Warrington Business Awards – winners unveiled

UPDATED:THE winners of the annual Warrington Business Awards have been unveiled during a gala presentation evening in a giant marquee at Lymm Rugby Club.

Around 500 local business people packed into the event to cheer on the various category winners at the event organised by local businesses for local businesses.

Guest speaker was BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin, who also helped present the various awards.

As well as the category winners there was also  a special surprise life time achievement award for local solicitor Norman Banner from FDR Law.

This was a new category introduced this year and was presented to Norman in recognition of Norman’s outstanding community work over many years in various roles with a number of organisations for the former Chairman of Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, who is currently Chairman of St Rocco’s Hospice and a consultant at FDR Law where he was a former senior partner.

Meanwhile commenting on the Community Award sponsored by warrington-worldwide, Dave McNicholl, Chief Executive of the Warrington Youth Club, said: “Having won the same award in 2015 for our National Citizen Service, I really did not think that we stood a chance, particularly in light of the fact that we were up against such excellent competition, in the form of Lifetime and the Warrington Wolves Foundation. I was completely gobsmacked when the compare for the evening BBC’s Louise Meachin announced Warrington Youth Club as the winner!!

“The last year has been both a challenging time but equally a very rewarding time following the receipt of the Warrington Business Award for Community Initiative in 2015 we went onto host the Warrington Youth Awards in October 2015. We then won the national Into Film Award for the best film Club in 2016. And one of our volunteers won an accolade from the High Sherriff of Cheshire for his commitment to supporting disabled children.

“The last year has made me extremely proud to be the Chief Executive and Leader of an incredible organisation that has over 3500 members and enjoys a monthly attendance of over 3000. We have a very exciting journey ahead and I am thrilled to be surrounded by an excellent and passionate staff team, army of volunteers and a board of trustees who believe 100% in developing Warrington Youth Club to support the lives of many more children and young people from across Warrington.”

The full list of finalists and winners were:

Business of the Year – sponsored by FDR Law

• Key Integrated Services – W
• Kids Planet
• Westbrook Industrial

Business Man of the Year – sponsored by Watsons Solicitors

• Andrew Jones, Totus Environmental – W
• Giles Hampton, RMG Recruitment
• Neil Gallant, Neutronic Technologies

Business Woman of the Year – sponsored by Primas Law

• Joanne Hawkins, Executive PA
• Pamela Cunliffe, R&D Tax Claims
• Rebecca Lord-Lyon, Edith & Winston Bridalwear – W

Employer of the Year – sponsored by Claremont Group Interiors

• Hultons Landscapes
• Legal for Landlords – W
• RMG Recruitment

Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Sci-Tech Daresbury

• Arcis Biotechnology
• Mindgift
• Pocket Midwife – W

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by South Warrington News

• Brandon Cherrett, Styles & Co Chartered Accountants – W
• Danielle Howe, FDR Law
• Nathan Webster, Hultons Landscapes

Green Award – sponsored by Inspire Risk Management

• Renewable Energy 4 Business -W
• Sharples Group
• Totus Environmental

Community Initiative of the Year – sponsored by Warrington Worldwide

• Lifetime Trust Warrington
• Warrington Wolves and Gladstone Brookes
• Warrington Youth Club -W

Hospitality Provider of the Year – sponsored by Appitized

• The Black Swan
• The Peace Centre – W
• Wasabi Teppan-yaki Japanese Restaurant

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Yorkshire Bank

• Accredited Skills
• No Brainer -W
• Totus Environmental

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Warrington Guardian

• Black Sheep Wools
• Disability Trading Company
• Edith & Winston Bridalwear
• Johnsons Hairdressers
• Stockton Heath Travel – W

Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Adele Carr Financial Recruitment

Winner: Norman Banner