The wait is over, as finalists for the North West Family Business Awards have been announced.
Applications have been sent in from all corners of the North West region for the forthcoming Awards on Friday 10th May 2024 at Bolton Football Stadium. The eagerly anticipated list of finalists features 67 outstanding businesses and individuals who were chosen from a record number of family businesses entering the awards this year.
The North West Family Business Awards, organised by The Family Business Community, champions family firms from across the region, recognising their achievements and celebrating their successes.
With over 5 million family-owned businesses in the UK, employing approximately 50% of the private sector workforce, family firms are a huge contributor to the UK economy.
Dave Clarkson, Co-Founder of The Family Business Community said, “Family businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and we feel it is vitally important to represent them as a sector in their own right. From micro businesses to multi-generational companies that have been operating for hundreds of years, we’re looking forward to a real celebration at this May’s awards.”
Sue Howorth, Co-Founder of The Family Business Community said, “After the success of previous years, “With another year of increased entries we have been working with our 23 judges who are representing all 5 counties of the North West, and we know they have had extremely difficult decisions to make. Our finalists should be extremely proud of themselves for being recognised in this year’s shortlist.
Selena Kearvall, Senior Vice President of Marsh Commercial -one of our judges this year (and also sponsor of the Manufacturing award) said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of the judging panel for the North West Family Business Awards. Having worked closely with family-run businesses throughout my career, I understand the resilience, passion, and dedication that these enterprises bring to their communities. It’s truly inspiring to witness their outstanding achievements and contributions. I look forward to celebrating the success demonstrated by family businesses operating within the region and good luck to all the finalists.”
Fellow judge, Tom Mathew, Group Commercial Director of Dunsters Farm, said: “As always, it was fantastic to hear the stories of the resilient and ambitious business people working in family-run businesses across the region. The judging day is an opportunity for me to contribute to the vibrant family business community but also to go away inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by the applicants. “
The task of reviewing and shortlisting this year’s entries was a difficult one, with the judges looking for businesses that could demonstrate a strong business strategy and a commitment to providing a first-class service, as well as sound business processes, values, and demonstrating a sustainable future.
In total, there were seventeen categories open for entry, including sector-specific categories, Employee of the Year and the People’s Choice Award where the winner is decided by a combination of public vote and judges scores.
The shortlisted finalists for the North West Family Business Awards 2024 are as follows:
Agribusiness
The Torpenhow Farm House Dairy
Threlfall’s Farm Dairies
H Pigney & Son
Eden Yard
Construction, Property & Engineering
DASCO Construction
Orb Rope Access
Cubby Construction
Story Decorating Group
Business Services B2B
Cache4 IT
Cando Payments
Crime Prevention Services
Business Services B2C
Clifton Homecare
C&D Family Care
Hardy Soft Play Hire
Atherton House Group
Professional Carers
Manufacturing
Arden Dies
The Rakem Group
Seaways Services
Vanliners
Open House Products
Roberts Manufacturing
Haulage, Logistics & Transport
Seaways Services
Grace Overseas
Trinity Logistics
Wholesalers
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Penningtons Tea & Coffee
Honeyberry Solutions
Mini & Mighty
Retailers & E-Tailers
H Pigney & Son
Mini & Mighty
Adaptive Clothing
Charnleys Home & Garden
Briggs Shoes
Food & Drink Producers
Lovingly Artisan
Shed One
Higginsons of Grange
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Spice Kitchen
Wild Fox Distillery
Penningtons Tea & Coffee
Food & Drink Establishments
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
The Yan
The White Bull at Oswaldtwistle
Sabden Smash
Wild Fox Distillery
Leisure & Tourism
Cheshire Alpacas
Sunnyside Guest House
Shed One
R&D Kellet Mill House Farm
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Applegarth Villa
Park Foot Holiday Park
Employee of the Year
Dave Lavery – Adlington Law
Conrad Black – Almond & Mellor Services
Caitlin Allan – Aqueous Digital
Nicola Braide – C&D Family Care
Suzanne Booth & Laurie Brown – Cathy’s of Garston
Jelena Fedorjaks – Nutree Life
Stephen Butterworth – Story Decorating Group
Dawn Cross – Wild Fox Distillery
Josh Wheeler – Arden Dies
Ella Telford – Telford Automobiles
Sarah Ainsworth – Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Mandy Bury – Grace Overseas
John Ashcroft – Helen Home Funeral Directors
Emerging Family Business
R&D Kellet Mill House Farm
Honey Berry Solutions
Eden Yard
Adaptive Clothing
Sabden Smash
MashCroft’s
Peoples Choice
Atlas Environmental Services
Castle Guards Farm Retreats
Cathy’s of Garston
Cumbria Access & Maintenance Solutions
Coniston Stonecrafts
Helen Home Funeral Directors
Lakes Sandwiches
San Pietro
StarKidz Entertainment
Telford Automobiles
Village Green Tearooms
John Watt & Son
Green Award – Large
Arden Dies
Cubby Construction
Seaways Services
Story Decorating Group
Green Award – Small
R&D Kellet Mill House Farm
Shed One
The Yan
Hesketh Jones Construction
Community Impact – Large
Aqueous Digital
Adlington Law
Grace Overseas
The Rakem Group
Community Impact – Small
Hardy Soft Play Hire
Adaptive Clothing
Razzamatazz
Digital Transformation
Arden Dies
Cubby Construction
Adlington Law
Nutree Life
The Doris Project
RAF Engineering
Leadership Excellence
Adam Hodgkinson – Nutree Life
Sanjay Aggarwal – Spice Kitchen
Diana Grayston – The Lancashire Handyman
Karen Farrell – Crime Prevention Services
Sara Taylor – Grace Overseas
Caroline Cosh – Clifton Homecare
Briony Fawcett – PHX Training
You can also follow this link to all the finalists on our website:
The North West Family Business Awards 2024 Finalists
The finalists will now receive a visit from the judging panel before the final decision is made, with the winners announced at a glittering ceremony on Friday 10th May at The Premier Suite at Bolton Football Stadium, providing an exceptional backdrop for an evening of celebration and recognition.
