Entries have opened for the University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2025.
Businesses of all sectors and sizes and businesspeople at every stage of their career are invited to participate in the campaign which will culminate in a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony in September.
It is the third year that the university has worked with partner organisations and businesses around the region to celebrate the very best of the business community and more than 350 guests attended the event last year.
Launching the awards at a special breakfast event yesterday, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Martin Jones said 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the university and that the awards will ‘shine the spotlight on the best employers, entrepreneurs and innovators.’
Among last year’s big winners was Reliance Medical, the UK’s leading trade supplier of first aid supplies, which won both Business of the Year and the Growth Award.
The Talke-based company’s Founder and CEO Andrew Pear joined the university’s Jenny Amphlett on stage for a Q&A at the launch event held at the Catalyst building.
He credited an MBA he studied at University of Staffordshire as a contributing factor to his success.
The firm is on course to reach £50 million turnover this year and has 500 staff worldwide, while Andrew also has other business interests including Pecks Restaurant, near Congleton.
He referenced the warmth and hard-working nature of people in North Staffordshire while talking to the audience made up of sponsors and key members of the business community.
The entrepreneur, who once worked in Lewis’s department store in Hanley, also gave advice to those starting out in business.
He said: “You have got to be prepared to take risks. Take risks early and be prepared to get it wrong. If you get it wrong, be prepared to go again.”
This year, a new category has been added to the awards to recognise a Start-Up Business of the Year.
Other categories include Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Innovation Award, Growth Award, Young Business Person of the Year, Team of the Year, Skills For The Future, Business in the Community Award, High Street Impact Award and Alumni Business Person of the Year.
Entries close in June and judging will take place in July.
Martin Tideswell, Director of Communities and Commercial Engagement at University of Staffordshire, said: “University of Staffordshire is a Civic University with a stated aim of championing the communities within which it is based and our flagship awards are a key component of this.
“The real value of this campaign is the relationships that are formed as a result of the connections made and we are very proud to be helping to lead the conversation about good businesses here in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and the wider region – along with our many partners and supporters.”
The sponsors of The Staffordshire University Business Awards include Hochtief, Plenary, Sabit, Capula,GivEnergy, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Beswicks, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, KMF, SG Fleet, Stoke-on-Trent College, Plinkfizz, Rydale Roofing, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Stoke City FC, Port Vale FC, Staffordshire County Council, FoodHub, The Supply Register and World of Wedgwood.
To find out more about the awards, including how to enter, click here or contact [email protected]
