9 minute read
Business Awards 2021 finalists revealed
A celebration of regional success as awards finalists are revealed
The finalists of this year’s East Midlands
Chamber Business Awards have been revealed. About 165 organisations from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have been recognised in the 2021 edition of the annual contest, which is once again run in partnership with principal sponsor Mazars.
The awards are split into three events for each county and feature 13 categories, with a new award this year for Collaboration Project of the Year to celebrate pioneering partnerships within Chamber membership. There’s also a new-look Excellence in Innovation award, which replaces the Innovation in Manufacturing category, as more ground-breaking firms are invited to showcase how they are pushing boundaries in their sectors.
Winners are chosen during a virtual judging day by a panel including sponsors, a Chamber board member and a representative from the Chamber’s senior leadership team. An overall Business of the Year is also selected for each county from all the finalists by Mazars.
After the awards ceremonies were held virtually last year due to lockdown restrictions, the Chamber plans for a return to physical events in late 2021, pending Government guidance.
The Derbyshire Business Awards will take place on Friday 12 November, Nottinghamshire Business Awards on Friday 19 November and Leicestershire Business Awards on Friday 3 December.
Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Last year, we were proud to celebrate the achievements of more than 120 organisations during what was a difficult period for many, so it’s absolutely fantastic to see even more businesses, social enterprises and charities recognised this year.
“We can’t wait to hold another set of memorable awards ceremonies, with the brilliant support of our sponsors.”
DERBYSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 FINALISTS
Business Improvement Through Technology – Sponsored by Purpose Media
• Futures Housing Group • Healthy Stuff • Penny Hydraulics • Scenariio • Thompson Tree Services (Midlands)
Community Impact Award –Sponsored by University of Derby
• Fortem Solutions • Griffith Foods • Liniar • MVIS • Resilient World Solutions
Outstanding Growth Award –Sponsored by Amazon
• Fibre Tec Solutions • Professional Heating Solutions • Project D • Sky Recruitment Solutions • SureScreen Diagnostics
Environmental Impact Award –Sponsored by Futures Housing Group
• Derby City Council – DE-Carbonise
Project • Devtank • Griffith Foods • Liniar • MVIS
Commitment to People Development Award – Sponsored by 2020 Training
• AIM Commercial Services • Aztec Oils • Nelsons • Peak Indicators • Purpose Media
Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Derby College Group
• Keenan Gregory – Futures Housing
Group • Lisa Scarboro – Futures Housing
Group • Amelia Burton – Griffith Foods • Mia Cooper – Joined Up Careers
Derbyshire • Tom Sharratt – Neuways
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Ryley Wealth Management
• William Crooks – Cawarden • Adam Bamford – Colleague Box • Peter Ellse – Cosy Direct • Jillian Thomas – Future Life Wealth
Management • Max Vaughan – White Peak Distillery • Derby College Group • Dronfield Heritage Trust • Embark Federation • REAL Education
Excellence in Customer Service –Sponsored by Aston Lark
• Anoki • MaryJanes Catering • Purpose Media • The Accountancy Recruitment Group • UK Asbestos Training Association
Excellence in International Trade - Sponsored by HSBC
• Atlas Copco Medical • Aztec Oils • Cathelco • Graphoidal Developments • SureScreen Diagnostics
Small Business of the Year –Sponsored by Begbies Traynor
• Peak Indicators • Project D • The Input Group • Think3 • Thompson Tree Services (Midlands)
Excellence in Innovation – Sponsored by Rolls-Royce
• HSG • Liniar • Scenariio • SureScreen Diagnostics
Excellence in Collaboration –Sponsored by HSBC
• Derby Voluntary Action • Marketing Derby • Penguin PR/Colleague Box and
Vibrant Accountancy • Safe and Sound • The Swap Shop
LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 FINALISTS
Business Improvement Through Technology – Sponsored by De Montfort University
• Due Diligence Checking • Kitking • North Warwickshire and South
Leicestershire College • Steps Conductive Education Centre
Community Impact Award –Sponsored by emh group
• Alex’s Wish • Charity Link • Hope Against Cancer • Shama Women’s Centre • Zinthiya Trust
Outstanding Growth Award –Sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
• Jake & Nayns • Loughborough Finance for Sport • Metalfacture • Myonex • Pattersons Commercial Law
Environmental Impact Award –Sponsored by Cambridge & Counties Bank
• Abacus Flooring Solutions • Go Travel Solutions • Michael Smith Switchgear • PacWolf
Commitment to People Development Award – Sponsored by De Montfort University
• Alex’s Wish • Noble Events • Pick Everard • Precision Facilities Management • REAL Education
Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Loughborough College
• Millie Clayton – Almac Group • James Cook – CS Ellis Group • Emily-Rose Moore – Hinckley &
Bosworth Borough Council • Chloe Grantham – Paragon Sales
Solutions • Alice Deeping – Unsworth Sugden
Group
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Leicester Business Festival
• Jaz Kaur and Narinder Nijjar – Fraser
Stretton • Satwinder Sidhu - Paradigm Wills and Legal Services • Brij Thankey – Precision Facilities
Management
• Navroop Kaur – Prime Casual • Alex Slack – The House of LM
Education and Business Partnership Award – Sponsored by Blueprint Interiors
• De Montfort University – Small
Business Leadership Programme • Loughborough College • MIRA Technology Institute • North Warwickshire and South
Leicestershire College • REAL Education
Excellence in Customer Service –Sponsored by ER Recruitment
• Furnley House • Glenfield Electrical • Growth Partners • Kazzoo IT • Paradigm Wills and Legal Services
Excellence in International Trade –Sponsored by HSBC
• A Mistry • Metalfacture • Worldwide Express (UK)
Small Business of the Year –Sponsored by PPL PRS
• Arthur Civil Engineering • Charnwood Regency Guest House • Precision Facilities Management • We Love Surveys • Your Tender Team
Excellence in Innovation – Sponsored by RSM
• Access Rating • Penny Price Aromatherapy • Printvision (UK) • Structural Adhesives
Excellence in Collaboration –Sponsored by Fraser Stretton
• Alex’s Wish • Creative62 • De Montfort University – Round-to-
Knives • Joined-Up Working Associates • Leicestershire Cares
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 FINALISTS
Business Improvement Through Technology – Sponsored by Air IT
• Forsyth Barnes • NT Voice & Data Solutions • Performance Networks • Ryley Wealth Management
Community Impact Award –Sponsored by Breeze Corporate Finance
• Maggie’s Nottingham • Nottingham Forest Community Trust • René House • RideWise • TTK Confectionery • CCM Group • Eight Days a Week Print Solutions • Forsyth Barnes • TTK Confectionery
Environmental Impact Award
• JG Pears • Plastek UK • RideWise • Shredall SDS Group
Commitment to People Development Award – Sponsored by QTS Group
• CCM Group • Plastek UK • Portland College • REAL Education • Ryley Wealth Management
Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by EMA Training
• Amie Betteridge – Fidler & Pepper
Lawyers • Joshua Ruthven – Page Kirk • Martin Cull – Page Kirk • Megan Langley – SourceCloud
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland
• Trent Peek – CCM Group • Richard Fletcher – Ignys • Rebecca Bull – My HR Hub • Iwona Lebiedowicz - PAB Languages
Centre • Faye Harding – The FE People
Education and Business Partnership Award – Sponsored by Nottingham University Business School
• Access Training (East Midlands) • REAL Education • The Futures Group
Excellence in Customer Service –Sponsored by Eight Days a Week Print Solutions
• KuKu Connect • Plastek UK • Ryley Wealth Management • SourceCloud • Voldi
Excellence in International Trade –Sponsored by DHL
• JG Pears • Mobile Air Traffic Control Systems • Plastek UK • Unic International
Small Business of the Year –Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University
• CCM Group • Forsyth Barnes • PLM Global • TTK Confectionery • Unic International
Excellence in Innovation – Sponsored by HSBC
• Affari Media • Home Curtains (UK) • KuKu Connect • Performance Networks
Excellence in Collaboration –Sponsored by Motorcycle Funerals
• Arc Partnership • Love My Town Group • Maggie’s Nottingham • Rotheras
A welcome return for face-to-face training
The Chamber’s commercial training arm was forced to pivot to virtual delivery overnight 16 months ago but, as we gradually return towards normality, business training manager Vicki Thompson and her team are now looking ahead to what the future will bring – while continuing to support a wide range of businesses and individuals.
How do you feel today? If I asked you to describe your thoughts about returning to the training room and sitting, albeit socially distanced, with people you don’t know for a full day, how would you respond?
We are planning courses all year – initially, the decision is to continue with online delivery, which is working really well, and we are getting some great feedback from our delegates.
However, it would be really great to get an idea about how YOU are feeling. It would be great if you take just a few minutes to complete our online survey at bit.ly/2U2OWYv.
DEVELOPING SENIOR LEADERS
As one of the leading business support organisations in the East Midlands, we know how difficult the past 16 months have been. We have spoken to thousands of businesses, supporting them through some very difficult waters.
As well as offering support and guidance, we also offer development, and at this time, more than ever, it’s important that as a business you have the vision required to support and grow your business.
Our Director Development Programme is designed to equip directors and senior manager with the skills and confidence they need to drive their business forward and achieve objectives.
Craig Harbron, from Bennett Engineering, attended our face-to-face programme and remarked on how he had “no idea that my level of motivation would be as great or I’d learn so much in those five days”.
And more recently, online programme delegate Richard Hewitt, from Codel International, observed how the course material had been “engaging and insightful” by using breakout sessions that enabled people to work in smaller groups on various tasks.
“The range of topics tackled by the course is extensive and it really helped me gain a useful insight into areas of my company that I previously thought did not need to concern me,” he said.
“Undertaking this course has had a tangible impact on the way I operate within the senior management structure, but also with my direct reports and team members.”
We are currently unsure if the autumn course will be face-to-face or online, but we can see both versions are giving great results.
For more information, visit bit.ly/3qm4Vx3
WE'RE ON THE HUNT FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF PEER NETWORKS
Having worked on the pilot phase of the D2N2 Peer Network Programme over the winter months, I’m delighted to be joining forces with the scheme again to offer the opportunity to 200 new businesses.
Peer Networks is a peer-to-peer networking programme for SMEs in which diverse cohorts of individuals can work collaboratively through common business issues, guided by expert facilitators.
It enables members to discuss their challenges, gaining and reflecting on valuable feedback, and implementing practical solutions to overcome them.
The fully-funded programme is available to any SME that’s operated for at least one year, has five employees minimum and a turnover of £100,000-plus – not to mention an aspiration to improve, and the potential to scale up or export.
