One Oldham Business Awards 2016

Photo: Tim Bradley

Dale Wood and Rachel Bland from Unity Partnership, Paul Griffiths of Gemini UPVC, James Ebden and Vicky Hindle of Ryder & Dutton; Bruce Davie of Zen Office, Wasim Aslam from Café Lahore, Steve Lowe and Ben Crowther of EC Creative. Front group includes Geoff Clarke, Amanda Worsley and Steph Townsend of Tunnel Engineering Services (UK), Gillian and Carl Taylor of Jack's Smokehouse; Susan Witterick of DBX Accoustics, Mayor of Oldham Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman

THE 2016 Oldham Business Awards have once again been hailed a great success, with 450 guests from over 60 firms and organisations enjoying the annual celebration night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

All sizes and sectors of businesses from the law and property, financial and professional services, to engineering, construction supplies, restaurants, retail, health and beauty.

And manufacturing’s profile was raised with an outstanding double for Derker-based Tunnel Engineering Services (UK) - which entered the awards for the first time in 2016 and took both the Business of the Year title in £1m-£5m turnover category, and scored a personal triumph for managing director Geoff Clarke - pictured above with award sponsor Dale Wood of Unity Partnership (left) and host John Thomson - who was named Business Person of the Year.

Youngsters from Mahdlo Youth Zone opened proceedings with a drama-dance performance through the hall, carrying banners showing locations across the borough.

The business of the evening then began as the stage’s big screen showed impressive video footage of Oldham, filmed by drone.

The camera flew over the various offices and sites of sponsor companies before arriving at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The evening was opened by Martyn Torr, former business editor of the Oldham Chronicle, now of New Image - the events firm behind awards night.

Martyn praised the growth of Mahdlo - which has 4,500 youngsters on its roll and runs activities for hundreds of them every week.

He welcomed guests to what he confirmed was the biggest awards celebration in Greater Manchester.

Actor and comedian John Thomson - back on our screens later in the year in a new series of ITV’s Cold Feet - kept the audience laughing as he presented awards and certificates to winners and finalists onstage.

Awards steering group chairman Steve Kilroy thanked sponsors and supporters of the event and highlighted his vision of the event growing even larger in years to come, raising more for charity in the process.

Steve told the gathering he is to step down due to work and family commitments: “We have had eight years of awards, with 11 or 12 winners every year,” he said. “I take pride in seeing how businesses have grown, and hearing many stories of successes has made it all worthwhile.”

A Special Recognition Award went to retired banker Steve Lowe for his contribution to business, community and education in the borough.

Steve spent much of his career with NatWest and was an Oldham Sixth Form College governor and chair of governors for many years, as well as being active with the Oldham Business Awards, Oldham Sports Awards and Groundwork.

The winners from Friday night’s ceremony have been invited to a special dinner at NatWest’s Spinningfields offices in Manchester.


Money Raised

An important part of the awards night is raising money for local charities. 

This year’s event raised £1,000 more than last year. The raffle and  auction resulted in a £3,750 donation for Mahdlo (up by £750 up on last year) and £1,250 for Dr Kershaw`s (up by £250). Both donations increased by the same rate.

Adam Husband from sponsor NatWest and a member of the organising steering group, said: “Raising an extra £1,000 is a brilliant achievement for this year’s Oldham Business Awards. 

“Our thanks go to everyone who supported us.”




All the finalists (winners in bold)

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 PSP Oldham

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 & Interpreting, and Aspect Fire Solutions

Community Engagement: Wasim Aslam, Cafe Lahore; Ansar Ali, DSGN UK and Mick Harwood, Suits, Scoots & Boots

Special Recognition Award: Steve Lowe.