Some of the leading businesses from Blackburn and Darwen were honoured at the 10th Hive Awards.
The annual event returned to King George’s Hall on Friday where the contributions of businesses both small and large from across the borough were celebrated.
Opening the event Ian Brown, chair of the Hive Ambassadors Network, the business group for Blackburn with Darwen, commended the local business community for their efforts in helping to revitalise their towns.
He said: “It was an incredible night, with some fantastic organisations in the running for an award.
"The atmosphere and support for each other in the room was phenomenal; and I know I speak on behalf of the judges when I say that the high standard of business and passion shown by all the finalists had never been greater.
“It was our 10th anniversary year and the awards event just seems to get better and better.
"Everyone who was both a finalist and a winner should be rightly proud of the what they’ve achieved for both their company but also the positive impact they’d had on the Blackburn with Darwen area.”
There were big wins on the night for Star Tissue UK who claimed the Manufacturing Excellence Award, whilst the WEC Group won the Large Business of the Year.
Elektec won both the Commitment to Blackburn with Darwen and the Family Business of the Year awards.
The Hippo Motor Group also celebrated a triple win with Crystal Elwell named Rising Star of the Year. Employee of the Year going to Alistair Eddleston, and Tom Preston being named Entrepreneur of the Year.
KeyFleet were named SME Small Business of the Year.
Star Tissue UK won the Manufacturing Excellence Award
The Hive Chairman's Award went to Blackburn Rovers Ladies Football Club and The Arte Et Labore Award was presented to Ram Gupta of Nybble.
The event was hosted by Bauer Radio’s Trevor Jordan and culminated with entertainment from sensational singer, Miranda Myles from Blackburn.
Landfill Projects were Environmental Business of the Year
Ian added: “The winners really showcase the best of Blackburn with Darwen and how organisations can prosper but also use that success to benefit the region, which is what both the awards and our ethos as the Hive Business Network is all about.
“I’d also like to give special thanks to our sponsors this year including headline sponsors Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn College; drink sponsors Barnfield Construction; and category sponsors, Star Tissue, Eric Wright Group, KRPR, PM+M, Pierce Business Advisory and Accountancy Group, Lancashire Life and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
"It’s the support of these sponsors which helps us really make these awards a success.”
The full list of Hive Awards 2022 winners is:
Family Business of the Year - Elektec
SME Business of the Year - KeyFleet
Rising Star of the Year Crystal Elwell – Hippo Motor Group
Employee of the Year - Alistair Eddleston – Hippo Motor Group
Entrepreneur of the Year - Tom Preston – Hippo Motor Group
Crystal and Alistair from Hippo Motor Group (above left) and APM Design
Micro Business of the Year - Delilah Chloe
New Business of the Year - Fruity Llama
Growth Business of the Year - Fresh Perspective Resourcing
Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year - PT Health Coaching
Manufacturing Excellence Award – Star Tissue
Commitment to Blackburn with Darwen - Elektec
Ainsworth Jewellers were Retail Business of the Year and KeyFleet SME Business of the Year
Investment in Skills – WEC Group
Best Creative & Digital Business – APM Design
Retail Business of the Year – Ainsworth Jewellers
Environmental Business of the Year – Landfill Projects
Catering and Hospitality Business of the Year - The Wellbeing Farm
Large Business of the Year – WEC Group
(Above) The WEC Group, Multevo and Fresh Perspective Resourcing
Tom Preston of the Hippo Motor Group and Elektec
The Hive Chairman's Award - Blackburn Rovers Ladies Football Club (above)
The Arte Et Labore Award – Ram Gupta (below centre), Nybble
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