Steve Perez

Steven James Garcia Perez (born 14 December 1956) is an entrepreneur and rally driver from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He is the founder of alcohol and soft drinks company Global Brands and driver for the Kick Energy Rally Team.

Early life He was educated at the independent Mount St Mary's College in north Derbyshire.

Career

Beverage and hospitality industry career Steve Perez is the son of Santiago Perez, who opened the Red Lion pub and restaurant in Stone Edge, Chesterfield in the 1960s. According to an interview Perez gave to The Grocer magazine, his first job was peeling potatoes in the kitchen of the pub. Santiago died in 1975 and the family sold the pub. In the early 1980s he worked in restaurants as a waiter and chef in Barcelona. He returned to the UK and setup the Global Beer Company in 1986. The company, which was based in Chesterfield, imported bottled beers from continental Europe to local pubs and clubs. However, changes to UK law meant that the business ceased trading.

In 1997 Perez setup the 'Global Brands' company in Chesterfield. The company manufactures, markets and distributes a range of alcohol and soft drinks brands, including the VK and Kick Energy brands. The company has headquarters at the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield, which Perez also owns.

In 2011 Perez built and opened the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield. The large hotel currently holds a four star rating and Inspector's Choice award with the AA and it was awarded 'UK's Comfiest Bed of the Year' in 2012 by laterooms.com and was Derbyshire's highest awarded 4 star hotel in 2013 and 14.

Rally career

Perez successfully competes as a professional rally driver with the Kick Energy Rally Team in his many cars Including a 2007 Ford Focus WRC (Ex Marcus Grönholm), 1974 Lancia Stratos, Porsche 911s (2003 Rally Championship Winner), 1975 Porsche SCRS, 1975 Datsun 240Z (Safari Rally Car), 1984 Audi Quattro, 2005 Ford Focus WRC (Ex Markko Märtin) and a 2007 Mitsubishi Evo 9 (Peru Rally).

The Kick Energy Rally Team won the Historic Championship in 2004, the National Championship in 2005. Perez was crowned the 2004 ANCRO British National Rally Champion and won the 2010 Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Gold Star Championship.

Perez was entered into the WRC Wales Rally GB in 2009 by the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team to which Global Brands Vodka Kick was a sponsor.

Whilst competing in the Ypres Rally in Belgium in 2018 his car caught fire, and he received hospital treatment.

Complete WRC results Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 WDC Points 2002 Steve Perez Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MON SWE FRA ESP CYP ARG GRE KEN FIN GER ITA NZL AUS GBR34 NC 0 2003 Steve Perez Ford Focus RS WRC 02 MON SWE TUR NZL ARG GRE CYP GER FIN AUS ITA FRA ESP GBR25 NC 0 2008 Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team Ford Focus RS WRC 04 MON SWE MEX ARG JOR ITA GRE TUR FIN GER NZL ESP FRA JPN GBR19 NC 0 2009 Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team Ford Focus RS WRC 07 IRE NOR CYP POR ARG ITA GRE POL FIN AUS ESP GBR11 NC 0

Awards and honours In 2002 Perez was awarded 'CBI Entrepreneur of the Year' at the CBI's Growing Business Awards.

In November 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Master of Business Administration (HonMBA) by the University of Derby at a Graduation Ceremony at Derby Arena for his contribution to business in the region.

Personal life In 2000 he was living at Ashover in Derbyshire. He currently lives at Walton Lodge.