Member Article

Ilkley businesses shone in glittering awards ceremony

The cream of the crop came out for a glittering ceremony on Friday to celebrate the best in business in Ilkley.

The Ilkley Business Awards attracted over 70 entries and the winners were revealed in a ceremony compered by Nick Babb and Alex Cann at the Kings Hall and Winter Gardens on 12th February.

Newcomer, The Black Hat, scooped the top award for the “Winner of Winners” following an impressive entry for the New Business of the Year.

Managing Director, Stewart Taylor was over the moon to have taken the overall award, he said: “We weren’t sure what to expect given this was the first ever Ilkley Business Awards. It was a brilliant night and we’re stunned to be taking away two awards. So many of our customers had heard the news and I was overwhelmed by the warm response we received on the night; it was really touching and most humbling.”

Other winners included Wintersgill Associates picking up two awards for Apprentice of the year and Professional services of the year with the Large Business of the year going to Spooner Industries.

Other personal awards went to Business Personality of the year going to Helen Rhodes of Poppy Red and Employee of the year going to Lynn Bochonek of RDC Solicitors. Nick Babb received a special recognition award for his work with the Ilkley community.

The awards committee were pleased with the feedback on the night and felt the decision to bring in independent judges made the awards a credible and independent accolade.

The three independent judges were Nigel Lockett, Professor of Enterprise at Leeds University Business School, Susanne Marchant, Director of Corporate Programmes as Leeds University Business School and Phil Harrison, Business Growth Adviser & Enterprise Coach.

The awards have attracted the attention of many local businesses who have supported the awards by sponsoring categories and contributing to the judging process. These include the Ilkley Business Forum, Wheatley Arms, Hunters, Spooners, Pinnacle, Box Tree restaurant, Denton Hall, BNI, Ison Harrison, LCF, Soda I.T and Angus Roberts.

The awards have been driven by Ilkley Business Forum members Julia Forrester from TaxAssist and Michelle Hudson from Box Tree Events and were created to celebrate the achievements of the small one man band and the large employers in the area. The duo said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the support we have received from the business community for the event. It has been a year in the planning but we have a fantastic committee who have all put in so much hard work to make the event a success.”

The Ilkley Business Awards was such a success that the date for 2017 is soon to be secured, more more information visit www.ilkleybusinessawards.co.uk.

Full winners below

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Jodie Verity - Wintersgill Associates

Employee of the Year

Lynn Bochonek - RDC Solicitors

Small Business of the Year

Bistro Saigon

Professional Services Business of the Year

Wintersgill Associates

Health and Beauty Business of the year

U Dentistry Limited

Business Personality of the Year

Helen Rhodes

Hospitality Business of the Year

Outside The Box

Independent Retailer of the year

Nora’s Interiors & Gifts

Large Business of the Year

Spooner Industries Ltd

New Business of the Year

The Black Hat

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .