Salford’s business talent celebrated at annual awards

JMC IT and Oakwood Engineering won the big prizes at last nights Salford Business Awards.

More than 30 companies from across the city were shortlisted in a range of categories at the deremony which was held at the AJ Bell Stadium in Eccles.

JMC IT, which has around 400 clients, won Large Business of the Year and the Excellence Award. The Small Business of the Year went to Oakwood Engineering, which also picked up the Innovation Award.

The Entrepreneur Award went to LSE Retail Group, a £12m online lighting retailer set up by David Gutfreund just four years ago. The Energy and Environment Award was won by the Community Forest Trust which promotes the planting of trees.

The awards, organised by the University of Salford, The Business Group Salford and Salford City Council, are now in their seventh year. Mike Bushell, BBC Breakfast sports presenter, delivered the after-dinner speech.

Paul Wainwright, chair of The Business Group, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many successful businesses in Salford working together, creating job opportunities and promoting the City across the globe.

“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate their achievements and look forward to continuing our work supporting our thriving business community between now and the 2015 awards.”

Full list of winners and runners-up:

Business of the Year Award sponsored by TalkTalk Technology
Large Business of the Year: JMC IT
Small Business of the Year: Oakwood Engineering

Energy & Environment Award sponsored by ENER-G
Winner: Community Forest Trust
Runner-up: Baba+Boo

Excellence Award sponsored by Cetus Solutions & Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Winner: JMC IT
Runner-up: Imperative Training

International Trade Award supported by UKTI

Winner: Harland Machine Systems
Runner-up: ENER-G

Best Employer Award sponsored by JMC IT
Winner: CSG Lanstar
Runner-up: Cuckoo Design

Community Award sponsored by Salford City Council
Winner: The Lowry
Runner-up: Helping Hands

Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Salford Innovation Park
Winner: LSE Retail Group
Runner-up: Treacle Events

Rising Star Award sponsored by NatWest
Winner: KeepItUsable
Runner-up: Wink Nudge

Innovation Award sponsored by the University of Salford
Winner: Oakwood Engineering
Runner-up: Vaioni

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