Businesses across the county have been recognised for outstanding achievement at East Midlands Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards 2024.
Hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, the Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards took place at Derby County Football Club’s Pride Park Stadium on 25th October.
Awards were presented across 13 categories, which included Outstanding Growth, Commitment to People Development and Excellence in Customer Service, with the ceremony accompanied by a three-course dinner and followed by live entertainment.
One of the most important events in the Chamber’s calendar, the 2024 Derbyshire Business Awards are the first of three ceremonies being held this year, showcasing stand out businesses in each of the region’s three counties.
The Business of the Year Award, supported by The Green Entrepreneur’s Fund funded by Derbyshire County Council, went to Kranlee Logistics, after first winning the Small Business Award.
Business of the Year is a special award, selected from any one of the category winners during the ceremony. The recipient then goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards taking place in 2025.
Nottinghamshire’s Chamber Business Awards are set to take place on 1st November and Leicestershire’s on 8th November.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Derbyshire is fortunate to boast a wealth of businesses of all sizes that continually excel, further underlining the East Midlands as a Centre of Trading Excellence. Whether through innovation, approach to sustainability or superb customer service, the finalists and award winners this year were simply exceptional.
“The Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards bring together organisations from all over the county, across a wide range of sectors. To be able to network and build valuable connections over a three-course dinner, and at the iconic location of Pride Park Stadium made for an unmissable evening.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients whose resilience, creativity and sheer hard work gave them this well-deserved recognition. I thank all those who entered, sponsored or supported the Derbyshire Business Awards and played a part in creating such a memorable evening.”
Kranlee Logistics Co-owner Lee Wells, after winning the Business of the Year Award said: “Winning this will elevate us so much within the industry and within the community. We’ve got loyal customers that support us so much, but this might expose us to a lot more customers.
“We’re all about service, all about personality. There’s the staff we’ve got working for us that that work so hard day-to-day, providing the personal feel that we give to people.”
The Environmental Impact Award, sponsored by Futures Housing Group went to Cosy Direct. Managing Director David Hook said: “We represent over 100 people at the Cosy Direct office who do a fantastic job, really helping with educating children, getting them active outdoors and using natural resources to do that. So it’s a really sustainable business.”
The Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, went to Sarah Illsley at Pentaxia. Sarah said: “To be able to get work experience at the same time as learning is something that’s become bigger and bigger in the last few years and it’s amazing to be a part of it. I’m on my third apprenticeship at the minute and I’d definitely recommend it.”
The University of Derby sponsored the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Vice Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell said: “Entrepreneurs are so important in the economic growth of the UK and we really want to inspire our own graduates, so they will have the chance and the opportunity to take up being an entrepreneur. We’re delighted to have sponsored this category.”
East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards 2024 Winners:
Community Impact award – sponsored by YMCA Derbyshire
WINNNER: AtkinsRéalis
Business Improvement through Technology – sponsored by Purpose Media
WINNER: Global Brands
Outstanding Growth – sponsored by Amazon
WINNER: Longbow Venues
Excellence in International Trade – sponsored by Your Export Office at East Midlands Chamber
WINNER: Valve and Process Solutions
Education and Business Partnership – sponsored by Vertas Group
WINNER: Hardy Signs
Commitment to People Development – sponsored by Derby College
WINNER: Pennine Healthcare
Excellence in Collaboration – sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network
WINNER: Railston & Company
Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Howden
WINNER: Longbow Venues
Environmental Impact – sponsored by Futures Housing Group
WINNER: Cosy Direct
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Generation Next
WINNER: Kranlee Logistics
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Apprenticeships Ambassador Network
WINNER: Sarah Illsley, Pentaxia
Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by University of Derby
WINNER: Ecotech Engineers
Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by Rolls Royce
WINNER: Brilliant Ideas
Business of the Year – supported by The Green Entrepreneur’s Fund funded by Derbyshire County Council
WINNER: Kranlee Logistics
