THE founder of house building firm Redrow and owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Steve Morgan was last night  named as the Liverpool Daily Post’s DLA Piper Business Person of the Year.

Liverpool-born Mr Morgan was  awarded the accolade for his contribution to the region’s economy over  four decades.

As well as founding one  of the region’s biggest house builders,  Mr Morgan has established a charity,  The Morgan  Foundation, which  nurtures small businesses and social  entrepreneurs in the  region.

Accepting the  award, sponsored by  law firm DLA Piper,  Mr Morgan told an  audience of 400  guests at Liverpool’s  Anglican Cathedral:  “It has been such a  delight to be here  tonight, and I am so  proud to receive this  award.

“I am up here collecting a fantastic  accolade and, as a  Liverpool lad, what   an amazing place to  receive it.

“I am honoured  and so touched to  win this award  tonight, and I just  want to say thank  you to everyone.”

The black-tie event  also saw the KPMG  Business of the Year  award presented to  Warrington-based  haulage and distribution firm Stobart Group, which, as  well as turning in a very strong financial performance in recent years,  raised £115m from the stock market  earlier this year to fund future growth.

The runners-up in this category  were Birkenhead-based Christmas savings firm Park Group and  Skelmersdale shoe manufacturer Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes.

The Liverpool Daily Post Small Business of the Year award went to Wavertree-based security technology group  Human Recognition Systems, which is  currently providing iris recognition  technology to control access to the London 2012 Olympics’ construction site.

The runners-up in this category  were mobile phone marketing service  Txtlocal and cement mixer firm  Nurock.

The Medium Business of the Year  award was picked up by long-established Liverpool-based jewellery chain  Boodles, in recognition of its continued  growth and strong margins.

The runners-up in this category were  Chester-based database technology  firm GB Group, and Wirral-based web  marketing agency Click Consult.