An energy company with a projected annual turnover of £100 million and a charity that provides free food for people in need were among the winners at the inaugural Staffordshire University Business Awards.
More than 330 guests attended a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony in the University’s Catalyst Building last night where accolades were given to companies, organisations and individuals in 11 diverse categories.
GivEnergy, headquartered in Newcastle-under-Lyme, was one of the evening’s big winners, taking home both Business of the Year and the Growth Award and being highly commended for the Innovation Award and the Business in the Community Award.
Affordable Food Stoke, based in Blurton, in Stoke-on-Trent, won the Team of the Year Prize and was joint winner of the Business in the Community Award, alongside Holdcroft Heating and Gas Fitting, from Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
A lifetime achievement award was presented to Gary Mellor of Beswicks Legal and Beswicks Sports, in Stoke, for his contributions to the legal industry and the world of sports agency – not just regionally but nationally and internationally.
Representatives from Daily Focus, which is a partnership between i-creation and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, were in attendance as finalists and were Highly Commended in the Team of the Year category.
Editor Nigel Pye said: “We have a unique team which uses a blend of skills from two different organisations to make Daily Focus work.
“We’re incredibly proud to have achieved so much since launching only eight months ago and would like to thank everyone for the support and contributions.”
Gemma Whalley, Head of Marketing and Communications at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The rise of Daily Focus has been stratospheric and we’re very proud of what we have achieved.
“We welcome more stories from any businesses so that we can continue to shout about the great work done in Staffordshire.”
Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Staffordshire University, said: “The awards evening was a #proudtobestaffs celebration of world-class talent and the culmination of an awards campaign which attracted an incredible number of entries that told stories about exciting new products and services and the stand-out individuals and companies behind them.”
More than 130 nominations were received for the awards, which aimed to recognise and reward the skill, creativity and endeavour of the business community in Staffordshire.
Martin Tideswell, the Director of Communities and Commercial Engagement at Staffordshire University, added: “Our campaign also seeks to enrich and expand Staffordshire University’s already strong connections with employers and business leaders – while underlining our status as a Civic university which aims to champion the communities we serve.”
| Category | Winner | Highly commended |
| Lifetime achievement Award | Gary Mellor, Beswicks Legal and Beswicks Sports | |
| Business of the Year | GivEnergy | Reliance Medical Woolcool |
| Small Business of the Year | Best of British Beer | Promtek Carse and Waterman |
| Entrepreneur of the Year | Adam Whitehouse, TMT First | Jan Wong Tom Wilkinson, Beta Commercial Finance |
| Apprentice of the Year | Alex Wixon, Capula | Kathryn Arnot, Haughton Design Rachel Shingler, UHNM |
| Innovation Award | PFE Medical | Mirage Ltd GivEnergy |
| Growth Award | GivEnergy | Reliance Medical Comp Door |
| Young Business Person of the Year | Chloe Breeze, Chloe Breeze Illustration | Reece Thornton-Bate, Phat Lads Tom Yorke, Ford Mainwaring |
| Team of the Year | Affordable Food Stoke | SG Fleet Daily Focus |
| Skills For The Future | KMF | TMT First Carse and Waterman |
| Business in the Community | Holdcroft Heating and Gas Fitting | Affordable Food Stoke GivEnergy |
| Alumni Business Person of the Year | Daniel Waterman, Carse and Waterman | Paul Drew, Apprentify Group Dr Najam Kidwai, Crypto 1 |
The Staffordshire University Business Awards is sponsored by: Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, KMF Group, Beswicks Legal, SG Fleet, Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke City Football Club, Plinkfizz, RBC Brewin Dolphin, KPI Recruiting, Rydale Roofing, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Dains Accountants, Synetics Solutions, Waterworld, and Netbiz Group.
