AN entrepreneur who began his business career renting hot water bottles to fellow pupils at a County Durham school told conference delegates the secrets of his success.

Angus Thirlwell, the cofounder of luxury chocolate firm Hotel Chocolat, addressed delegates at the North-East Entrepreneurs' Forum annual conference yesterday.

It was billed Progres5ive to mark its fifth year.

Mr Thirlwell, whose father launched ProntaPrint, in Collingwood Street, Newcastle, and is the grandson of Ted Vardy, younger brother of Reg Vardy, was one of the high-profile speakers at the event.

Others included Australian supermodel-turned-businesswoman Elle Macpherson and Live 8 promoter Harvey Goldsmith.

Mr Thirlwell, who told how he started his career renting hot water bottles to fellow pupils at his school in Barnard Castle, outlined the evolution of Hotel Chocolat.

From its origins as ChocExpress 15 years ago, it has become the UK's leading premium chocolate brand, with sales hitting £40m.

He said the "North-East entrepreneurial gene" was definitely in him, thanks to his father and grandfather.

Thirlwell attributed the growth of his business to originality, authenticity and ethics.

"Every month, we develop 14 recipes for members of our chocolate tasting club to try," he told delegates.

"All ideas are developed inhouse and you won't see our products in any other outlets.

"We don't want to punt our ideas around the supermarkets - we like to have control."

He added that consumer input was vital in an age where dietary habits were headline news.

Ethical issues are also becoming important, particularly in St Lucia where the company's Engaged Ethics Cocoa Programme is making a difference to people's lives and the economy.

Mr Thirlwell said: "We provide free technical support and guarantee to buy every single cocoa bean that a farmer on our scheme can grow."

Charles Morgan, corporate strategy director for the Morgan Motor Company, was another speaker to give an inspirational address.

Carole Beverley, chief executive of the forum, said: "The response to this landmark fifth conference has been stunning and reflects the success of the organisation."

Forum chairman and chief executive officer of the Sage Group Paul Walker said: "There are 300 people here today. Five years ago, we had 150 and that just goes to show the progress we've made."

There are no set rules'

LEGENDARY promoter and music impresario Harvey Goldsmith sounded a strong note of optimism for entrepreneurial spirit in the North-East in his speech.

The man behind some of the biggest shows on earth - notably Live Aid and Live 8 - gave an inspirational address to the region's business leaders, recounting tales from his four decades in the music business.

He told delegates at the Entrepreneurs' Forum Progres5ive conference how he rose from being the son of an East End tailor to work alongside Sir Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Bob Marley.

"Being an entrepreneur is about pushing the boundaries," he said. "There are no set rules - it's something you've either got or you haven't."