Awards finalists unveiled

John Thomson - awards host

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THE names of finalists and the celebrity compere for this year’s Oldham Business Awards have been unveiled.

Businesses shortlisted across 11 award categories were invited to a reception at the offices of Derker-based Innovative Technology, organised by the Oldham Business Awards steering group. Guest finalists had the opportunity to discover who the other finalists are in their award categories, and to meet sponsors and judges.

Actor and comedian John Thomson will host this year’s awards at Oldham’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in May.

The reception was opened by Martyn Torr - former business editor of the Oldham Chronicle, now with oldham-based events company New Image.

He said: “We want to thank all the finalists for entering and for reaching the short-list, which is a great achievement in itself. We want you to meet each other, meet the sponsor and judges, and make new friends.”

Aidan Towey, managing director of Innovative Technology, said: “We have been involved in the Oldham Business Awards practically from the beginning, and after eight years we are still supporters.

“In the past, Oldham has suffered some bad press, so it is important to celebrate the good things here and to help businesses grow. There are some fantastic businesses here and we are very proud to support the awards.”

Awards chairman Steve Kilroy, said: “We have had record numbers of entries this year. This is the first time we have held a reception for finalists. We want smaller businesses to see what else is happening in the borough and sponsors to meet individual businesses before the ceremony in May. Ultimately we want the local economy to become stronger.”

He added: “Over the past eight years, the Oldham Business Awards have brought together thousands of businesses and shared many successes. The awards have also raised over £30,000 for charities, which is an important part of what we do. Looking ahead, we are trying to make the event bigger and better.”

Accountancy firm KPMG and Joseph Parr (Alco) Ltd are new sponsors this year, alongside Innovative Technology, Oldham College, NatWest, MID Communications, Seftons Accountants, Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisors, Unity Partnership, Business Growth Hub and First Choice Homes.



Awards SHORTLIST

Business of the Year (above £10 million turnover): Zen Office, MID Communications and Ribble Packaging.

Business of the Year (£5 million-£10 million): Ryder & Dutton, George Hill Timber and Joseph Parr (Alco).

Business of the Year (£1 million to £5 million): Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd, Gemini UPVC and Fineline interiors.

Business of the year (under £1 milion): EC Creative, Breakey & Nuttall and Independent Workwear Solutions

Business Person of the Year: Geoff Clarke, Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) Ltd; Richard Eastwood of Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisors; and Razak Ahmed of PSP Oldham Ltd.

Employer of the Year: Gemini UPVC, Fineline and FAB Group.

Start-up Business: Jack’s Smokehouse, Beyond Beauty and Morgan Pearson.

Young Business of the Year: DBX Acoustics, Matt Hoyle Personal Training and Cycle Tech.

Young Entrepreneur: Daniel Arundell, Rebecca Jackson and Arif Mohid of Aim High Enterprise

Supporting Young People: Unity Partnership, Capita Translating and Interpreting, and Aspect Fire Solutions.

Community Engagement: Fayaz Aslam of Cafe Lahore, Ansar Ali of DSGN UK and Mick Harwood of Suits, Scoots and Boots

Special Recognition Award: To be announced at the 2016 Oldham Business Award ceremony in May.