooting for the top - do you know one?

If you can remember the classic 1983 track by pop legends Wham! you’re too old to be in our new list of the best young bosses.

We are launching a hunt for the region’s Young Guns – the precocious, talented few who are successful beyond their years. The ones with the determination, resilience, energy and pluck to succeed at one of the most difficult jobs there is.

They are turning dreams into reality and doing it very well indeed – creating wealth and, crucially, jobs.

The search comes just days after a strong showing by youthful leaders in The Star’s Business Awards. But we need YOU to make it complete – if you know a young commander of a rocketing firm get in touch!

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The full list will be included in The Star’s bumper annual supplement Business Survey on Wednesday, January 20.

But first, here’s a taster of the ‘Young Un’s’ doing the business, starting with Marie Cooper, aged 39.

Marie is finance director at cryogenic valve manufacturer Parker President in Sheffield. She won Business person of the year at the Sheffield Business Awards last week. Her firm also won the excellence in manufacturing award and the outstanding business of the year.

Marie was recruited as finance manager 10 years ago, just after a major restructuring programme. She stepped up and led the department so well she was asked to become one of three directors at what was then the Flow Group that spearheaded a management buyout of sister companies, Bestobell and Conflow, to form President Engineering Group Ltd. She continued developing the business, introducing a dedicated PR agency to raise its profile and entered and won a number of awards, including ICAEW young finance director of the year 2013 and the ultimate business honour – a Queen’s Award for International Trade 2015.

She is also an ambassador for the Cutlers’ Company and has mentored Bradfield High School who won the innovation award at the Get up to Speed event for teenagers.