NIGHT TOWN HALL WAS FULL OF WINNERS:

FOUR hundred of Stockport’s finest from the business community packed out the Town Hall last week for the annual Stockport Business Awards ceremony.

The awards, organised by local accountancy practice Clarke Nicklin, were celebrating their fifth year having initially been set up by the firm in 2012.

Twelve businesses and individuals were recognised for their achievements, with a Special Recognition honour going to the Four Heatons Traders Association for their efforts in making the Four Heatons a better place to live, work and prosper.

Andrew Baggott, managing partner at Clarke Nicklin, said: “I am delighted at how the awards have grown and it’s a testament to the Stockport business community that we can easily fill the largest room in Stockport.

“We were expecting another great night and we weren’t disappointed. There is always an amazing buzz in the room, and this year was no different, I think it is great for the business community to get together and celebrate something really positive happening in the borough.”

Here is a full list of winners and runners up, with comments from the judges: ●●BUSINESS of the Year £5m+ – sponsored by NatWest George Cox & Sons “George Cox and sons are a fantastic family business who are doing extremely well and are worthy winners.” Shortlisted: Edward Mellor Together ●●BUSINESS of the Year £1-5m – sponsored by Gorvins Solicitors Madison Medical Professionals “Madison Medical Professionals were a stand out winner, demonstrating allround excellence in business.” Shortlisted: C&C Insurance Cullen Wealth ●●BUSINESS of the Year up to £1m – sponsored by Orbit Developments Platform 81 “Platform 81’s application was impressive, they are growing well, working with good businesses, employing more staff and their commitment to Stockport is clear.” Shortlisted: Distology Trust ●●BUSINESS Person of the Year – sponsored by Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants Chris Appleyard, Pioneer Group “Chris has consistently achieved amazing results for the business over a period of time now. He has grown the business from nothing a multi-million pound organisation and is well respected by his peers.” Shortlisted: Hayley Roberts, Distology Carl Hampson, Allied Bakeries ●●MOST Promising Young Business – sponsored by Clarke Nicklin Financial Planning Distology “Distology stood out from the crowd in this category and the success they’ve experienced in their early days is fantastic.” Shortlisted: AAI Global Analysis Legal ●●EMPLOYER of the Year Award – sponsored by Rowlinson Knitwear Life Leisure “This was a very strong application and it is obvious Life Leisure have a huge impact on the people within the organisation.” Shortlisted: Together SAS Daniels ●●THE Innovation Award – sponsored by Leemic UK Biobank “UK Biobank’s clear mission and purpose made them stand out from the competition. Judges thought they were an excellent organisation well worthy of this award.” Shortlisted: Advanced Mechanical Systems Great Grounds ●●INTERNATIONAL Business of the Year – sponsored by MAN Diesel & Turbo Premier Textiles “Premier Textiles is a long established Stockport business that is trading exceptionally well internationally. Their import and export figures are both impressive.” Shortlisted: APEM ParkCloud ●●EXCELLENCE in Corporate Social Responsibility – sponsored by Midshire Business Systems Valour Finance Group “A well-deserved award for Valour who clearly have a CSR focus at the heart of their business.” Shortlisted: Vernon Building Society SAS Daniels ●●BEST Not for Profit Organisation – sponsored by Ashcroft Creative Design Seashell Trust “Seashell Trust is a fantastic organisation, showing substantial growth, and it’s about time they received some recognition. We’re very proud to have you in the borough.” Shortlisted: The Mill Youth Centre Together Trust ●●RETAIL Business of the Year - sponsored by Marketing Stockport Rhode Island Coffee “Rhode Island Coffee is a fantastic business and their application blew the judges away.” Shortlisted: Chambers Skateshop Heaton Hops ●●SPECIAL Recognition – sponsored by Stockport Council and Stockport Economic Alliance Four Heatons Traders Association

Stockport Business Awards charity partner for 2016 was Francis House Children’s Hospice. Francis House is a very special hospice caring for children with a short life expectancy.

They go there having been diagnosed as having ‘no cure’ so Francis House try to improve the quality of their short lives.

Organisers would like to thank guests for their generosity in helping to raise over £5,000 for charity on the night.

For further information visit stockportbusinessawards.co.uk.