A repair company targeting an almost £20 million turnover milestone this year picked up the flagship award at a Keele University celebration last night.
TMT First was named the winner in the Collaboration of the Year and the Going for Growth categories at the Breaking the Mould awards, a scheme which acknowledges the region’s innovative businesses, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from collaboration opportunities with the university.
The Newcastle-under-Lyme-based firm, which Daily Focus recently reported is on track for a record year, repairs more than 200,000 mobile phones, tablets, accessories and laptops for businesses and consumers every year.
The event last night moved beyond the traditional awards ceremony format by delivering a combination of surprise musical performances and locally-sourced ethical food and drink, interspersed with inspiring stories of local organisations making a difference in the area.
Hosted by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky, the awards were presented in ten categories.
The winners were:
Health and Wellbeing Award – Apnea Tech
Sustainable Futures Award – Velorim
Social Inclusion Award – Expert Citizens
Cultivating Talent Award – Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Leading Innovation Award – River Canal Rescue
Entrepreneurial Student of the Year Award – Earth Stories Film Festival
Digital Futures Award – VUIT.Online
Going for Growth Award – TMT First. Highly commended – Concentric Solutions
Keele University Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year – SH:24. Runner up – Socially Grown
Collaboration of the Year Award – TMT First
Accepting the last award of the evening TMT First Chief Executive Adam Whitehouse, whose firm employs 140 people, said: “Our collaborations with Keele University stretch back many years.
“Some of the work we have done with Keele University has enabled us to develop technologies that no one else in the UK has and enabled us to grow our business.”
Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “The calibre of nominations received for this year’s awards was very impressive, with so many remarkable and inspirational stories from all corners and sectors of our region.
“Congratulations to all of our winners – they have truly embraced the power of collaborative working and are a testament to the impact that partnerships between universities and enterprises can have on the local area.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the ceremony, submitted a nomination or supported through sponsorship, without whom these awards wouldn’t have been the success that they have been.”
A list of all the shortlisted businesses and organisations, as featured in Daily Focus, can be found here.
For more information about the awards, click here.
