Outstanding businesses have been recognised at East Midlands Chamber’s Leicestershire Business Awards 2024, which took place at The Venue @ DMU on 8th November.
13 awards across categories such as Community Impact, Excellence in Collaboration and Entrepreneur of the Year were issued at the ceremony hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, accompanied by a three-course dinner with live entertainment.
Considered one of the most important events in the Chamber’s calendar, the Leicestershire Business Awards were the last in a series of three ceremonies held this year in each of the region’s three counties.
Howes Percival won the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by RandalSun Capital, after winning the Commitment to People Development Award earlier in the evening.
Business of the Year is the flagship award, given to a standout winner of any of the award categories during the event. The recipient then goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards in 2025.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Leicestershire is well known for its history of manufacturing, for making, creating and innovating. The county boasts an impressive array of businesses and noteworthy individuals, deserving a bright spotlight shone on them for their achievements and their contribution to growing the county’s economy.
“The Leicestershire Business Awards highlight those that, through resilience, through the overcoming of hurdles and challenges, and by seizing opportunities, drive Leicestershire to thrive, whether through their approach to their people, their customers, or sustainability.
“In addition to showcasing remarkable people and firms, the awards dinner is an ideal environment for the business community to network and build strong connections. I extend my thanks to all those who entered the Leicestershire Business Awards and to the sponsors that made the ceremony such a memorable occasion.”
Howes Percival Partner Satnam Chayra, after winning the Business of the Year Award, sponsored by RandalSun Capital said: “We are passionate about our people, we’re passionate about Leicester. We’re grateful to be recognised. The Leicestershire Business Awards are very important because we need to recognise achievement, promote businesses and work together.”
Howes Percival Head of Business Development Courtney Borthwick said: “We are a people business, and this award really shows the investment the firm’s made and how everyone gets involved in people development, this award is for all our team and we’re so overwhelmed with this win.”
The Outstanding Growth Award, sponsored by Unique Windows, went to Melita POS. Managing Director Daniel Jacques said: “Winning this award is incredible. It really does recognise the work that our team have put in, it’s about the company and the work that people have put in over 20 years, not just the last few years. We’ve had a substantial amount of growth. We put a lot on in the last few years, and we’ve used it as a springboard for the future. We don’t just rest on our laurels; we’re going forward with purpose.”
The Excellence in Customer Service Award, sponsored by ER Recruitment, went to Creative62, who also won the Community Impact Award, sponsored by emh group. Creative62 Managing Director Mark Robinson said: “We can’t do what we do without good customer service, but I think we’ve always taken customer service a bit further. It’s going back and saying ‘so, what have we done? What’s the return for you?’ We’ve done that since the day we started, and we instil it in new team as they come through and that’s why we get the big returns we get for our clients.”
The Business Improvement Award, sponsored by NetMonkeys, went to The Carpenter’s Arms Trust. CEO Richard Spence said: “It was a privilege just to be nominated, but to win this award is fantastic. We’ve been working with rehabilitation and outcomes monitoring, getting people back into work and I think that’s what stood out and led us to win.”
The Excellence in Collaboration Award, sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network, went to HMP Fosse Way and Serco. HMP Fosse Way Prison Employment Lead Shelley Drew said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised. We collaborate with businesses to provide opportunities for men on release, which is really, really important to stop and reduce reoffending, with the overall goal in making sure businesses can fulfil their social values as well.”
East Midlands Chamber Leicestershire Business Awards 2024 Winners:
Business Improvement Through Technology – sponsored by NetMonkeys
WINNER: The Carpenter’s Arms Trust
Community Impact – sponsored by emh group
WINNER: Creative62
Outstanding Growth – sponsored by Unique Windows
WINNER: Melita POS
Excellence in Collaboration – sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network
WINNER: HMP Fosse Way & Serco
Environmental Impact – sponsored by Cambridge & Counties Bank
WINNER: SE-LF
Commitment to People Development – sponsored by De Montfort University
WINNER: Howes Percival
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Loughborough College
WINNER: Jimmy Colver, Caterpillar UK
Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Bradgate Estates
WINNER: Nick Megson, Abacus Flooring Solutions
Education and Business Partnership – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors
WINNER: Loughborough University Careers Network
Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by ER Recruitment
WINNER: Creative62
Excellence in International Trade – sponsored by Your Export Office at East Midlands Chamber
WINNER: Coba Automotive UK
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Generation Next
WINNER: Melita POS
Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by RSM
WINNER: Abacus Flooring Solutions
Business of the Year – sponsored by RandalSun Capital
WINNER: Howes Percival
