JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford (right of picture) has been honoured by a leading transatlantic business organisation.

The 2003 UK Entrepreneurial Award was presented to Mr Bamford by BritishAmerican Business Inc (BABi) at a dinner honouring outstanding business leaders on October 23.

BABi chief executive Richard Fursland said Mr Bamford "emerged as the unanimous choice" to receive the award, which recognised his and JCB's business achievements.

Mr Bamford said he was "delighted" to receive the award.

"The USA is the largest market in the world for (us) and accounts for around one third of the total world market. It offers huge potential for JCB and we value our trading links," he said.

The award was particularly special as it was presented on the 58th anniversary of the founding of JCB, and the 58th birthday of Mr Bamford, who took over as JCB chairman in 1975 after the retirement of his father, company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.

Under Mr Bamford's leadership, JCB's annual sales have increased from GBP43 million (USD72.9 million) to more than GBP800 million (USD1.4 billion).