Skelmersdale’s UPS Building & Maintenance was crowned a triple-winner at Lancashire Business View’s Red Rose Awards, which returned for its eighth year on Thursday 8 March, 2018.
The awards ceremony honoured the most ambitious, most innovative and most successful businesses in Lancashire, and played out in the transformed space Olympia at Winter Gardens Blackpool, which has never been used for an event of this nature before.
An audience of more than 1,100 business owners, employees and distinguished guests watched on as winners were announced across 25 categories, from Small Business of the Year (Gazegill Organics, Clitheroe) to In-House Training Award (BAE Systems, Samlesbury and Warton) – with an extra special Lancashire Business View trophy for Barnfield Construction of Burnley.
Its delighted chairman and managing director Tim Webber said: “This is absolutely superb, it is an award for the whole team at Barnfield, recognition of their hard work and it is something everyone can be proud of.
“We’re so very passionate about Lancashire. Over the years we’ve worked on projects across the country, but our heart is here.”
UPS Building & Maintenance, which maintains and renovates property with a particular focus on disabled adaptations, took home trophies for Construction Business of the Year, Property Business of the Year and the Customer Service Award.
UPS’ director John Graham revealed it was the first time ever the business had entered any awards. He said: “We’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m so glad we did. What a night, it has been fantastic! I’m delighted for the team.”
Blackburn’s AluFoldDirect won two awards, the Manufacturing Business and Medium Business of the Year, in recognition of its growing importance to the UK’s building trade.
To be crowned best in its category, each business was first selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants. Shortlisted companies were then invited to give in-person presentations to a panel of more than 70 judges made up of sponsors and hand-picked, independent judges.
Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View magazine which hosts the Red Rose Awards, said: “We’re delighted to celebrate another incredible year of business for Lancashire at the Red Rose Awards 2018. The business stories we see and hear through the awards process are inspirational and we’re very proud to share this far and wide with the ceremony and awards campaign.”
In keeping with a theme of celebrating Lancashire, guests were treated to local entertainment from Gravity Live performers plus music from Pancake and Stax of Soul and dined on fine food provided by With a Twist.
Oliver Burton, chief executive of headline sponsor Forbes Solicitors, said: “We’ve supported the Red Rose Awards since it launched in 2011 and were honoured to do so once again in 2018.
“The whole process has been a fantastic experience and the event was once again an amazing night. The awards are a showcase of success for so many Lancashire businesses and the highlight of the calendar.”
John Stanworth, head of corporate banking at headline sponsor Barclays, said: “It is always a privilege to be associated with awards that unashamedly celebrate success within the county. The Red Rose Awards create a positive culture and a buzz within Lancashire and the ceremony was yet again not one to be missed! Congratulations to all winners.”
Full list of winners:
Construction Business Award (sponsored by VEKA)
• UPS Building & Maintenance, Skelmersdale
Corporate Social Responsibility Award (sponsored by Mattioli Woods)
• Winter Gardens Blackpool
Creative Agency Award (sponsored by Peter Scott Printers)
• Single Malt Design, Lancaster
Customer Service Award (sponsored by StoneHouse Logic)
• UPS Building & Maintenance, Skelmersdale
Digital Agency Award (sponsored by Blackpool & The Fylde College)
• Sundown Solutions, Accrington
Ecommerce Business Award (sponsored by Bespoke| Digital Agency)
• Albert Harrison & Co, Padiham
Employer of the Year Award (sponsored by NWEEG)
• VEKA, Burnley
Engineering Business Award (sponsored by Tailor Made Sourcing)
• MGS Technical Plastics, Blackburn
Family Business Award (sponsored by LH Recruitment)
• Trilanco, Wesham
Financial Business Award (sponsored by Rosebud/Mercia Fund Managers)
• True Bearing Chartered Financial Planners, Chorley
Growing Business Award (sponsored by Mayes Accountants)
• CMAC Group, Accrington
Health and Care Business Award (sponsored by Slater + Gordon Lawyers)
• Bespoke Healthcare, Preston
In-house Training Award (sponsored by Themis)
• BAE Systems, Samlesbury
Innovative Business Award (sponsored by Napthens)
• Levity CropScience, Preston
International Achievement Award (sponsored by Cassons)
• Group55, Chorley
Large Business Award (sponsored by Forbes Solicitors)
• CMAC Group, Accrington
Legal Business Award (sponsored by Eventus Legal)
• Farleys Solicitors, Blackburn
Leisure and Tourism Business Award (sponsored by Birchall Foodservice)
• The Fence Gate, Burnley
Manufacturing Business Award (sponsored by Barclays)
• AluFoldDirect, Blackburn
Medium Business Award (sponsored by Bespoke Healthcare)
• AluFoldDirect, Blackburn
New Business Award (sponsored by Business Enterprise Trust)
• S&H Group, Blackburn
Not-for-profit Business Award (sponsored by Recycling Lives)
• Pendleside Hospice, Burnley
Property Business Award (sponsored by Harrison Drury)
• UPS Building & Maintenance, Skelmersdale
Skills Provider Award (sponsored by EPSL Educational Printing)
• Myerscough College & University Centre, Bilsborrow, Preston
Small Business Award (sponsored by Porsche Centre Bolton)
• Gazegill Organics, Clitheroe
Lancashire Business View Award
• Barnfield Construction, Nelson
