Dorian Payne, founder and managing director of the Castell Group, has been named the winner of the Unlocking Finance Icon award at the first-ever Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Awards.
Recognised for his exceptional leadership and £20 million raised in investment to help grow the business nationwide, Dorian was nominated by fellow graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) programme in the UK. He received the award at a ceremony at the Tate Modern in London.
Dorian founded Castell Group, a socially conscious construction company, in Bridgend in 2019 and graduated from the 10KSB programme in 2023.
Specialising in energy sustainable, affordable, social and disability adapted homes across South Wales, he has plans to expand the company’s work with Registered Social Landlords and local authorities throughout the country.
To mark 15 years of empowering entrepreneurs, Goldman Sachs launched the inaugural 10KSB awards, honouring standout leaders within the UK’s SME community. Winners were nominated by their peers in the 10KSB network, highlighting individuals who have made a significant impact in their industries.
The 10,000 Small Businesses Programme is a fully funded business education programme, delivered in partnership with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and Aston University initiative, designed to support high-potential small businesses in the UK. Since its inception, the 10KSB has helped thousands of entrepreneurs scale their operations, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
The awards ceremony, hosted in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, was a celebration of entrepreneurial success and resilience during the past 15 years of the programme.
Charlotte Keenan, head of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, said:
“Huge congratulations to Dorian for raising this amount. One of the enduring challenges for small businesses in this country is access to capital, and Dorian’s ability to navigate the system is remarkable. At Goldman Sachs, we firmly believe that SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy. By championing and supporting them, we can help pave the way for sustainable, long-term economic growth.”
