Businesses large and small joined together to recognise excellence and celebrate success on Friday 7th June, with 500 local business leaders and talented employees coming together for the fourteenth Halton Business Awards Gala Dinner. This sell out event was held at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes and hosted by Dave Guest, former BBC North West journalist, with new main sponsor Direct Security Solutions.
This year’s event saw Halton Chamber Patron, James Timpson, Chief Executive of the Timpson Group, set the scene making an appearance by video and highlighting how important awards events are in recognising and promoting great business practice. Mr. Timpson said that he is looking forward to joining everyone at this year’s Festive 1stuesday Networking Lunch on Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
On the night, Bells Healthcare, manufacturers of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, were big winners receiving the ultimate accolade ‘Halton’s Outstanding Business of the Year 2024’. They also took home the award for ‘Exporter of the Year’.
Graham Crews, Export Sales Manager at Bells Healthcare said:
“Bell’s Healthcare is very commitment to innovation, growth and having a positive impact on the region so we were thrilled to have been recognised for our significant export sales and global reach and even more delighted to be this year’s ‘Outstanding Business of the Year’. It was a complete surprise and very unexpected.”
Other winers included Nightstop Communities North-West CIC (NCNW), who won the ‘Commitment to the Community Award’ sponsored by Redrow and Carol Smith Mortgage Services who took home the ‘Outstanding Customer Service Award’ sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Halton and St Helens VCA sponsored the Social Enterprise Award which went to Halton Haven Hospice and Keney were presented with Manufacturer of Year trophy sponsored by Horizons.
Support at Home was handed the much coveted ‘Employer of the Year’ award, by Leader of Halton Borough Council, Cllr Mike Wharton and category sponsors INEOS Inovyn presented ‘Clean, Green Business of the Year 2024’, to Anthony’s Travel.
AMB Recruitment Group received the Rising Star award, sponsored by Sedulo and Halton Housing sponsored two categories recognising Family Businesses which went to Octave Design Services Limited and Bridgewater Home Care – Halton.
Rachael Owen, Chief Executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce said:
“It’s an honour to once again shine a spotlight on our thriving, local business community. With so many phenomenal examples of innovation, green credentials, great employers, impressive skills, community commitment and best practice there is much to celebrate and it’s all happening right here in Halton.
“A lot of hard work goes into these Awards and it takes a real team effort. Tonight is only possible because of the participation of local businesses, award judges giving their time freely and the generosity of sponsors committed to supporting and promoting incredible achievements across the borough. I’d like to thank everyone that’s made the 2024 Halton Business Awards the biggest yet!”
Eighteen awards were presented in total including two awards recognising innovative businesses, a new category for 2024 sponsored by Sci-Tech Daresbury and STFC. The Small Innovative Business award was presented to Chatty Learning Ltd with the Large Innovative Business going to Millwood Manufacturing.
The contribution of individuals was also rewarded through the Apprentice/Young Person Award, sponsored by Viridor, which went to Ash Cocoran from Halton Housing, as well Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by CD&P Media, which went to Scott Leader, Sustainable Woodchip.
Two awards recognising Start Up businesses, a category which was expanded in recognition of the challenges start-up organisations have faced during and since the pandemic were presented by Business Lodge Widnes to Enturi Ltd and Movement Referrals.
Phil Delmar, Director of Direct Security Solutions, the main sponsor of the Halton Business Awards said:
“As leaders in security, we’re always looking to support and be associated with. success and achievement. We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the largest Halton Business Awards ever. It’s a real celebration of all the excellent work achieved by fellow Halton businesses. We’d like to thank everyone involved in making the night a success and we look forward to celebrating with everyone again next year.”
This year’s Awards also celebrated 50 Years of the Borough of Halton with a specially commissioned, short video premiered on the night and a Special Recognition Award which was presented to the Mayor, Cllr Kevan Wainwright and the Leader of Halton Borough Council, Cllr Mike Wharton.
Cllr Wharton was happy to receive the award on behalf of the whole of Halton Borough Council and expressed his thanks to everyone as it was wonderful to see so many businesses at the awards dinner.
Cllr Wharton went on to explain:
“importantly this is recognition of how the whole of Halton has moved forward over the last fifty years. It’s actually a phenomenal change and I am really pleased.”
The Halton Business Awards is an annual event recognising exceptional performance with organisations and business professionals from across Widnes and Runcorn recognised. With entries across all sectors, these Awards showcase business success and organisational expertise.