THE chairman of a local company has won a major UK national award just five years after her daughter won the same prestigious award.

Brian Leahy, chairman of the family-owned MannVend company, was voted ‘Member of the Year 2012’ five years after his daughter Tracey won the award in 2007.

The award was announced to a standing ovation at The Belfry in the West Midlands for the person who has made the biggest contribution to the industry during the year.

The black tie dinner is the major annual event of the year for the industry and is attended by all the leading companies in the extensive UK vending business.

“To be recognised in this way by my peers in the industry is a magnificent honour and I am extremely proud to receive this award,” he said.

“To follow in my daughter’s footsteps is also a wonderful experience.”

Tracey Leahy became the first woman to win the Associated Vending Services award in 2007. Her father’s success makes them the only father and daughter in the vending industry to win the honour.