Oldham entrepreneurs crowned national winners at FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has awarded its prestigious Community and Expansion and Growth titles to two businesses from the North West in its annual celebration of the UK’s best entrepreneurial talent.

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024, held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, saw awards host and TV personality Tess Daly crown Nightstop Communities North-West CIC from Widnes with the Community Award, while Daly bestowed the Expansion and Growth Award upon Technology Powered Services Ltd from Oldham.

Technology Powered Services Ltd is a trusted infrastructure specialist.

This rapidly growing business is fast becoming one of the leading providers of infrastructure, technology, break fix services, connectivity and sustainability solutions.

The company’s mantra is to connect people and businesses together, optimising performance through expert consultancy, design, install and support services.

Nerys Stead, Director at Technology Powered Services Ltd, said: “We’ve got such a committed team.

"We’re small but we work so cohesively, and this award is down to the dedication of every single person.

"Technology Powered Services was established right before COVID hit, and for a while there was a real struggle.

"At the time our managing director, Andy Hanlon, put everything on the line, however in the last 18 to 24 months the business has become a real success story, with huge growth.

"We’re going to continue to be consistent, innovative, and push boundaries to see what else we can achieve.

“We’re very proud to be given this award by FSB.

"I think it’s vital that FSB is in existence, and it’s phenomenal that it’s been around for 50 years.

"It provides a voice to the self-employed, sole traders, partnerships and small businesses that really needs to be heard.”

The event saw representatives from more than 140 small businesses, plus self-employed professionals, gather from across the UK, with each previously named a regional winner in their respective area.

Other UK winners spanned award categories, including Innovation, Young Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, Family Business, Franchise, Micro Business, Self-Employed / Freelancer, Service Excellence, and Start-up, plus the coveted title of ‘Small Business of the Year’, which was awarded to Edinburgh-based carbon capture innovator, CCU International.

This year’s Celebrating Small Business Awards grand final, delivered in partnership with headline sponsor Tyl by NatWest, was a momentous occasion for FSB, representing a celebration of the UK’s best small businesses and self-employed professionals.

Founded in 1974, FSB has been the leading voice for millions of small businesses and the self-employed community in the UK for half a century.

Martin Mctague, OBE, National Chair of FSB, said: “Congratulations to Technology Powered Services Ltd and Nightstop Communities North-West CIC.

"These businesses prove that through hard work and dedication it’s possible for small businesses, in the toughest of circumstances, to make an outstanding impact.

“Well done, also, to all the finalists from the region who have helped to demonstrate the diversity, creativity and tenacity of small businesses and the self-employed across the whole of the North West.

"It is through supporting small businesses that we’ll have a stronger economy.”

The complete list of UK winners in the 12 categories are:

· Small Business of the Year & Innovation Award – CCU International

· Young Entrepreneur Award – Samantha Cage, Ocala Healthcare

· Sustainability Award – Stubcroft Farm Campsite Ltd

· Expansion & Growth Award – Technology Powered Services Ltd

· Community Award – Nightstop Communities North-West CIC

· Diversity & Inclusion Award – Beyond Green

· Family Business Award – TEKShop

· Franchise Award – Boogie Beat Music and Movement

· Micro Business Award – 9Trees

· Self-Employed / Freelancer Award – Neil Trewick of Trew Surveying Ltd

· Service Excellence Award – Vanlife Conversions Ltd

· Start-up Business Award – HJH Commercial Consultants

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.