Seven up for Private Business Awards

SEVEN regional companies and individuals are in the running for the Private Business Awards.

The nominees include several prominent family businesses including brewer and pub operator JW Lees, international technical recruitment company Fircroft and Blackburn-based petrol station developer and operator,

Outside of London and the south east, this region has more finalists than any other region. Winners will be announced in the autumn.
Alison Lever, partner at sponsor PwC in the North West said: “Private businesses are the foundation of the British economy and are rightly viewed by the government as a ‘key part of our economic lifeblood.

“These awards give private businesses the opportunity to share their successes and gain recognition for their innovative work on a national stage, and pitch themselves rightly alongside some of the UK’s leading brands.”

Tracey Mort, managing director of Stockport-based cosmetics and beauty products retailer, Grace Cole is in the running for the Businesswoman of the year title. Warrington-based Fircroft is shortlisted in the private business of the year category, while EuroGarages, is nominated as high growth business.

Along with JW Lees – which recently revealed a £60m-plus expansion plan – Ralawise, the Deeside based global distributor
is up for the family business of the year title.

Colin Stevens, managing director of Wigan based Better Bathrooms, which is expanding nationwide backed by the Business Growth Fund, is  
a finalist in the emerging entrepreneur category, while MPM Products, the Macclesfield based pet food manufacturer is competing in the international company category.