THE finalists for the inaugural North West Family Business Awards have been selected by the judges – with 192 entries from across the region.
Fourteen business leaders from all sectors across the North West came together at Lancaster University to go through the mountain of entries for the North West Family Business Awards, open to businesses in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria.
Founder and co-director of the North West Family Business Awards, Sue Howorth said: “We have had a fantastic response to our new awards, receiving 192 entries.
“The standard of applications has been incredible in all categories. It just goes to show how amazing the North West’s family businesses are.”
Co-director, Dave Clarkson said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to fill out an application form and enter.
“Our judges had their work cut out to select the finalists, as the standard is incredibly high.
“However, after much discussion and deliberation, our finalists have been chosen – including the People’s Choice for each region and employee of the year. For these two categories, the public can vote for their favourite business from February 17th until the day before the awards ceremony on March 6th. Voting will be via the North West Family Business Awardwebsite.
Jacqui Jackson from Thomas Jardine & Co and 2020 North West Awards Chair of Judges said: “The number and quality of applications from across the North West has been outstanding, the businesses are clearly proud to be family businesses and the detail in many of the entries has demonstrated that they are very progressive and innovative”
The finalists now go through to the North West Awards ceremony on March 6th. This first-class event will be held under the wings of Concorde in the purpose-built hangar and events centre at Manchester Airport with host, food writer, and presenter Nigel Barden.
You don’t need to be a finalist to join the celebrations as tickets for the prestigious awards ceremony are now on sale. As well as meeting the most exceptional family businesses from across the North West, you’ll enjoy a three-course meal and entertainment.
Winners of the North West Family Business Awards will go forward to represent the region in the National Awards.
The new North West Family Business Awards celebrates the achievements of family businesses and has evolved from the successful Cumbrian awards which were co-founded in 2017.
Shortlisted finalists for The North West Family Business Awards 2020 are:
Business & Community:
- Stan Sherlock Associates
- Direct2Florist
- Bowness Post Office
- Choose Occupational Health
Property & Construction
- George Cox & Sons Ltd
- First Trace Heating Direct Ltd
- Story Decorating Group Ltd
Emerging Family Business
- The Milking Parlour
- Herdwork Ltd
- Colman & Colman
Food and Drink Establishments
- Atkinsons Coffee Roasters – J. Atkinsons & Co. (Lancaster) Ltd.
- Low Sizergh Barn
- Higginsons Limited
- Ciel Hotels Ltd T/A Askham Hall, The Queen’s Head Askham & The George and Dragon Clifton
Food and Drink Producers
- Butlers Farmhouse Cheese
- Cheshire Farm Chips
- Manchester Gin
Wholesalers
- Dunsters Farm Ltd
- Abbey England
- Penningtons Tea & Coffee Ltd
Retailers
- Bents Garden Centre Ltd
- Atkinsons Coffee Roasters – J. Atkinsons & Co. (Lancaster) Ltd
- Bluebell Fitted Furniture
- Arragons Cycles
- Bath House
Large Manufacturing & Engineering
- Tibard Group Ltd
- George Cox & Sons Ltd
- Glossop Cartons
Small Manufacturing & Engineering
- Hydraulics Online Ltd
- First Trace Heating Direct Ltd
- Mantle Packaging Machinery Ltd
- Abbey England Ltd
- JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery) Ltd
Transport & Logistics
- Edge Transport
- Spencer Graham Coaches Ltd
Leisure & Tourism
- Partington’s Holiday Parks
- Emm Bee Motorhomes
- Upfront Gallery
- Ciel Hotels Ltd T/A Askham Hall, The Queen’s Head Askham & The George and Dragon Clifton
Science & Technology
- Kendal Nutricare
- Nisyst
- Earth Environmental & Geo technical Ltd
Non-Family Leader
- To be announced on the night.
People’s Choice:
Cumbria:
- Land of Sky & Media
- Upfront Gallery
- The Plough Inn
- The Brown Horse Inn
- MacArthur Recruitment Ltd
- Choose Occupational Health
- Star of Siam Cumbria Ltd
- Ginger Bakers
- Penningtons
- Kendal Hostel
- San Pietro Ltd
- Detail Retail
- Webbs of Kendal Kitchen designs
- Arragons Cycles
- Absoluxe Suites
- Lakeland Artisan
- Westmorland Homecare
Lancashire:
- Feathers & Springs
- Pendle Doors Ltd
- New Brooms
- Brades Farm Dairy Ltd
- Blinds & Curtains by Nicola Jane Company
- Milestone Wines Ltd
- Lakeland Lodges
- Wild Peas Camping
- Plumbs
Cheshire:
- Compassionate Care Ltd
- Mum to the Power of two
- Bluebell Fitted Furniture
- Cheshire Farm House Chips
Merseyside:
- Port Sunlight Garden Centre & Cafe
- JJ Smith & Co
- Central Group Ltd
Greater Manchester:
- Ligero Design Ltd
- Manchester Gin
- Emm Bee Motor Homes
- John Lord Specialist Flooring
- Direct 2 Florist
Employee of the Year
- Kendal Nutricare – Will McMahon
- Sally’s Cottages – Becca Laff
- The Black Bull – Laura Kitchen
- Dunsters Farm Ltd – Tom Curtin
- Higginsons – Mark Porter
- Butlers Farmhouse Cheese – Lee Sanderson
- Arragons Cycles – Ben Taylor
- Herdwork – Samuel Morrison
- Brades Dairy Farm – Kim Howard
- Bluebell Fitted Furniture – Stephen Capel
- Irving Coaches – Kimble Cartner
- Stan Sherlock Associates – Sandra Sproat
Tickets for The North West Family Business Awards celebration are available via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/book/event?embed&eid=9515
You can follow the awards on social media with the hashtags #NWFBA2020 and #WeAreNorthWest.
For more information about the North West Family Business Awards visit: www.northwestfamilybusinessawards.co.uk
Caption
The judging panel for the first North West Family Business Awards: Grahame Latus of Enterprise Answers, Matt Hutchinson of the Lancaster University Management School, Simon Glencross of NXT Recruitment, Paul Andrews of Family Business United, Jane Montague of Majestic Publications, Karen Stalker of Stalkers Transport Services Ltd, Christian Mancier of Gorvins Solicitors, Peter Stafford of Cartmell Shepherd, Dawn Duggan of The Business Growth Hub, Lucy Power of bamboo by HM, Emma Porter of Story Contracting, Sheena McDermott of Be the Business, Graham Lamont of Lamont Pridmore, Lead Judge Jacqui Jackson of Thomas Jardine & Co.
