North West Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023

The twelve most inspiring North West small businesses will now go forward to May’s national UK final in Birmingham.

The most inspiring businesses in the North West have today (Friday, 3 March) been named as winners at the Federation of Small Business’s North West Celebrating Small Businesses 2023, which took place at The Edwardian Hotel, Manchester.

Chosen from dozens of finalists and out of hundreds of entrants overall, the winners were revealed by awards host, television and radio presenter Andy Crane. They will now have the chance to be crowned UK Small Business of the Year at the national final in Birmingham.

The winners include four businesses from Cheshire: there were celebrations again for Congleton-based Thermark, which won Exporter of the Year for the second year running after being voted top international business in 2022.

In addition, the Weston Biltong Company Ltd was named Family Business of the Year, Self Employed / Freelancer of the Year is Chris Garland Training, Knutsford, and Chester’s Innovative Energy Consultants bagged the Sustainability Award.

FSB North West Regional Chair, Holly Bonfield, said: “Many congratulations to the winners of this year’s FSB North West Celebrating Small Business Awards. They are the heartbeat of our economy and deserved to be championed at today’s celebrations in Manchester.

“There was such a strong field of amazing entrants so all the finalists and everyone who entered deserve the utmost recognition as leaders of innovation, tenacity and vibrancy that characterises our small business community.”

Paul Wareham, North West Policy Representative, said: “FSB works hard, locally as well as nationally, supporting our members and representing small businesses at every level of government. I salute them and it’s a pleasure to be able to recognise and applaud their achievements.

“It’s been thrilling to see so many North West businesses enthusiastically take part in our awards and the sheer scale and diversity of those who entered is a testimony to the vitality of the small business community. Best of luck to all our winners for the UK national award finals in May.”

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards celebrate the best small businesses from the length and breadth of the country, offering national recognition for those who have made the biggest impression over the past 12 months. Twelve area awards finals take place between February and April, with the UK finals taking place at a VIP attended awards ceremony on Thursday, 18 May in Birmingham.

List of FSB North West Celebrating Small Business Award winners 2023 is:

• Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Aldermore)

Winner: The Weston Biltong Company Ltd, Weston, Cheshire.

During a family holiday to visit parents in South Africa in 2008 Sheryl and Ryan Walker fell in love with Biltong. On their return and having eaten their reserves the commenced their own business and The Weston Biltong Company was born. In 2021 they also launched ‘The Cheshire Biltong Company’ which specialises in exotic Biltong including Zebra, 3 of 3 Kangaroo, Ostrich & Venison and have seen tremendous success.

• Sustainability Award (sponsored by HSBC UK)

Winner: Innovative Energy Consultants, Chester, Cheshire

Founded in 2021, IEC’s mission is to help businesses grow sustainably. They do this by providing Energy & Sustainability consulting services to businesses across the UK and by supporting Clean Tech start-ups across Europe and North America commercialise their innovation. IEC’s Sustainability Consulting helps businesses quantify and understand their carbon footprint and identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact. IEC has provided Growth Consulting to start-ups in industries ranging from smart buildings to induction heating to carbon sequestration. They act as a bridge between Clean-Tech technology providers and end-users to implement innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of business.

• Self-employed / Freelancer of the Year

Winner: Chris Garland Training, Knutsford, Cheshire.

Chris Garland Training is a multi-award winning medical and safety training partner to a wide variety of organisations including FSTE 100 companies, schools, Government organisations, charities, independent shops and individuals UK wide. They offer over 150 courses ranging from first aid to pre-hospital care, fire and evacuation to mental health, health and safety to food safety. They also develop and deliver bespoke courses for clients with specific training requirements and offer private course booking options too.

• Exporter of the Year

Winner: Thermmark Ltd, Congleton, Cheshire.

Thermmark Ltd is a manufacturer, distributor, installer and exporter of markings worldwide. Set up in 2014, it has evolved substantially over the past eight years and they are now proud to have a diverse workforce of 29 employees split over production, assembly & packing, sales, design, marketing, accounts and installation coordination. They manufacture their Thermoplastic material in house so that they can control all aspects of the process and the quality of product which customers receive. They supply playground and road markings to both trade and end users, who also have the option of installation via subcontracted installers.

About FSB
As experts in business, FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services, including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in Government. Its aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. More information is available at: 

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Pictured - FSB Awards in Manchester.