Partner Article

Yorkshire companies shortlisted in UK Private Business Awards

10 of the most successful and innovative private businesses in Yorkshire are shortlisted for the sixth annual UK Private Business Awards, often referred to as the Diamonds.

The finalists have been selected from over a thousand entries from private businesses across the UK and reflect the increasing diversity in the private business landscape.

The Awards recognise the important contribution that entrepreneurs and private businesses make to their communities and the UK economy. These dynamic businesses demonstrate how the UK’s private business sector is innovating and growing across a diverse range of industries.

The Yorkshire shortlisted nominees are:

Private Business of the Year Award

Portakabin is the market leader of pre-fabricated and modular buildings in the UK, with significant European operations. Acorn Stairlifts has been designing, making and installing stairlifts for more than 20 years and is now the largest company in the world specialising solely in making stairlifts. An Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world every 8 minutes (24 hours x 365 days). Acorn exports to more than 80 different countries and is the market leader for stairlifts in the USA.

Family Business of the Year Award

Harrison Spinks Beds manufactures mattresses that are assembled by hand with all the components spun, woven, coiled or fabricated on the same site. The family farm is used to supply much of the wool and flax used in the manufacturing process.

International Business of the Year Award

Acorn Stairlifts has been designing, making and installing stairlifts for more than 20 years and is now the largest company in the world specialising solely in making stairlifts. An Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world every 8 minutes (24 hours x 365 days). Acorn exports to more than 80 different countries and is the market leader for stairlifts in the USA. Turner & Townsend is one of the world’s leading engineering, construction and project management consultancies.

Rising Star of the Year Award

Filmore & Union provides premium quality pure, natural and wholesome food to eat in and take out and believes in using foods with nutritional value. The business, which has invested heavily in growth and brand, continues to expand. Split The Bills presents a tech-based solution to the growing propensity of shared living. Through their administration service, housemates can effortlessly split their household bills between them.

CEO of the Year Award

· Jacqui Hall is Managing Director of CNG Ltd, the UK’s leading independent supplier of Commercial Gas, a very real alternative to the Big Six. Jacqui is a well-known face in the local business community and leads the business with over 130 people and was instrumental in creating CNG’s values: Fun, Fair, Care, Open, Honest and WOW.

· Simon Biltcliffe is a firebrand who proves his alternative mantra works in business. His print business, Webmart Ltd, has innovated to stay relevant in a changing market and has grown whilst maintaining its policy of never borrowing a penny. Simon treats his employees as partners and shares the business’s profits with them.

Private Business Woman of the Year Award

Adele Ashley has successfully taken her vision for business to reality. Adele chose to grow her up-market, healthy living and lifestyle brand, Filmore & Union, whilst the UK was experiencing a recession and has seen it thrive.

Gordon Singer, private business partner at PwC, commented:

“I’m delighted to see so many Yorkshire private businesses on the shortlist, more than ever before. The shortlist showcases the very best of the companies who have entered from across the country and recognises the fantastic achievements of entrepreneurs, their businesses and their teams. Privately owned businesses are the backbone of our economy, both locally and more widely across the UK. We are passionate about supporting and celebrating their successes.

“Our independent judging panel had an unenviable task during the voting process. All commented on the quality of the submissions and the passion, drive and stories behind the businesses which have made it to this stage.

“We wish all the shortlisted companies the best of luck in the national final, which is a celebration of the success of private businesses.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors.

The winners of the UK Private Business Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on 15 September 2016 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1.

To find out more about the awards visit www.ukpba-awards.co.uk

You can also follow @UKPBA_Awards and #UKPBA16 on Twitter to hear the latest news about the awards.

The UK Private Business Awards has two gold sponsors this year, Business Growth Fund and The Supper Club

Contact:

Duncan Bowker

PR Manager - North PwC

Tel: 0161 245 2528 / 07841 468 175 Email: duncan.bowker@uk.pwc.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Duncan Bowker .