Morrisons’ Mike Toth fought off fierce competition to be crowned the UK’s top store manager.

Toth, from Morrisons’ Coventry store, became the inaugural winner of The Store Manager of the Year at The Grocer Gold Awards on Wednesday night.

Along with other store managers from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, Toth had earlier presented to eminent grocery retail judges in a Dragons’ Den-style grilling about why they should win the award. Toth narrowly pipped runner up Paul Reeley of Waitrose, Sudbury to the post.

“I am absolutely delighted, words can’t express it, it’s fantastic,” said Toff.

Sales at Toth’s branch have grown 150% in three years. He is also Morrisons’ appeals and grievances officer and his store is used to train senior managers.