Business of the Year Awards 2024 sees big wins for Together, Marnie Millard and Dave Stevinson of QBS Technology Group
More than 400 guests attended the awards ceremony at The Midland, Manchester on Wednesday evening (10 October).
The Ambassador award went to Marnie Millard OBE, who is currently chair of UA92, Pura Foods, and Marks Electrical, and on the board of Applied Nutrition, which this week confirmed its plans to float.
“I’m just gobsmacked, it’s a real accolade” she said. “Whether it’s my charitable work, or the other work I do, it’s all as part of a team.
“We all get choices in life. When you have a choice in your career to do something that you really care about and you are really passionate about, that’s the best choice you can have.”
TheBusinessDesk.com’s North West editor, Michael Taylor, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists.
“We have in place a rigorous judging process which really put all of those shortlisted through their paces and the judges faced really tough calls in not only choosing winners, but selecting who would make it onto the shortlist.
“Businesses had to commit to a process that has really showed the very best of the North West and how the economy is facing up to a huge number of challenges.
“The judges heard not only incredible stories of resilience and innovation, but also how the spirit of togetherness and fairness runs through so many businesses.”
ALL THE WINNERS
Start Up of the year: CRIMPiT Group
Sponsored by Harold Sharp
Shortlisted:
- ApexSG
- Incognito
- Lowry Legal
- MS Lending Group
- Pop Specs
Sustainability: Contact Originators
Sponsored by PwC
Shortlisted:
- Alpine Fire Engineers
- Findel
- Joloda Hydraroll
- Tyler Grange
Community Impact: DASCO Construction
Sponsored by Bedspace
Shortlisted:
- Findel
- Glass Futures
- Vivify Venues
- Warwick North West
Employer of the Year: Alpine Fire Engineers
Sponsored by Robert Walters
Shortlisted:
- AMS Accountants Group
- One+All
- Tyler Grange
- Warwick North West
International Trade: QBS Technology Group
Sponsored by CMS
Shortlisted:
- AZoNetwork.com
- Evolve
- My Fabulosa
Investment: Seashell Trust
Sponsored by Campaigner
Shortlisted:
- Glass Futures
- Ripple
- Seashell Trust
- Vanliners
Family Business: P.P. O’Connor Group
Sponsored by Freeman Clarke
Shortlisted:
- Arighi Bianchi
- JPL Flavour Technologies
- The Nursery Store
- ROCCIA
- Vanliners
Small Business (up to 50 employees): JPL Flavour Technologies
Shortlisted:
- Euan Kellie Property Solutions
- Hip Pop
- Prospect Homes
- Snag Doctor
- V7 Recruitment
Medium Business (51-250 employees): CoolKit
Sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin
Shortlisted:
- Ardent
- Contact Originators
- ESG
- OakNorth
- Sutcliffe
Large Business (251+ employees): Together
Sponsored by CMS
Shortlisted:
- Findel
- Hill Biscuits
- Joloda Hydraroll
- P.P. O’Connor Group
- Seashell Trust
Fast Growth Business: BrightHR
Sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin
Shortlisted:
- Alpine Fire Engineers
- IN4 Group
- QBS Technology Group
- urbanbubble
- Vivify Venues
CEO of the Year: Dave Stevinson, QBS Technology Group
Sponsored by Robert Walters
Shortlisted
- Richard Caten – Ardent
- Charmaine O’Conner – PP O’Connor
- Brandon Leigh – Seashell Trust
- Christy Foster, The Nursery Store
Ambassador: Marnie Millard, Applied Nutrition and UA92
The charity for the night was St. Ann’s Hospice, thank you to everyone for giving so generously.