SIR Richard Branson has chosen an upcoming entrepreneur from Chester to be the voice of Virgin Media Pioneers in the North West and to inspire more young people to start their own businesses.

Conrad Thornton, 26, from Chester, founder of the UK’s leading sustainable business advertising agency, Green Street Media, which has clients in Manchester and Liverpool, has been crowned as an ambassador for the North West.

He is hoping to unearth and champion the next budding Branson in the region after starting his own business without a budget – just a laptop, a phone and a good idea.

Conrad, who also co-owns a music news website www.musicfix.co.uk with his 20-year-old brother Maximillian, will be one of only 12 entrepreneurs across the UK acting as Regional Pioneer Ambassadors.

Each volunteer will be given support to deliver events in their region and act as an on-going ambassador for the Pioneers community to help inspire and transform the prospects of young people in the region.

Conrad said: “Virgin Media Pioneers continue to make a real difference for young entrepreneurs across the UK. I meet so many young entrepreneurs with great ideas but who lack the know-how and contacts to turn their dreams into reality.