The best of the West Midlands celebrated at 2016 Business Masters

THE late Darren Cooper, the prominent Black Country politician who was a driving force behind the creation of the West Midlands Combined Authority before his untimely death earlier this year, was named Ambassador of the Year at TheBusinessDesk.com’s Business Masters awards.

Mr Cooper, who led Sandwell Council, was recognised for his efforts to promote a collective approach and to drive forward the best interests of the region as a whole.

TheBusinessDesk.com celebrated the very best of West Midlands business at the awards ceremony at Edgbaston, which was hosted by business presenter Steph McGovern. The evening also raised £1,070 for local charity LoveBrum.

The awards were sponsored by Birmingham Airport, Concept Sign and Display, Hollywood Monster and MHA MacIntyre Hudson.

Colmore Tang Construction won the Fast Growth award for the impressive way the company had increased its turnover from £2.5m to £60m in just two years on the back of significant projects, including the recently-opened Park Regis Hotel.

The Innovator award went to Cundall, for its fantastic use of Oculus Rift, a gaming tool they have utilised to create a Virtual Acoustic Reality system enabling customers to hear and see what it is like to be inside a building.

BDHT won Employer of the Year and Story Comms took home the Newcomer award.

Catalyst Corporate Finance beat off strong competition in the Professional Services firm of the Year trophy and Portmeirion’s impressive growth, particularly in Asia, saw it named Exporter of the Year.

Automotive business Futura Group won the Manufacturer award while Sixth Sense Salon won the Lifestyle business award for its work with cancer patients to find their confidence after treatment that caused hair loss.

Stephen Jones, from Brewin Dolphin, was the winner of the Pride/CSR award after he raised £80,000 for Cure Leukaemia as part of a group who rode the Tour de France route a day ahead of the professional cyclists.