Hull business awards may 2018

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HULL DAILY MAIL BUSINESS AWARDS ARE BACK BIGGER AND BETTER THEN EVER By Phil Winter Business Reporter philip.winter@trinitymirror.com

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he curtain has been raised on the 2018 Hull Daily Mail Business Awards, and this year the bar has been set even higher. There are awards up for grabs for businesses large and small, from new start-up companies to major names employing hundreds of staff across the region. This year sees some new categories unveiled as the awards enjoys a shake-up for 2018, with Contribution To The East Riding and Apprentice Of The Year added to the line-up. Old favourites are back with a bang, too, as businesses in all sectors prepare to go for glory and celebrate the achievements of the outstanding entrepreneurs who help shape the Humber area. And, of course, the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award will also be awarded to the person who has made a significant impact to the business community over a number of years. This year, the awards will culminate in a glittering ceremony at the city’s new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in November. Neil Hodgkinson, editor of the Mail, said: “I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2018 Hull Daily Mail Business Awards. These awards just get bigger and better as do the

Construction of Hull Venue. Right, an artist’s impression of Siemens Gamesa’s £200m rail factory in Goole

quality and quantity of entries. “The best thing about them is that they highlight the tremendous amount of hard work, determination and talent that goes on locally to make sure we have a thriving business economy. “There are some great businesses in our region and some brilliant individuals and we hope to highlight them in November. It is always a night to look forward to.” Over the past 12 months, Hull has undergone an exciting period of rapid change. Last summer saw the unveiling of the city centre’s re-vamped Trinity Market, we have seen the £80m transformation of the Fruit Market start to take shape, and

Neil Hodgkinson, editor of the Mail people have watched the impressive construction of the much-anticipated Hull Venue. Across the region, major investments

have also been pledged. In Goole, Siemens Gamesa announced plans for a £200m rail factory, which could create 700 jobs as long as the company secures “major future orders”. The pledge re-affirms the company’s commitment to the region, and it appears to have found a settled home in East Yorkshire. Our area is home to some of Yorkshire’s biggest companies, but is equally a hotbed of talent and entrepreneurial flair in all industries. The Hull Daily Mail Business Awards gives these organisations and individuals the chance to celebrate their hard work, while networking and sharing their success with fellow business people.

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CELEBRATING THE FINEST FIRMS ACROSS THE REGION

THE HULL DAILY MAIL BUSINESS AWARDS ARE A KEY DATE IN THE CALENDAR, WRITES PHIL WINTER

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he return of the Mail’s Business Awards comes on the back of a year that will stay in the memories of people across the city for many a decade to come. The UK City of Culture title not only brought Hull together and created events which dazzled the entire community, but it also put the whole region under the national spotlight. It is perhaps too early to say how the 2017 legacy will shape the future of Hull, but the business opportunities it has already created are undeniable. Last year saw the stunning revamp of the indoor Trinity Market. Now home to trendy street food retailers, such as Shoot The Bull and Falafia, UK City of Culture helped breathe new life into Hull’s historic market. The regeneration of the city centre, which included Queen Victoria Square, the Beverley Gate and Hull’s major high streets, has transformed the business climate of the heart of Hull. And let us not forget the ongoing development of the Fruit Market quarter, which still has impressive landmarks to come. The City of Culture year put Hull on the map, and helped it become one of the fastest growing city economies in the country. Now is the time, then, for businesses in the region to push on to ensure the momentum that is in full flow continues. Major investments have been made which many could only have dreamed of. Commenting on this year’s awards, Hull Daily Mail managing director Mike Pennington said: “Following the success of last year’s business awards and for the last 16 years, I am delighted that the 2018 business awards are a sell out yet again for November. “Of course, I am grateful again for the support of our sponsors, old and new, and I am sure the night will yet again reflect the mood of the city with its thriving business community, with the winners and nominees reflecting on another year of great business

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I am sure the night will yet again reflect the mood of the city with its thriving business community, with the winners and nominees reflecting a year of great business growth and prosperity for our region Mike Pennington

Trinity Market in Hull city centre has undergone a major redevelopment growth and prosperity for our region. “I look forward to welcoming everyone to the new venue – the DoubleTree by Hilton in November. “Good luck to everyone who enters these prestigious awards.” Hull’s leisure and entertainment sector has also undergone rapid change in the past 12 months. By the time the doors open for the 2018 awards night, Hull Venue will have been unveiled, and 2017 also saw the impressive redevelopment of Hull New Theatre. Major businesses are continuing to thrive in the city, from renewables giants Siemens

Gamesa and pharmaceutical company Smith & Nephew, to Reckitt Benckiser and Arco. But the last 12 months has given plenty of limelight to Hull’s equally impressive independent and small business scene. The Hull Street Food Nights have seen crowds flock to Zebedee’s Yard to sample the range of food and drink companies set up right on the city’s doorstep. The Mail’s Business Awards celebrate both company and individual excellence in the city, but our new category of “Contribution To The East Riding” hopes to shine a light on the talent on display in the county.

East Yorkshire has seen major investments of its own in recent times. The Bridgehead Business Park is thriving, and the Goole 36 and Capitol Park sites are starting to take shape. Siemens Gamesa recently announced plans for a new £200m rail factory in the town, which could create as many as 700 jobs. The Humber’s business scene’s development is showing no signs of slowing. The Energy Works, a £200m energy from waste facility in Hull, is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, and plans have also been submitted for the £200m Yorkshire Energy Park in Holderness. If given the go-ahead, it could create more than 1,000 new jobs. Elsewhere, Siemens recently revealed plans to create larger, 81.5m wind turbine blades from 2020, and the Humber has cemented its place as being at the centre of the world for the wind industry. When businesses are asked what their biggest asset is, the first words on many of their lips will be “our staff.” Our awards recognise this, and the Employee Of The Year category rewards the outstanding contribution an individual has made to their company. A new category, Apprentice Of The Year, has also been added to the line-up to mark and reward the importance of businesses encouraging budding talent and

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HRH Queen Elizabeth II was taken on a tour of the Siemens wind turbine blade factory when she visited Hull last year. Left, Hull New Theatre

Hull Daily Mail managing director Mike Pennington

showing how apprentices can shine. Other awards this year include the Green Award, a category which will surely be hotly competed for this year as the city and region’s renewable energy scene continues to boom, and the Innovation and Technology Award. The Mail’s awards are open to companies of all sizes. With separate categories for small, medium and large business of the year, as well as prizes for start-up company, the awards recognise the fact small businesses and start-ups are as important to our region as major employers. Hull’s year as UK City of Culture attracted more than five million people, who attended almost 3,000 events across the city. Since 2013 – when the city was announced as the 2017 UK City of Culture – nearly 800 new jobs have been created in the visitor economy and cultural sector, and investments of more than £200m have been made. Now is the time to celebrate all the businesses who contributed to making 2017 the special year that it was. The awards night in November will culminate with a special Lifetime Contribution Award. Whether you have entered the Mail’s Business Awards in the past, or this is your first time, we look forward to receiving your entries and raising a toast to your success at the awards dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

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‘Let’s shout about our wealth of talent’

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Putting firms in the success driving seat

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tratstone BMW is a supporting sponsor of the 2018 Business Awards. The dealership, based in Citadel Way, Hull, was the first ever Pendragon business back in 1982. The business has established itself within the city, and Pendragon currently has a staff base in Hull of more than 70, many of whom have worked for the company for more than two decades. In March, Stratstone announced the appointment of Daniel Shores as the new head of business at the company. Mr Shores, who is local to Hull, returned to the branch having spent several years heading up the company’s Leeds BMW retail centre.

With a wealth of experience, Mr Shores said he was “looking forward to working with the long-established team, and welcoming customers old and new”. The company recently released details of offers for this month. They include 0 per cent APR with BMW X-series models, an introductory offer for the BMW X2, and a £2,000 discount towards a BMW car when you trade in an eligible diesel vehicle. Stratstone BMW Hull is proud to sponsor and support the Hull Daily Mail’s 2018 Business Awards. For more information on the company, and to see its current offers and model ranges, visit the company website at www.stratstonehullbmw.co.uk

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he managing director of Bondholders said the organisation is “proud to sponsor awards that celebrate and acknowledge the work businesses do, and the parts they play”. Diana Taylor said the key message was to ensure the region “shouts about” about the wealth of talent in and around the Humber, and said it does not always “make the most” of what is on offer. Bondholders are one of the supporting sponsors of the 2018 awards. Ms Taylor said: “We need to create one voice for the region, which can promote the Humber on a national and international stage. “We are not just about renewables and offshore wind, we also have businesses which are leading their field in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, digital and tech, and more. “The great thing about the Business Awards is its diversity. The awards also celebrate the roles of SMEs (small and mediumsized enterprises), which are the foundations of our business community.” Bondholders – Marketing the Humber are at the

Diana Taylor, managing director of Bondholders heart of the region. They are ambassadors for the Humber, fuelling our economy and securing our future. About 50,000 employees from across the Humber can be reached through Bondholders’ network of 280 companies. “One of the key sectors we have in Hull is food,” said Ms Taylor. “We have

some fantastic, gifted producers, processors and exports of food. “We do not always market that strongly enough in the region. Then there is the digital and technology sector, which is the future.” Bondholders are proud to be one of the supporting sponsors of this year’s awards.

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CATEGORY Training and Development

The Queen opened the University of Hull’s new £28m health campus. Below, the Brynmor Jones Library

Royal approval

Advanced Plastics Ltd receiving an award

Ticking all the boxes for commitment to training 30,000 HOURS OF TRAINING HELPS PLASTICS FIRM TO GROW

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mploying around 150 people in Hull, Advanced Plastics Ltd has shown an impressive rate of growth since starting out in the city more than two decades ago. With a site in Bergen Way, north Hull, the company produce a wide range of technical injection moulded products to blue chip clients. The company increased its staff base from 82 to 150 between 2013 and 2017, and provided more than 30,000 hours of training over the four years. It was this dedication and commitment that led to them winning the Training And Development Award in last year’s Business Awards. Judges said they were “impressed by the breadth of evidence” the company had put forward, and commended it for ticking all the boxes in the criteria for the category. Advanced Plastics Ltd also introduced a structured, technical apprenticeship scheme, which gave apprentices the chance to gain engineering skills from a host of accredited training providers.

Training and Development In this category, the judges will be looking for an organisation that: ■ Demonstrates positive commitment to the ongoing training and education of its employees.

■ Can prove how investment in staff training has brought success. ■ Shows staff have gained the necessary skills to maximise their contribution. ■ Can show how its people development strategies have improves its performance and created a committed, motivated and effective workforce. The category was, last year, sponsored by the University of Hull, and the higher education provider is back again for the 2018 awards. The university’s commitment to training

THOUGHT PROVOKING GAME CHANGING LIFE SAVING www.hull.ac.uk/research-partnerships

has seen it open the new £28m health campus in the past 12 months, which provides some of the best medical training in the country. The countdown has now started to find out who will follow in Advanced Plastic’s footsteps and collect the 2018 Training And Development award. The company said in its entry last year: “The training and development of team members is critical to achieving the strategic goals and fulfilling an overall business mission.” Back in 2016, the award was presented to Wescot. The debt collection agency at the time employed more than 700 people, and worked on behalf of banking, utility, telecoms and retail firms who had fallen behind on their repayments. The category rewards businesses that support employees to grow and develop their skillsets. The winning business will also show a lasting commitment to training. The Training And Development category is sponsored by the University of Hull.

LAST November saw Her Majesty the Queen officially open the University of Hull’s new £28m health campus. The centre aims to provide some of the best medical training facilities in the UK. The exciting development at the university came hot on the heels of the £28m Brynmor Jones Library refurbishment, the £30m new on-campus residences and the £9.5m refurbishment of Middleton Hall. The University of Hull returns this year to sponsor the Training and Development category at the 2018 Business Award, as the higher education provider continues to be an economic driver for the region. The university supports businesses to innovate and grow by supporting the research and development process with its many experts. The Enterprise Centre has also helped scores of businesses get their visions off the ground. Since it was established in 2008, the centre has helped more than 150 businesses to succeed. The university is also supporting Aura with funding for its new £12m renewable energy innovation centre near Hessle. Construction work is expected to start on the building later this year. Plans for a new data centre, run by KCOM, on the university’s campus have also been given the go-ahead. When up and running, the centre will store date for the university, KCOM and Hull College.

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CATEGORY Exporter Of The Year

Pet food firm showed it had appetite to grow WINNERS HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

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business whose roots have laid firmly in East Yorkshire for more than 200 years impressed judges last year to win the Exporter Of The Year Award. Burgess Pet Care, which dates back to 1790, exports products from its factory near Snaith to more than 30 countries across the world. With clients in Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealannd, South Africa and more, Burgess has established itself as a leader in its field of pet food. Judges last year said they were impressed by the significant financial growth the company had made through its “growing emphasis on taking advantage of the growing export market for pet food”. In January this year, Burgess announced it was launching a selection of its products to be sold at supermarkets and regional stores. Their further expansion came as the firm said it was trying to increase the number of quality pet food options, and warned that alternative foods – such as muesli – could lead to health problems in small animals like rabbits. The Exporter Of The Year category will again be sponsored by Associated British Ports. Burgess Pet Care followed on from Wold Top Brewery in the line of businesses to win the Exporter category. In 2016, judges praised the brewery – which launched back in 2013 – for their rapid export growth. Wold Top announced that exports of their bottled and cask beer had accounted for 20 per cent of its turnover in the 2014-15 year. The brewery is this year celebrating its 15th birthday with a special edition beer, and has kicked off 2018 with a bang by winning two national awards for its Wold Gold beer.

Highlighting business flair

Burgess Pet Care was last year’s winners of the Exporter Of The Year Award Based in Wold Newton near Driffield, Wold Top has worked hard to forge links with partner companies in Europe and worldwide. At the time of winning their award, it exported products to countries including Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Canada. This year’s Exporter Of The Year winner will have to show judges it has made its mark not only in the UK, but also overseas. The sponsor of the 2018 award is once again ABP.

Exporter Of The Year The Exporter Of The Year Award is aimed at companies that have developed new markets outside of Hull and the East Riding. Judges will be looking for businesses that can demonstrate: ■ Significant export sales in relation to the size of the company. ■ Success in accessing markets outside the county and/or overseas. ■ Trade growth through exports and the ability to sustain that growth.

Past winners Wold Top Brewery is celebrating its 15th birthday this year

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ABP: The UK ports industry is the largest in Europe and its operations provide critical economic infrastructure for the nation’s manufacturers and businesses. ABP is the UK’s leading port operator, with a unique network of 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales. The Humber ports – the UK’s largest port complex – is made up of Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham and they handle £75bn worth of trade each year. That’s 13 per cent of all of the UK’s seaborne trade. The Humber supports 23,000 jobs in the region and this includes logistics, security, marine, operations and finance. In Hull, staff are based at Port House offices located in Hedon Road, and across the 10,000-acre port complex. The Port of Hull is the UK’s leading softwood timber importer and it also has a booming container terminal that has recently seen £15m investment with new equipment and infrastructure. It has close links to markets in Europe and Scandinavia and handles a broad range of cargoes including energy, steel and liquid bulks. ABP is proud to sponsor the Exporter Of The Year Award once again. We believe the award highlights entrepreneurial flair that is prevalent in this region, be that in commerce, industry or the arts.

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CATEGORY Community Involvement Award

Community pub pulled in plaudits as well as pints Popular countryside inn proved itself to be at the centre of village life

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community-spirited pub in the heart of the Holderness countryside was heralded at the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards last

year. The Wrygarth Inn took the coveted Community Involvement Award. Just ten miles from Hull, the Wrygarth had become a destination for families and a lynchpin of the village community, the judging panel heard. The inn had found itself at the very centre of community events, campaigning and charity fundraising. Judges recognised the contribution of the independent business in a competitive category, saying that it went far beyond what would be expected of an independent company of its size. The pub had raised significant amounts for charity, including more than £20,000 to donate to organisations including Macmillan Cancer Support and homeless charities, including William Booth House, a Salvation Army Lifehouse that offers its residents a programme of support, self help, life-skills and social education. The fundraising efforts had also included a wing-walk by the pub landlady, raising £1,450 for Marie Curie and local volunteers. She has also completed a parachute jump to raise the funds for a defibrillator for the pub. During last summer, the pub had got into the spirit of the City of Culture, launching a local artist weekend, showing pictures and paintings from the Hornsea Arts Society as well as hosting demonstrations by esteemed guests. In 2016, the pub was named family pub of the year 2016 and won the community pub Best Bar None award in East Yorkshire in the same year. The judges said they could see that the pub regularly and heavily contributed to the local community, through its own

Committed to the community

Just ten miles from Hull, Wrygarth Inn had become a destination for families and a lynchpin of the village community. It was a worthy winner of the Community Involvement Award campaigning and charity work. They said that there was clearly a “stand-out” relationship between residents and staff at the pub. The Wrygarth Inn will surely be a tough

Community Involvement Award The Arco-sponsored Community Involvement Award will go to a business that can show proactive commitment to putting something back into the local community. This could be by: ■ Providing financial support

to community projects. ■ Giving practical assistance in terms of time or expertise. ■ Allowing charity organisations, schools or community groups to benefit from the resources of the business. ■ For social enterprises, the

activity should be outside their core purpose. ■ Particular emphasis will be placed upon the proportionate investment by businesses in terms of time and effort, as opposed to pure cash contributions.

act to follow for this year’s entrants for the Community Involvement category. The title will go to a business that can show proactive commitment to putting something back into the local community. The judges will be looking for evidence of providing financial support to community projects; offering practical assistance in terms of time or expertise, or perhaps welcoming charitable organisations, schools or community groups to benefit from the resources of the business. Particular emphasis will be placed on the proportionate investment by businesses in terms of time and effort, as opposed to purely cash contributions to causes. The award is again being sponsored by Arco.

ARCO: As one of the leading businesses in the region, with a history in Hull dating back more than 130 years, Arco is deeply committed to supporting a wide range of community programmes and charitable organisations. Arco has been involved in the Mail’s Business Awards for more than a decade, as the company continues to celebrate the phenomenal community work being done throughout the region. The company is recognised nationally for its work within the communities that form a key part of its increasing network across the UK. Arco has previously said it is “proud to be associated with like-minded companies, which understand that business can also be a force for good.” Arco is the UK’s leading supplier of safety equipment, workwear, safety boots and shoes, gloves and maintenance supplies. With bases in Hull city centre and off Henry Boot Way, Arco has more than 20,000 products in stock. It also supplies products to companies in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Arco has said it is “extremely proud of the family ethos which supports Arco’s charitable efforts”. It will doubtless be eagerly awaiting this year’s Business Awards, to discover who will win the Community Involvement Award.

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CATEGORY Innovation And Technology

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Major brand has local roots APD Communications staff collect their award for Innovation And Technology, last year

Innovation is what you need to win this award GROUNDBREAKING PRODUCT BEHIND APD’S WIN LAST YEAR

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determination to develop important and innovative technologies won APD Communications last year’s Innovation And Technology Award. In the run-up to the awards evening last November, the judges heard that the company had been creating cutting-edge technology in North Hull since 1984. Back in the eighties, before GPS, APD single-handedly designed and launched the world’s first real-time bus tracking system. The evidence before the 2017 judging panel showed the firm had recently received wide acclaim for a variety of technical communication systems, including state-of-the-art technology for emergency services call centres. A leader in the industry, APD had created integrated communications control systems – technology required to operate control rooms so that people could work quickly when it mattered most. It had also developed crash detection analytics technology and vehicle telematics, used to monitor driver and vehicle performance using in-car technology. The business had become recognised in the field, maintaining a 50 per cent market

share in UK police and having several fire service contracts. In APD’s entry, the company said that demand was beginning to grow in the UK public sector, increasingly around the emergency services, meaning it continued to look for cost-effective solutions in the sector. The judges said there was a clear contribution to technical innovation and forward-thinking in the industry through APD’s work. One judge said: “It’s invaluable technology. The importance of what APD is doing needs to be recognised, as well as its progression in the industry.” Today, APD serves customers in every corner of the country and further afield – contracts have been secured in Sweden, at Karolinska hospital and with the Swedish police, as well as in Ireland and Iceland. APD supports the aviation sector, its technology being found at the heart of Gatwick Airport and also keeping the world’s busiest international passenger airport, in Dubai, connected. This year’s Innovation and Technology Award will reward the company that has developed the most innovative new product,

system or process over the past 12 months. The winner will need to demonstrate the positive impact that this has had on the business. The judges will be looking for entries that can demonstrate a clear vision of what the innovative project, product, system or process had to achieve; how the product was developed; gains in revenue or market share, and the overall benefits to the business or its customer. This category is, again, being sponsored by BP.

Innovation And Technology The Innovation and Technology Award will reward the company that has developed the most innovative new product, system or process over the past year. Judges will be looking for: ■ A clear vision of what the innovation project, product, system or process achieved ■ How the product has developed ■ Gains in revenue or market share ■ The benefit to the business or customers

Proud sponsors of the Innovation & Technology Award

BP: The company is one of the world’s leading international oil and gas businesses, operating in more than 80 countries around the world. With deadquarters in the UK, BP is one of the country’s largest businesses and a major energy producer and supplier to the nation. BP has a long and successful history in the Humber region. Last year, BP celebrated 50 years of operations at Saltend. The products BP manufactures at Saltend are shipped worldwide as key building blocks for films, fibres, fabric, food packaging and phar maceuticals. BP has been researching technologies in the UK for more than 100 years and, in Hull, it also hosts one of the principal global research and technology centres for petrochemicals. BP is, this year, proud to return as sponsors of the Innovation and Technology Award. Technology is key to developing and creating the growth opportunities needed for a strong future. It is critical that businesses that champion and capitalise a commitment to innovation and technology are recognised for their importance in building the ongoing success and sustainability of the Humber region.

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CATEGORY Green Award

Green teams helping to save planet’s future

Humber Street

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AT THE CORE OF BUSINESS

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he incredible growth of the renewables industry in Hull and the Humber region will make this year’s Green Award category tougher than ever. We have seen some major investments from environmentally aware companies in recent years, and the gathering of business leaders from the renewables sector at the Offshore Wind Connections Conference in Hull highlighted the wealth of talent we are lucky to have in the region. The Green Award promises to be one of the most hotly contested this year, as businesses look to take up the mantle from last year’s winners Leaves Of The World. The company may not boast the long history of some of the other businesses to pick up awards in 2017 – having only launched in January last year – but its development to becoming one of the largest organic loose leaf tea suppliers in the UK saw it triumph in the category. Leaves Of The World said its so-called “teathos” ensured no chemicals and pesticides are used to produce the tea leaves, which protects wildlife and keeps soils unaffected. The company said it was important that its business was not just seen as a vegan or alternative product, but also an accessible one. The 2018 Green Award sees a new sponsor, as Wykeland Beal takes up the reins from Siemens Gamesa. The new joint venture business, which saw the Wykeland Group team up with Beal Homes to regenerate Hull’s historic Fruit Market, is playing a major part in the city’s development. Proof of the Mail’s Business Awards standing in the region can be found with the help of 2016 Green Award winner Pure Renewables.

Regenerating intelligently

Leaves of the World collect an award last year. Below, Chris Whitelock, of Pure Renewables Managing director Chris Whitelock said the award had “really helped to increase our profile, both in the city of Hull and further afield.” He said winning the category had been a “real boost both to the company morale and standing in the business community.”

Green Award THE Green Award is designed to recognise outstanding performance in environmental awareness, green energy or sustainable activity. The winner of the award will be a company that has: ■ Embraced environmental policies across its business,

with an outlook that reflects a green approach. ■ Successfully developed, sold or created “green” products or services. ■ A workforce or teams that fully embrace environmental awareness and actions. ■ Demonstrated, by its actions, environmental

leadership in its business sector or geographic locality. ■ Made improvements in energy efficiency, carbon reduction or sustainability. ■ Implemented projects that have minimised the firm’s environmental impact, either locally or nationally, of the company’s operations.

Pure Renewables is one of the longest-established renewable energy installers in the country. The last two winners of the Green Award have set the bar high, for what promises to be an exciting category in 2018. Wykeland Beal is sponsoring the category this year.

WYKELAND BEAL: Two long-established, award-winning Hull businesses have come together in the Wykeland Beal joint venture to drive forward the city’s biggest urban regeneration project. Commercial property developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes are working in partnership with Hull City Council to create the city’s first urban village in the waterfront Fruit Market district. The regeneration is breathing new life into an area, which was largely derelict following the relocation of the city’s fruit and veg trade, through an exciting mix of retail, leisure, creative, commercial and residential development. Sustainability is a guiding principle of the scheme, as it is with all Wykeland and Beal developments. The focus is on preserving and conserving the area’s rich heritage, wherever possible. It also aims to create commercial spaces that respect the environment and enhance the local community and build energy-efficient homes that offer the very best of modern, sustainable city living Wykeland Beal is proud to sponsor the Green Award and to play a part in recognising the region’s green business champions.

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CATEGORY Customer Focus Award

Serving customers across the globe

Alan Lewis and Richard Hayes, of Beverley Motor Works, receiving their award

Customer service is the driving force for car firm BEVERLEY MOTOR WORKS USES NEW AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

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ts outstanding customer service strategy left Beverley Motor Works a clear winner of the Customer Focus category at the 2017 Business Awards. Alan Lewis and Richard Hayes had left larger car service centres seven years previously in order to a build a business that treated customer service as the utmost priority, guests at the awards ceremony heard. Beverley Motor Works had seen continued growth since being launched by the pair as an independent BMW and Mini service centre, with a team that had more than 50 years’ combined dealership experience, the judges said. In the company’s entry, it highlighted that the owners established the business because they had become aware of customers’

mistrust in the motor industry and said that they hoped to change that. Beverley Motor Works had looked towards new and innovative solutions to help customer service, including SMS alerts to let customers know their vehicle was ready to collect, which, the firm said, had helped communications with customers. Turnover was also reported to have increased by 280 per cent since the first year of trading, in 2011, and the firm said this was a result of positive customer appraisals and, therefore, good word of mouth. A member of the Good Garage Scheme, the business boasted more than 1,200 honest customer reviews, with 99.1 per cent of clientele agreeing that the business exceeded expectations with regards to helpfulness of staff,

Customer Focus Award JUDGES will look at how the winning organisation measures customer satisfaction, how effectively complaints are dealt with, and how customer service has improved commercial performance. This award will go to the

enterprise that can best demonstrate how its customer service strategy contributed to the following: ■ Increased growth or market share. ■ Improved financial performance. ■ Embedded ethical/

sustainable practice. ■ Enhanced customer delivery. ■ More effective leadership and management. ■ More engaged and motivated staff. ■ Innovation and improved operational excellence.

communication and standard of work. The firm had also been externally accredited as a coveted Which? Trusted Trader, the only garage in the area with the award. It had pride in its team of technicians who served returning customers with servicing, repairs and MOTs, the main reason for its recent growth. The judges said that the firm was “taking on the big guys and beating them at their own game” when it came to giving customers long-term support. Judges of the category this year will be looking at entries to see how the organisations measure customer satisfaction, how effectively complaints are dealt with, and how customer service has improved commercial performance. This award will go to the business that can best show how its customer service strategy contributed to such things as increased growth or market share, improved financial performance and enhanced customer delivery. Noting that the businesses should clearly have customers at the heart of what they do, the judges will also be looking for embedded ethical/sustainable practices, effective leadership and management, and engaged and motivated staff. This award is being sponsored in 2018 by BAE Systems.

BAE Systems is one of the world’s largest defence companies with skilled a workforce of more than 83,000 people in more than 40 countries, serving customers across the air, land, maritime and national security domains. Its site in Brough is a vital part of the air sector, and is one of the largest private sector employees in the East Riding with approximately 900 employees. As part of the air sector, the site at Brough primarily designs, develops, manufactures and provides through-life support for the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft. The Brough site also houses the structural and dynamic test facility, where specimens of the company’s leading military aircraft undergo static, fatigue and environmental testing. Last year BAE Systems committed £3.2m to local communities and £5m to support education initiatives focussing on science, technology, engineering and maths. BAE Systems is delighted to be continuing its sponsorship of the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards, celebrating the innovation, vigour and determination of businesses within the region. This year, BAE Systems will be sponsoring the Customer Focus Award.

A Proud History of Aviation Excellence Cutting edge design, development, manufacture, testing and through-life support of world-leading military aircraft. www.baesystems.com

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CATEGORY Small Business Of The Year

Mark Sharpley, of Smailes Goldie

From start up to established GW Power Safe collect an award last year

Small firms can spark growth with award win SOLUTION PROVIDER GW POWER SAFE TRIUMPHED LAST YEAR

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stablished in Hull in 2014, GW Power Safe is a combined mechanical and electrical solutions provider, offering a full range of services to both main contractors and business customers, from initial concept, through to design, installation, commissioning and final client sign-off. One of its most recent projects has involved the refurbishment of Scunthorpe Library to create a new community hub, the fir m’s scope of works including electrics, plumbing, ventilation, air-conditioning and fire alarms as part of the £1m scheme. The company is a “one-stop shop”, offering quality workmanship and friendly and flexible service across a comprehensive range of sectors. Offering its engineers the chance to use their full potential by providing training and development opportunities, GW Power Safe is proud of its ethos of recruiting and retaining the best talent within the industry. It shows how far GW Power Safe has come since its humble beginnings. Founder Daniel Haley set out with no start-up capital and one engineer, so, by last year, having added 13 full-time members of staff, as well as another four engineers working on a seasonal basis, it was the

winning formula that saw Mr Haley and his team stepping into the limelight at the Business Awards to accept the Small Business Of The Year accolade. The judges said that the firm managed to stand out in a popular category, because of its commitment to expansion, in both recruitment and service. Mr Haley started the firm as an electrical contractor, shortly after being made redundant as an electrician, but the award entry said the firm had since branched out into mechanical services and had also opened a plumbing and heating department. In the nomination, GW Power Safe also said there were plans for the future to create further arms to the business in areas such as air-conditioning and ventilation services to provide a full scope of work for builders. In the fourth year of trading, the company had almost doubled turnover, year on year. The firm also said it was looking to invest a minimum of £15k on training for both office staff and engineers to improve the service it provides. Hopes for continued growth saw GW Power Safe, based in Brighton Street Industrial Estate, Freightliner Road, Hull, looking to open its first base outside the city, to enable

it to compete for contracts further afield. GW Power Safe’s year one turnover was £166,912 and the firm was on track to meet a year-four target of £1.25m turnover, the 2017 judging panel heard. The judges said that Mr Haley’s development and growth of the company had been impressive in a short period of time, and they were encouraged by the business plans to continue and develop the services to customers. The award was announced by Mike Stocks of sponsor Smailes Goldie.

Small Business Of The Year

THE Small Business of the Year Award is open to companies with fewer than 25 employees. The judges will be looking at all aspects of a company’s performance, including: ■ Managerial and financial performance. ■ Evidence of success against targets set. ■ Potential for growth. ■ Long-term plans and company strategy. ■ Product and service development. ■ Staff training and development.

SMAILES GOLDIE GROUP: Smailes Goldie Group is proud to be a Hull Daily Mail Business Awards sponsor for the sixth year. The awards are one of the key events in East Yorkshire’s business calendar, recognising everyone from entrepreneurs and hospitality achievers to some of the area’s biggest businesses. Being based in Hull and North Lincolnshire, Smailes Goldie Group enjoys an exceptional reputation across the region for its work with clients, ranging from start-up to substantial SMEs and owner-managed businesses. The group employs more than 100 people and has the honour of working with some of the region’s best companies and employers, advising them on everything from starting up and auditing and tax work, to helping them with recruitment and planning exit strategies. The company has begun this year on a high, seeing achievements including promotion to manager level for three of its team members, top marks for one of its trainee accountants in professional exams (before going on to win the region’s Trainee Chartered Accountant Award) and the firm’s audit capability strengthened with the appointment of a new partner. Smailes Goldie’s clients range from SMEs and large corporations to owner-managed and family businesses, professional partnerships, sole traders, new businesses, charities and the not-for-profit sector. Smailes Goldie takes great pride in helping these businesses to thrive, and is delighted to be celebrating their success at this prestigious event by sponsoring the Small Business of the Year award. To find out how Smailes Goldie Group can help you, call 01482 326916 or 01652 632927.

Proud to once again sponsor Hull’s business awards To find out more, please call 01482 326916 or visit www.smailesgoldie.co.uk

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CATEGORY Medium Business Of The Year

Mid-sized businesses making a huge impact INTEGRA BUILDINGS WOWED THE JUDGES LAST YEAR

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he Medium-sized Business Of The Year Award is always hotly contested, and this year’s category is expected to be no exception. It is open to companies with between 25 and 99 employees, with judges looking at all aspects of the company’s performance. For last year’s winner, Integra Buildings, doubled revenues and considerable expansion of the workforce in line with its sales trajectory saw the firm claim the title at what was the 17th annual Hull Daily Mail Business Awards dinner. At that time, 20 years since its creation, Integra, a fast-growing designer and manufacturer of modular buildings, was said to be operating in an increasingly important sector of the construction industry. The firm had spent two decades continuing to supply public and private sector clients with buildings for a wide variety of uses, including sport, leisure, education, healthcare and commercial operations. Led by managing director Gary Parker, the company boasted more than 100 years of combined experience in the industry, the judges heard. The firm said revenues had doubled in the previous five years and, in 2017, it had been recognised as one of the region’s fastest-growing companies. As well as a main Burstwick site, the company also has a secondary manufacturing operation at Paull, a six-acre site purchased for a single fit-for-purpose operation, with further investment planned. In its entry, Integra said that its sales trajectory had been mirrored by a growth in employment, which had seen 20 additional staff employed in the previous three years, bringing the workforce to 90 people. The judges said this was a tightly-fought category, but they were impressed by the speed of Integra’s recent growth. They said: “This is a company that is making a lot of positive business decisions at the moment. It has grown impressively, but seems to be always looking towards the next positive move.” The panel was also encouraged by the business’s move to cater for a greater number of clients, decreasing the percentage of its business from only the top ten clients, in a bid for greater security. Integra predicted its turnover for 2017

Supporting UK enterprise

Members of the Integra Buildings team collecting their business award last year would reach £21m. It had committed to reducing defects in projects by employing a project manager, and planned to eradicate defects by 2019. Mr Parker said that the marking of the company’s 20th year in business, and winning the accolade, was a reflection of how far the company had come. The firm is now the leading UK antivandal modular building manufacturer and also the UK’s leading maker of modular classrooms. The category is again sponsored by HSBC Commercial Banking.

Medium Business Of The Year The Medium-sized Business of the Year Award is open to companies with between 25 and 99 employees. Judges will be looking at all aspects of company performance, paying particular attention to: ■ Managerial and financial performance. ■ Evidence of success against targets set. ■ Long-term plans and company strategy. ■ Product and service development. ■ Staff training and development.

Proud to sponsor the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards 2018

www.hsbc.co.uk

HSBC: We are delighted to again be sponsoring the Medium-sized Business of the Year Award at the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards. It is important we recognise the growing business presence within the Humber region, home to a range of growing sectors, which has resulted in significant opportunities for local businesses. HSBC’s expertise is in both UK and international trade – through our teams of relationship managers, we connect businesses to opportunities, helping them to thrive and grow. We work with a wide range of customers, from small enterprises to mid-market companies and large multinationals, providing them with the tools they need to function efficiently. The Yorkshire and the Humber region leads the UK for innovative businesses and we are perfectly placed to help those businesses continue to prosper and realise their growth ambitions. We will do this by increasing our support to help local businesses in the region invest and grow. As part of this, we will remain committed to supporting new and existing customers by ensuring they take advantage of the right opportunities, allowing the local economy to prosper. This support is becoming increasingly important for mid-sized businesses, who are powering the UK much more than previously realised, contributing more than twice as much to the economy as the entire financial services industry and more than any region outside London. HSBC has had a significant presence in the Humber region for many decades, and its area office in Hessle boasts a 20-strong team offering the full range of corporate banking services to businesses, from start-ups to those with £350m tur nover.

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CATEGORY Large Business Of The Year

Giant companies are powering the economy SIZE MATTERS IN MAJOR AWARD CATEGORY

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he region’s largest businesses employ hundreds of people, have client bases both nationally and internationally, and turnover figures reaching into the millions. When combined together, they drive the Humber region forward, and support the host of SMEs which make our business community what it is today. The winner of the Large Business Of The Year Award goes to a company employing at least 100 people and playing a significant positive role in the local economy. In 2017, Spencer Group was the recipient of the prestigious award. Created by Charlie Spencer, the company has grown from a small engineering firm into one of the UK’s largest privately owned, multi-disciplinary businesses. The company has got off to a flyer in 2018, and scooped a national industry award for its work improving passenger access at London’s Finsbury Park Underground station. One judge of the 2017 awards said of the company: “Sometimes, with other businesses, you need to sit down and think about what they do, but everyone in Hull knows the contribution of Spencer Group.” This year’s sponsor of the Large Business Of The Year category is Gosschalks. The solicitors firm sponsored the same award last time round, and has spoken of its pride at supporting the Mail’s Business Awards. A year before Spencer Group collected its award, Beal Homes was rewarded for its impressive growth and success. The East Yorkshire-based company has been building high-quality homes for almost 50 years, and has, to date, delivered more than 65 developments across Hull, the East Riding and Lincolnshire. Beal Homes has also recently teamed up with the Wykeland Group to lead the regeneration of one of Hull’s most exciting quarters, the Fruit Market. Speaking about its award, Richard Beal, managing director and chairman, said: “We were absolutely delighted and honoured to receive this accolade in what are the leading business awards in the Hull area. “The award was especially pleasing, because there are so many excellent businesses in the Hull area and because it came at a time of so much investment and opportunity in the local economy.”

Simon Lunt, of Gosschalks

Legal firm has big ambitions

Richard Beal collects the award for Large Business Of The Year in 2016. Below, Spencer Group employees collect their award at last year’s ceremony.

Large Business Of The Year The Large Business Of The Year Award is open to companies employing 100 or more members of staff. Judges will be looking at all aspects of the company’s performance, while paying particular attention to: ■ Managerial and financial performance. ■ Evidence of success against targets set. ■ Potential for growth. ■ Long-term plans and company strategy. ■ Product and service development. ■ Staff training and development.

Ask yourself. What have my lawyers done to make my business better? If you er, um or ah, it’s time for a change.

GOSSCHALKS: Founded in Hull more than 100 years ago, Gosschalks has grown to become one of the biggest and most successful legal practices in the region. Over the past two decades, in particular, the firm has expanded rapidly, offering a full range of services to a client base stretching to all corners of the UK, incorporating a diverse range of business types from individuals to large PLCs. In recent years, an increase in local work has seen the firm go from strength to strength, as clients are coming in to appreciate that the Gosschalks’ approach is an extremely cost-effective method of delivering value-added legal services and support to businesses of all shapes and sizes. While renowned professionally for its sound, practical commercial advice, Gosschalks is also known as a very approachable, hardworking and friendly firm, keen to strengthen its roots within the local community. The firm operates an extensive multi-award-winning community engagement programme, supporting local business groups, charities, schools and colleges throughout the region. A sponsor and firm supporter of the Mail Business Awards since their inception, Gosschalks is extremely proud to continue its sponsorship as part of its commitment towards supporting the local business community.

The hands-on, straight-talking law firm gosschalks.co.uk

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CATEGORY Employee Of The Year

‘Loyalty and attention to detail second to none’ EMPLOYEE GAVE HIS BEST OVER THREE DECADES

Adam Couch, CEO of Cranswick Foods

Engaging with the community

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man who started out as a labourer for Beach and Walker, which became Vulcan Windows, and now oversees a department responsible for contracts worth millions of pounds was the winner of the 2017 Employee Of The Year Award. Neil Hall had 20 staff working for him when he picked up last year’s award. The Hull man worked his way up from the bottom to create the firm’s apprentice scheme, which he has continued to look after for the past five years. His three-decade-long loyalty to the company was one of the driving factors that impressed judges. Paul Walker, operations manager at Vulcan Windows, said of Mr Hall: “Neil’s attention to detail and loyalty to Vulcan is second to none and, as an employer and friend, I could ask for no better. “I have worked with Neil for nearly 20 years and we have seen good and bad times together, but knowing that he is with me, we have always come out on the other side.� The sponsor of the award last year was Cranswick Foods, and the premium food supplier has again pledged its support to the category. The employee who wins the award will have made a real difference to their business. In 2016, that person was KCOM’s John Langham. Mr Langham first won his company’s Wow Award – a scheme that encourages the broadband provider’s 1,800-plus employees to nominate a colleague who has made them say “wow� though their efforts to make customers’ lives easier and better. From there, he was nominated for the Business Award and judges thought he ticked all the boxes to be named winner. Mr Langham said: “To be recognised in this way, for doing my job made me feel very proud and has inspired me to find more ways to help our customers.�

Neil Hall receives the 2017 Employee of the Year award The 2016 awards heard Mr Langham’s “patience was boundless,� and that he had been “superb in his job and always went the extra mine in what he did.� This year’s winning employee has big shoes to fill after the previous duo of winners, but the talented array of people who work tirelessly everyday means there will doubtless be an equally worthy winner in 2018.

Employee Of The Year THE Employee Of The Year Award has been designed to celebrate an individual member of staff who really makes a difference to their

business and who deserves recognition for their efforts. The winner might be someone whose attitude and example really stimulates

all those around him or her. Equally, it could be someone who has overcome real difficulties or shows exceptional customer service.

John Langham with his 2016 award

CRANSWICK FOODS: We are delighted to be sponsoring the Employee Of The Year Award at the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards. The awards have attracted thousands of nominations from businesses across the region since their inception – and, indeed, we at Cranswick were thrilled to win Large Business Of The Year in 2013 and Exporter Of The Year in 2014. The decision to sponsor the Business Awards fits with Cranswick’s ethos of investing in the city and our employees. We are committed and passionate about engaging and connecting with the local community to support social, cultural and economic regeneration in this region. Our business stands for determination and good, old-fashioned ambition, seeking out the next opportunity and encouraging a culture that allows great ideas to flourish. We recognise our employees as the heart of the company, so to sponsor this category is significant to us all. We are a proud company with a proud past and a prosperous future. We are a large employer in Hull and the surrounding region and as such are very aware of our responsibility to our employees and to this area. To be involved in this great business event, on our doorstep, is a privilege and we wish everyone who is entering this year every success.

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CATEGORY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Business is brewing after spotting a gap in market WOLD TOP BREWERY WINNING AWARDS NATIONALLY AND OVERSEAS

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ntrepreneurialism is all about spotting opportunities – whether it is a gap in the market or a making the best out of something you already have – and it cannot be denied that last year’s winner, Tom Mellor, did exactly that. With farm incomes falling nationally in the early 2000s, Mr Mellor spotted the chance to launch something new at Hunmanby Farm in Wolds Newton. That particular “something newâ€? was Wold Top Brewery, and, today, the business is stealing headlines and awards both nationally and overseas. In 2017, production at the brewery reached 26,000 litres a week, and it boasted an impressive ÂŁ2m turnover. Judges were wowed by Mr Mellor’s entrepreneurial passion, which saw him spot an opportunity and create one of the region’s most successful breweries. The Entrepreneur Of The Year category sees the Sewell Group return as sponsors. Mr Mellor showed the region opportunities can sometimes be right on your doorstep. His entrepreneurialism landed him with the business award 14 years after the seeds were sewn at Wold Top Brewery. In 2016, judges decided Gary Gallen – who grew his business rradar from a fledgling start-up to a legal firm that enjoyed a 569 per cent growth in 2016. Speaking at the awards, Mr Gallen urged any local business people to enter the category, and said it had “enabled him to greatly raise the company profile and establish important links with community and business organisations.â€? “I would advise any business leader to put themselves forward for the award – it has helped us immensely,â€? he said.

Tom Mellor, of Wold Top Brewery. Below, Gary Gallen, of rradar

Mr Gallen started his career at a firm of solicitors in Scunthorpe. Within a year, he had formed a new criminal department at the firm, and he was later headhunted by an international law fir m. Despite this success, Mr Gallen took the

plunge into starting up his own company, rradar, in his conservatory. The move paid off, and his success saw him win the Mail’s Entrepreneur Of The Year award. The category is again being sponsored by the Sewell Group in 2018.

Entrepreneur Of The Year THE Entrepreneur Of The Year Award will go to someone who has made a big impact either running their own business or working as part of a business. The judges will be looking for someone who can demonstrate: â– How their actions and strategies have been instrumental to the success of the business.

â– Evidence of strong financial performance, including the clear identification of an opportunity that has had a measurable impact on the success of the business. â– Enterprising behaviours such as participation, risk-taking, management and leadership, vision, originality and innovation. â– How they have overcome

barriers to achieve at a high standard (i.e. social, geographical or physical). â– A positive impact on the wider economy and local communities through employment, additional work as mentors or in the voluntary sector. Nominations can be made by the entrant if they run their own business, or a sponsor.

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Illustrious history SEWELL GROUP: The company has a long and illustrious history dating back to 1876. The group includes Sewell Investments, which has invested heavily in new developments to support health and education in the area, and Sewell Construction, which delivers a range of construction solutions across the Yorkshire region, ranging from small-scale extensions and refurbishments, to new developments and strategic estates partnerships. Sewell Facilities Management was established in 1994, and looks after more than 150 public sector properties across the region, including schools and health centres in Hull and York. Sewell on the Go serves more than four million customers every year from its high-quality fuel and convenience stores across the region. Paul Sewell, pictured, group managing director, said: “We have sponsored and jealously guarded the entrepreneurs gong at the wonderful Hull Daily Mail Business Awards since its inception. “This is because it is where it all begins with these warriors and rock stars of the business world, who need recognising, appreciating and encouraging, big-style.� In February, Sewell Group was named in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For in the UK. It was also named as being number one in Yorkshire, and number one in the UK Forecourt Retail section.

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CATEGORY Start-up business

Spotlight on microbusiness Sauce staff collect their award at last year’s ceremony

Sauce proved it is hot in the digital industry INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES GO HEAD TO HEAD FOR AWARD

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hat merits a start-up business being considered for one of the Mail’s prestigious business awards? While having been established for less than three years, a start-up contender should be able to demonstrate such things as entrepreneurship, growth potential and an ability to thrive and prosper in a challenging business environment. There was no question about last year’s category winner, Sauce, having made a name for itself in Hull’s growing world of digital technology. Hull’s centre for digital innovation, C4Di, had seen a raft of impressive digital firms blossoming, Sauce being one of the most highly regarded, when an entry from the online platform and mobile app development company was placed before judges of the business awards. The firm was then only 18 months old and had already seen growth, taking up more office space at the digital incubator to expand its team from three employees to six, with three more subcontractors. At the time, the firm had worked with some of Hull’s biggest companies including

Siemens Gamesa and Ideal Boilers, to create online platforms and applications to help provide their services. The company had just won the Best Mobile App at the Hull Digital Awards 2017, for an app it created working with Siemens Gamesa, when it was taking to the stage again at the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards 2017. Sauce’s MyTime platform was created to understand the shift patterns of the 600 workers at the Siemens Gamesa facility, and accurately forecast the hours worked in a given quarter. With the slogan, “We build applications that solve real world problems and create happy faces”, Sauce also scooped Best Mobile App in 2016 for its application developed for Hull University Union, to help student engagement and provide information about events. Judges of the business awards said they were impressed by the development of Sauce over such a short period and had been particularly taken by the reputation the firm had gained already at C4Di. The company was said to be developing smart technology for a major Hull firm to

More than 50 years

of providing land & property solutions

The Beacon, Brighton Street, Hull

Green Park, Newport Junction 38 M62

Ozone, Howden Road, Howden, Junction 37 M62

01482 631295

horncastlegroup.co.uk

improve the way its customers could pay bills and to open up valuable data on how products were used. As well as client projects, Sauce had also taken on internal projects, such as an app it was developing to send users notifications for when, and which, bin needed to be put out for collection. Since stepping forward to take the Start-up trophy last year, Sauce has continued to grow its list of valued clients. This award is, again, being jointly sponsored by MKM Building Supplies and Horncastle Group.

Start-up Business Of The Year The Start-up Business Of The Year Award will go to an organisation that: ■ Has been established within the past two-and-a-half-years. ■ Demonstrates evidence of entrepreneurship and/or innovation. ■ Has defied challenging conditions to grow and thrive. ■ Can evidence growth potential.

HORNCASTLE GROUP: There is much business activity that is visible in the Hull and the East Riding area. However, what is more exciting is the not so obvious. Those people in the region taking the plunge and starting their own business is a most welcome feature on the business landscape, with such activity feeding through to growth, jobs and greater local wealth creation. A large percentage of businesses in the area are classed as microbusinesses, employing fewer than ten people – smaller businesses are a real engine to our local economy. Horncastle Group Plc is delighted to highlight the start-ups, which are so important to the future of our region, our chairman, Andrew Horncastle, pictured, being a founder member of For Entrepreneurs Only.

In recognition of local talent

MKM BUILDING SUPPLIES: We are proud to return as sponsor for the Start-up Business Award category at the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards 2018. As a Hull-based company, MKM is delighted to give local businesses the recognition they deserve and sees this prestigious event as an excellent way to celebrate local success. When it was established in Hull in 1995, MKM’s vision was to create an owner-managed business, with knowledgeable local people serving the local industry, delivering exceptional customer service, quality products and outstanding prices. MKM has since grown to become the largest independent builders’ merchant in the UK, with 53 branches across England and Scotland, and plans for more.

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CATEGORY Apprentice Of The Year

Taking the first steps into the world of work APPRENTICESHIPS CAN BE THE IDEAL START TO A CAREER

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roviding a first step on the career ladder, apprenticeships are an important way of improving the UK’s skills base, and giving young people opportunities beyond the classroom. Not only are they good for business, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), they are also good for the individuals themselves, who get to make their own vital contribution to the workplace. For the first time in its 18-year history, the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards sees a new category of Apprentice of the Year introduced for 2018. The plan is to celebrate the best and brightest young learners, from a variety of sectors, and give them a well-deserved pat on the back for their hard-earned achievements. Seeing the most outstanding candidates recognised in the shortlist at this year’s awards will be a huge boost for the businesses who are helping them to succeed, too. Hoping to highlight the breadth of young talent and skill that exists within Hull and the wider region, the award is open to apprentices who have shown exceptional progress and commitment to their own personal development. The award is open to anyone who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period, and this could be across a wide range of businesses, trades and professions in the area. The nominee must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 12 months before the closing date of Friday, September 14. They can be nominated by someone else, or self-nominate, for the award that seeks to

Training a new generation

Apprenticeships can teach skills not learned in a classroom

acknowledge and celebrate an individual’s exceptional contributions to their workplace. The successful entrant will be measured against criteria including commitment to personal development and progression;

Apprentice Of The Year THIS award is open to an apprentice who has shown outstanding progress and commitment to their own personal development. The apprentice is defined as a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period. The nominee must have been employed by their

current employer for a minimum of 12 months before the closing date. This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate an apprentice’s exceptional contributions to their workplace. The successful entrant will be measured against the following criteria: ■ Demonstrates

further higher

commitment to personal development and progression. ■ Shows outstanding contribution to their workplace. In particular, areas or projects where they have exceeded expectations. ■ Demonstrates inspirational levels of achievement and attainment.

contribution to the workplace that has exceeded expectations, and demonstration of inspirational levels of achievement and attainment. Many companies in the Hull and East Riding area already realising that the best way to meet their skills needs is to train more apprentices, and that future growth depends on fresh blood becoming readied to take on the challenge. According to previous BCC research, businesses believe apprenticeships bring the skills needed to grow, the recognition being that people are at the heart of every thriving company. Developing the capability of the workforce is crucial for individual companies as well as the UK’s economic competitiveness, and the local apprentices who are helping to make this happen could be heralded at the awards ceremony on Thursday, November 15, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, in Hull.

HCUK Training is extremely proud of its passionate workforce, who enhance the lives of learners every day. This flexible and responsive mix of staffing enables it to deliver high quality training solutions to create brighter futures for school leavers, existing employees, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed. So, if you know that practical, hands-on learning is for you, but you’re eager to get out of the classroom and straight into work, then you may want to consider an apprenticeship route to employment with HCUK Training, Hull College Group’s industry specialist provider. Preparing you for the world of work, apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom study, leading to national recognised qualifications. You will be in real, paid employment, learning your trade by working closely with the qualified, experienced team around you and with your assigned apprenticeship assessor, who you will meet with regularly. Like vocational studies, apprenticeships are available across a range of levels, so we can match you to a programme matching your ability and career goals. Your qualification will prepare you for employment or you can progress onto the next level of the programme if it suits your job role. Visit www.hcuktraining.co.uk to see our live vacancies and get in touch for further information.

A Hull Collge apprentice at work

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CATEGORY Tourism And Hospitality

Service with a smile in the hospitality industry RESTAURANT BUSINESS WON LAST YEAR

On track to support area

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ull’s tourism and hospitality sectors received a huge boost from the city’s year in the UK City of Culture spotlight in 2017, and the legacy continues. Visitors from far and wide, and local people, too, have spoken of Hull’s amazing offering and the fantastic welcome they have received in recent months, whether this has been at any of the attractions Hull boasts, or one of its numerous eateries, or somewhere they have booked a bed for the night. Thus, this year’s Tourism and Hospitality Award is expected to be a hotly contested category, with so much evidence for entrants to place before judges. Tourism and hospitality go hand in hand, and are important to the local economy, because they create jobs directly in the sectors, or in related industries. They also generate income from visitors and they help other businesses to grow. Last year’s winner of the award was Tapasya@Marina, a neighbour of the 2016 winner of the title, 1884 Dock Street Kitchen. After opening the first popular Tapasya restaurant in Beverley Road, Hull, in 2013, the fine-dining Indian institution opened a restaurant in the redeveloping Humber Street area. It was a joint venture conceived by Tapan Mahapatra, an onco-plastic breast surgeon at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, and Mukesh Tirkoti. After deciding to enter the restaurant business, Mr Mahapatra partnered with Mr Tirkoti, who had experience in the international hospitality industry. The pair combine Indian recipes and technique with fresh Yorkshire produce. The restaurant, based on the waterfront at Hull Marina, has replicated the same methods in a stylish setting to great acclaim. For the new restaurant, the company hired a head chef with experience at London restaurants Benares and Gymkhana, to help provide an innovative dining experience. In the entry, the restaurant said it had gained a positive reputation, quickly, through listening to customer feedback and maintaining excellent communication. The restaurant had also diversified its services, by opening on different days, and providing lunchtime deals, as well as a quirky Indian afternoon tea. Judges said they all knew and loved the

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Tapasya@Marina was the winner of the Tourism And Hospitality food from Tapasya and had been impressed by the growth of the company. This year’s winner, which will be announced at the Business Awards celebration evening on Thursday, November 15, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hull, will have demonstrated to the judging panel an outstanding performance, creation of employment, delivery of innovation and high standard of customer satisfaction. The Tourism and Hospitality Award is, again, sponsored by Hull Trains.

Tourism And Hospitality THE Tourism and Hospitality Award will go to businesses that can show evidence of: ■ Outstanding performance relating to commercial success and evidence of growth and investment. ■ Creation of employment, together with staff training and development. ■ Delivery of innovations and improvements. ■ High standards of customer satisfaction.

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HULL Trains is an open-access train operating company owned by FirstGroup that is, without a doubt, a Hull success story. Proudly carrying the city’s name into the capital with its daily direct services, Hull Trains positively raises the profile of Hull. Hull Trains operates seven trains a day between Hull and London each weekday, and five on a Saturday and Sunday. The organisation carries about one million passengers each year. Formed in 2000, the company was one of the UK’s first non-franchised operators delivering services that were not of interest to the franchised operators at that time. Hull Trains addressed the historic absence of regular direct rail services between Hull and London. With 92 direct services each week, passengers can now arrive at their destination at a time that suits them. Although Hull Trains offers a public service it does not receive any money from the public purse – the company operates on a wholly commercial basis and does not receive subsidy or incentives from the Government. Despite this, Hull Trains offers some of the best-value fares between Hull and London. Hull Trains adds value to the city that gave it its name. While it is the UK’s smallest train operating company, Hull Trains is a major employer in the area. The comapny employs 120 people, mostly living in Hull and the East Riding. Aside from the benefits derived from carrying business and leisure travellers to and from London, the company is estimated to be worth about £200m to the Hull economy. In 2016, Hull Trains was named the UK’s best train operator and has always scored highly in the National Rail Passenger Survey since 2000 – regularly ranked in the UK’s top three of 22 train operating companies.

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CATEGORY Contribution To The East Riding

Don’t forget the East Riding’s achievements NEW CATEGORY CELEBRATES REGION’S DEVELOPMENT

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he Contribution To The East Riding is a new addition to the Hull Daily Mail Business Awards. Hull enjoyed an unforgettable 2017, as the City of Culture year gave it the spotlight it has deserved for so many years. It would be easy to forget, then, that the East Riding is also riding the wave of an equally impressive 12 months. Major investments have been made and pledged, and the region is gaining a reputation as a fast-moving business hub. Siemens Rail unveiled plans earlier this year to build a £200m factory in Goole, which would create up to 700 new jobs. In February, renewables company Y Pellets announced it was to start work on a new state-of-the-art £10m wood refinery at the Goole 36 industrial park. Over at the other side of the East Riding, the first offshore export cable was laid in April for the Hornsea Project One wind farm project. Once completed, wind farm Orsted has said, the site will produce enough energy to power one million homes. For many businesses to succeed and thrive, they need a suitable place they can call home. As well as the growth of the booming Goole 36 and Capitol Park, Bridgehead business park in Hessle has already more than made its mark on the region. A new £12m Innovation Centre by renewable energy experts Aura is expected to get off the ground later this year, and it will be joined by broadband firm Connexin’s £5m data centre. The pair will join established Bridgehead businesses The One Point and Victoria Plum. The debut of the Contribution To The East

The site of the Orsted wind farm

East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby

Helping to kick start economy

Riding category means there is no business currently holding the award. The 2018 winner could set the benchmark, then, for future years. The category is open to businesses large and small. Whether the business’s staff rota is in the double or triple figures, or has just a few names on it, everyone is in with a chance of scooping the award if they can demonstrate the contribution they have made to the

region. Individuals are also welcome to apply. It could be that the nominee has successfully campaigned for change in their field of business, or has single-handedly made their mark on the industry. The category is sponsored by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the local authority, which has granted planning permission for the countless exciting projects over the past 12 months.

Contribution To The East Riding THIS award is aimed at a business, organisation or individual that has made a real difference to the East Riding. Nominees must be based within the East Riding, as opposed to the city of Hull, but entrants could be anyone from large businesses working across the entire East Riding region, to small

businesses or individuals who have made their mark in their local area. Judges will be looking for: ■ An East Riding-based individual or business that has significantly improved employment opportunities or services in their area. ■ A business or individual that has made a positive

difference to the lives of people living in the East Riding. ■ A business or individual that has overcome a challenge and is continuing to serve and promote the East Riding. Businesses or individuals must be based in East Yorkshire, outside of postcode areas HU1 to HU9.

GROWING the economy is one of the main priorities of East Riding Council. The council’s dedicated Business Investment and Tourism services provide a range of support to help new businesses launch and established businesses thrive. A team of business advisers provides advice and guidance in starting a new business in the East Riding, such as information about business plans, finance and record-keeping and marketing. Services are also offered to promote growth among established businesses as well as support for specific sectors, such as renewable energy. The council also manages business centres in Brough, Beverley, Goole, Market Weighton, Bridlington and Driffield, which offer affordable business accommodation and conference facilities with easy access to the range of services provided by the business advisors. They have been complemented by the new £3.9m ergo centre at Bridgehead Business Park, Hessle, which offers state-of-the-art business accommodation and facilities. The council also works hard to attract inward investment into the East Riding, actively promoting the region and competing with other UK local authorities as well as those from elsewhere in the world. The market for inward investment services is global and council business experts, along with our private sector partners, deal with external clients looking to relocate, expand their operations or establish new facilities in the East Riding. ■ For more information, visit www2.eastriding.gov.uk

Taking care of business and supporting business growth

www.eastriding.gov.uk/ business

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CATEGORY Lifetime Contribution Award

Contributing for many years deserves reward THIS PRESTIGIOUS TITLE IS SELECTED BY THE JUDGES

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The list of winners of the Mail’s Lifetime Contribution Award is, unsurprisingly, a prestigious one. There are many figures in the local business community who have made a significant impact on the Hull and East Yorkshire region. The judges have their work cut out when it comes to choosing a winner of the award. The list of previous winners includes managing director of the Sewell Group Paul Sewell OBE, MKM founder David Kilburn, and Spencer Group founder Charlie Spencer OBE. Last year’s recipient was Simon Lunt, a senior partner at Hull-based Gosschalks Solicitors. A video played at the 2017 awards night, held at the KCOM Stadium, highlighted why business leaders chose Mr Lunt as the winner of the Lifetime Contribution Award. Andrew Horncastle said: “Simon is a guy who commands respect. You mention his name in the area and those who perhaps don’t know him that well would say he’s a solicitor. “And he is a solicitor, an exceptionally good one, and one who has been a key player in building Gosschalks into one of the largest and most successful firms. “But there is much, much more to Simon when you know him well.” The Lifetime Contribution Award has been a feature of the Business Awards since its launch in 2012. It has been sponsored by KCOM from the very beginning and the city’s broadband provider is back to support the prestigious award once again. It is the only award without a nomination process, with the winner being invited to the ceremony night – this year being hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton – to collect their accolade. The first ever winner of the award was Jim Dick, whose long career with Smith & Nephew saw him help develop some of its most innovative wound management products. He was followed in 2013 by Paul Sewell OBE, before David Kilburn won the award in 2014. Three years ago saw Victoria Jackson receive the Lifetime Contribution Award, with Charlie Spencer and Mr Lunt completing the list. Judges will this year be looking for a person who has made a significant and positive impact to the region’s business community.

Communication firm KCOM sponsors the Lifetime Contribution award

Fast support of community

Charlie Spencer, of Spencer Group, collected the Lifetime Contribution Award in 2016. Below, Simon Lunt

Business Lifetime Contribution Award The Lifetime Contribution Award is sponsored by KCOM. This prestigious award will go to someone who has had a significant and positive impact on the local business community over a number of years. Unlike the other Business Awards categories, for the Lifetime Contribution Award, there will be no nominations process or shortlist published.

LOCAL communications provider KCOM is one of Hull’s largest companies, employing about 900 people in the city and contributing more than £187m each year to the local economy. KCOM plays a key role in supporting local regeneration and business growth. It is a partner of the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub and for the start-up support organisation For Entrepreneurs Only as well as a founding partner for the Ron Dearing UTC. The firm’s £85m deployment of its full fibre Lightstream broadband is making Hull the ultrafast capital of the UK and one of the fastest and most connected places in the world – an achievement described by Culture Minister Matt Hancock MP as “tremendous”. The company has announced its Lightstream rollout will be completed by March 2019, connecting more than 200,000 homes and businesses across the region. More than 4,000 local businesses are already enjoying the benefits of Lightstream’s gigabit speeds, enabling them to work more productively and respond more quickly to the needs of its customers. As well as Lightstream, KCOM also provides cutting edge IT and SmartComms solutions for businesses of all sizes. KCOM is a long-standing supporter of the Mail’s Business Awards. It has sponsored the Lifetime Contribution Award, since it was introduced in 2012, to acknowledge local business people who have made a positive, lasting difference to the region’s economy and wider community.

Proud sponsors of the Lifetime Achievement Award To get connected call 01482 337733 or visit heybusiness.kcom.com

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