A sell out audience of 500 people celebrated business success in a giant marquee at Lymm Rugby Club at the 2015 Warrington Business Awards.
Organised by three Warrington networking groups, Pro Warrington, Business Breakfast Group and Warrington First, guest speaker was Everton CEO Robert Elstone, who also presented the prizes.
A raffle on the night helped raise money for three charities – Everton in the Community, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace and the Warrington Wolves Foundation.
More than 100 businesses entered the awards, with three shortlisted for each of the eight categories.
Apprentice of the Year was Lewis Haworth from the Optionis Group, with runners up Jonathan Levy from the Foundation for peace and Jack Peters from FDR Law.
Retailer of the Year was Dawsons Music, with runners up Black Sheep Wools and Sculpt Hair and Beauty.
Innovation of the Year was Golden Gates Housing & Footprint Solutions, with runners up Calibre Control International and Skillray Trasnport Services UK.
Community Initiative of the Year was Warrington Youth Club’s Citizens Programme, runners up were St Rocco’s RocOn Project and the Wolves Foundation.
New Business of the Year was Qudos Marketing, with runners up JEM Recycling and Primas Law.
Businessman of the Year was Mark Poulton from Key Integrated Services and runners up were Lee Birchall from DV8 Design and Nick Taylor from the Foundation for Peace.
Business Woman of the Year was Vicki Swinden from The Print Company and runners up were Jan Souness MD of LiveWire and Culture Warrington and Siobhan McCarroll from Dunky’s Day Nursery.
Business of the Year was Birchwood based Claremont with runners up Aspect Construction Contracts and Britplas Commercial Windows.
The event was sponsored by Golden Square and the HSBC.
Plans are already in the pipeline for next year’s event.
Organising committee member Graeme Hindley, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists at the Warrington Business Awards 2015. The volume and exceptional quality of entrants made it extremely tough for our judges, but we are delighted with the outcome and the accompanying celebrations on Friday night.
“I can’t remember the Warrington business community ever having such a celebration before and we can’t wait for next year’s event! The feedback we have received has been great and we thank everyone involved; not least our headline sponsors, Golden Square and HSBC.”
Ian Cox, Centre Director at Warrington Golden Square Shopping Centre which sponsored the awards, was on the judging panel for the Businessman of the Year category.
Ian said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the winners, in particular the Business of the Year winners Claremont, who are well deserving of the accolade.
“In particular I’d also like to congratulate Mark Poulton who won the Businessman of the Year category, which I was on the judging panel for. We had some really strong entries but in the end Mark just had the edge this year.
“It was a great night, a well organised event and a wonderful way to celebrate the talent and diversity in the Warrington business community.
“All of those who were shortlisted deserve to be proud of their achievement and the fantastic contribution they make to the local economy.”
Apprentice of the year – Lewis Haworth – Optionis Group
Retailer of the Year – Dawsons Music
Innovation of the Year Golden Gates Housing & Footprint Solutions
Community Initiative of the Year – Warrington Youth Club
New Business of the Year Qudos Marketing
Business Man of the Year Mark Poluton – Key Integrated Services
Business woman of the Year Vicki Swinden – The Print Company
Business of the year – Claremont
1 Comment
Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who helped organise a superb event – well done!