Awards showcase the cream of Cheshire business

SOME of Cheshire’s best-run businesses have scooped prizes in the annual High Sheriff’s Award for Enterprise.

First place was awarded to flooring manufacturer Flowcrete UK.

The Sandbach-based firm – which employs 70 people and has turnover of £20m – demonstrated excellence in people, products and service as well as continual innovation and sustainable growth.

It also impressed judges with its focus on innovation, brand development, partnerships and operational excellence to win a free place for one of its managers on Chester University’s Masters of Business Administration programme which is worth £9,000.

Mark Greaves, group managing director of Flowcrete UK, said: “Flowcrete is delighted to win this prestigious award, which will help support and strengthen our strategy to be the world’s leading specialist flooring company by continual improvement of our people, products and services.”

Second place – and a £4,000 cash prize – was awarded to Dandy’s Topsoil in Chester.

A family run business since the early 1800s the company showed a commitment to environmental issues and has increased its product range to include many recycled and organic products, some of which are produced from materials it has diverted from landfill and waste sites.

Third place, and a £2,000 cash prize, was presented to Wilmslow based Citation.

Operating since 1995, Citation’s position as one of the leading health and employment law consultancies in the UK has flourished.

The NeuroMuscular Centre, in Winsford, was presented with a special award for social enterprise for its work to support people affected by muscular dystrophy.

Professor Phil Harris, executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Business Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, added: “It is great to see so many vibrant businesses succeeding in Cheshire, built on entrepreneurial spirit high values and being focused on the customer.

“The High Sheriff’s Award Ceremony showcases the best in Cheshire.”