Best in business in Cheshire celebrated at big awards event

Winners of The High Sheriff’s Awards for Enterprise included a Chester company promoting gut health, a Crewe service supporting women, a game developer based in Warrington, a charity from Congleton and a family business from Nantwich.

Guests were welcomed to the event, at the Chester Business School in Queen’s Park, by the University’s vice-chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Nicholas Wainwright MBE, DL, chairman of jewellery retailer Boodles.

Professor Simmons said: “These awards very much align with our aspirations for the University, its students and communities. One of the key themes of our Citizen Student Strategy is building social capital.

"For us, this means finding new and creative ways to ‘open doors’ for our students. We want to ensure that our students and graduates have the connections they need to create and seize opportunities for their personal, academic and career development.

“Enabling our students to define their development in this way means that ‘success’ emerges as a much more meaningful picture than academic achievement alone. All of the businesses involved contribute to this, and it’s so important to recognise and celebrate that.”

High Sheriff of Cheshire Jeannie France-Hayhurst thanked the University of Chester, Nicholas Wainwright, sponsors, judges and everyone who put together this cross-county competition.

Celebrating Cheshire’s manufacturing, marketing and design prowess, she said: “We are very much part of the Northern Powerhouse - always have been - and you are all part of it.

“Harness your dreams, take the best advice you can, join networks, find loyal backers, work hard and who knows how high you will fly.

“Then come back with your success stories to inspire others and pave the paths of the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

The awards, now in their 16th year, are held in partnership with the University of Chester.

They celebrate the initiative, innovation and impact of the region’s organisations – and the people behind them – and have established a reputation as the premier business awards for Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.

The winners were:

The High Sheriff’s Award for Excellence in Enterprise, sponsored by the University of Chester, was presented to Bio & Me, based in Chester, which makes ‘gut-loving’ prebiotic granola.

CEO Jon Walsh said: “We were so proud to win a High Sheriff Award for the second year in a row. All thanks to the hard work of the team based here in Chester, spreading the word about gut-loving goodness!”

The runner-up was p3od with bases in Congleton, Birmingham and London.

High Sheriff’s Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, sponsored by Encirc, was presented to Crewe-based Motherwell Cheshire, a service provided by women for women, promoting positive health and wellbeing.

Founder Kate Blakemore said: “We are really proud to have received the award for Community Engagement. Sitting at the heart of the community is one of our charity’s values and this award shows to us that the work that we do is recognised in our local community.”

The runner-up was Passion for Learning, based in Ellesmere Port, a charity supporting schoolchildren to fulfil their potential.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Best Sustainable Practice, sponsored by EA Technology, was presented to Fish & Chips @ Weston Grove, Upton, Chester, an independent, family run business providing responsibly sourced traditional fish and chips.

Owner Josette Foster said: “As a small family business we are absolutely delighted to be recognised for the steps we have taken on our sustainability journey. This wouldn’t be possible without the passion of our team, the support of our suppliers, amazing customers and the local community.”

The runner up was Impact Monitor Ltd, from Chester, whose ‘scan and search’ apps offer access to sustainability information on thousands of supermarket products and companies.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Digital Innovation, was awarded to Motrac Research Engineering Ltd, based at Thornton Science Park, unlocking innovative solutions through engineering and research.

The runner up was Spiro Control Ltd, also of Thornton Science Park, providing digital technology for industrial sustainability and optimisation.

The High Sheriff’s Survive and Thrive Award for Charities was presented to Ruby’s Fund from Congleton, who support families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Founder Alison Parr said: “I was honoured to receive this award on behalf of the team at Ruby's Fund. It means so much to us all to be recognised for the hard work and dedication in supporting the children and families who access our charity.”

The runner up was Macclesfield based The Rossendale Trust, which provides Supported Living care to adults with learning and physical disabilities.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Exceptional Start-Up, sponsored by Warrington Borough Council, was presented to 10:10 Games Ltd, a videogame developer from Warrington.

The runner-up was Warrington based content marketing agency real5 Digital.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Outstanding Family Business was presented to The Nantwich Clinic, which offers all aspects of health and wellness, including general and cosmetic podiatry, body treatments and nutrition and health.

Director Gill Fox said: “We feel very proud to have won the High Sheriff’s Award for Outstanding Family Business. We have a fantastic team and it’s wonderful to have the work that we all do recognised.”

The runner-up was Best Friends Day Nursery from Hoole in Chester.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Barlows, was Tia Williams, from Hayrack Farm in Thornton-le-Moors. The runner-up was Joseph Worthington of Northwich based digital agency Authenticity Digital.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Young Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Mornflake, was presented to Tolulope Arobieke of independent lettings agency Yourgaff.

Tolulope said: “This amazing recognition couldn’t have been possible without the support from my incredible friends, family, colleagues, mentors and everyone who has been part of my journey so far.”

The runner-up was Joe Onions of executive search and leadership development specialist Sherrington Associates, of Chester.

The High Sheriff’s Award for Outstanding Cheshire and Warrington Business Leader, sponsored by Handelsbanken, was presented to Jamie Christon of Chester Zoo.

"I was delighted to pick up the award for Outstanding Business Leader, Cheshire and Warrington. Representing a conservation zoo like Chester and supporting the county and region as a visitor attraction as well as a major conservation education charity makes me very proud. I couldn’t do it without the amazing team at our home in Chester and everyone we work with around the world.”

The runner up was Sam Westgate of Daresbury-based Perfectus Biomed.

The winners were decided by a panel of judges made up of senior members of the business community. All the shortlisted finalists were invited to the Awards evening.

The evening concluded with thanks from Lady Alexis Redmond MBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.