Two great pull-outs
Examiner Business Awards:
MORE than 300 guests attended the Examiner Business Awards to celebrate success.
The 12th annual awards, held at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, included the presentation of the Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Jaguar and Land Rover dealer Rybrook, which went to Bernard Meehan for his commitment to manufacturing and engineering.
The award, presented by Dean Smethurst, business development manager for Rybrook, came as a surprise to Huddersfield-born Bernard, who told the audience: “I thought I’d just come for a night out. I generally prefer to keep a low profile!”
Bernard set out as an engineering apprentice and rose to become managing director of Ravensthorpebased Sewtec Automation – turning a firm founded as the design team for sewing machine maker Singer into one of the UK’s leading designers, manufacturers and installers of automated equipment and robotics for the manufacturing and packaging sectors.
Guests also heard about his commitment to industry-education links working with the University of Huddersfield.
Bernard told how he left school at 16 and became an engineering apprentice because he wanted “to make some brass”.
He said he welcomed the resurgence of apprenticeships today and told employers: “Look after your apprentices and one day they might look after you.”
Earlier in the evening, Examiner editor Wayne Ankers hailed Huddersfield as a thriving, prosperous town – remarking on plans to expand the Kingsgate shopping centre and how the town centre had attracted some of the biggest names in retail.
He said the university was going from strength to strength while ”showing the traditional Russell Group establishments how it should be done”.
Mention of Huddersfield Town in the Premier League status drew cheers. Wayne said top flight football presented Huddersfield with an opportunity “everyone must grasp” to raise the profile of the town and attract inward investment to Huddersfield and the rest of Kirklees.
The awards, hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, recognised winners and finalists in categories covering young entrepreneurs, SMEs, exporters, employers, employees, innovation and enterprise, community involvement, creative impact, new businesses and the business of the year – the last of these going to Elland-based interiors specialist Andy Thornton.
The firm’s managing director, Charles Tolley, said the firm’s architectural antiques showroom in West Vale was just the tip of the iceberg of what the company does.
Over the last two years its workforce has risen from 70 to 105 and its core business is renovating pubs, clubs, business and offices. “The new style now is retro and vintage,” he said. “That’s the ‘in thing.’”
There was also a special award – the Judges’ Choice Award – which went to not-for-profit organisation Huddersfield Live in recognition of its work to organise this summer’s Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival.
Brian Stahelin, of Huddersfield Live, said: “It’s all about giving something back to the town and the hope is to inspire others to do the same.”
The other winners included law firm Chadwick Lawrence, which was named Employer of the Year.
Lisa Bailey, head of HR, said: “A good employer is someone who is keen to listen to staff, get feedback and be committed to their development. It’s also important to make it a fun place to work which we do with activities ranging from charity walks and coffee mornings to dress down days.”
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Erika Maybury, 20, of Holmfirth marketing company Hollywood Agency, said social media marketing was now closely linked with so much business success.
Erika, the youngest-ever winner of the award, said: “We pitched our services to a business who said ‘we’ll give you a chance.’ Their engagement rate on social media then went up 480% in two months.”
The International Business of the Year was Waterloo-based branding agency the Principle Group, which started with two employees 30 years ago and now has 700 worldwide.
During his introduction to the evening’s celebrations, Harry commented on how category finalists were tweeting to wish each other good luck.
“This is a community where everyone wants to look after each other,” he said.
“Everyone in this room is a winner. Just to get here is a fantastic achievement.”