The Federation of Small Businesses’ Celebrating Small Business Awards Yorkshire and The Humber Area finals recognised the region’s finest small businesses for their endeavours.
The FSB’s Awards, now in their second year, saw businesses from across the region battle it out for honours in eleven categories, which included Business & Product Innovation, Micro Business of the Year, and Family Business of the Year.
The eventual winners, whose entries had dazzled judges, were announced during an afternoon event at The Principal Hotel in York on Friday 1 March.
Winners now go through to the FSB’s UK National Finals to be held in London this May, where they will go head-to-head with other regional finalists from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The 2019 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards Yorkshire and The Humber winners are :
- International Business of the Year – Quality Bearings Online. This multi- award-winning exporter distributes bearings and engineering spares around the world from their Leeds base.
- Ethical-Green Business – Rosewood Farm. York-based Robert Rose’s farm provides a range of healthy, organic food putting substance before style.
- Business & Product Innovation Award – The Elite Wax Group. Young Entrepreneur Natalie Sanderson’s Rotherham-based business goes from strength to strength moving from being a pure service provider to offering training and a product range.
- Micro Business of the Year – Kemp’s General Store. There is nothing general about this Malton retailer who have gained a reputation for sourcing unique and fabulous gift options.
- Start-Up Business of the Year – Frontier Modular Services Ltd. After 13 years honing his skills in the modular building installation industry, Richard Pooley took a major leap of faith in December 2017 and launched his own business at the age of 29.
- Scale-Up Business of the Year – Allegro Optical. Holmfirth-headquartered Allegro Optical started from humble beginnings in owner Sheryl Doe’s spare room, but now the business now attracts musician clients from all over the world and employ a team of 14 across two practices.
- Family Business of the Year – Fusco’s of Whitby. Fusco’s is the family-owned, multi-award-winning business behind some of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay’s leading fish and chips restaurants and take-aways.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Jonathan Langley & Peter Waugh, Torchbearer. Torchbearer was established out of The University of Huddersfield where the two Directors honed their software development skills.
- Employer of the Year – Sunbeams Day Nursery. This Leeds-based Nursery-chain’s commitment to excellence has been recognised by OFSTED and they now employ and help to develop over 80 employees.
- Community Business of the Year Award – Roundabout. This Sheffield-based organisation plays a major role in assisting young people experiencing homelessness through providing shelter, support and life skills.
- Digital Innovation Award – ShopAppy Ltd. This digital pioneering Shipley business helps people to shop with their local small businesses through a website and app and has developed click and collect support to complement direct purchasing.
Simon Williams, FSB Yorkshire, The Humber and North East England Regional Chairman, said: “We congratulate all today’s finalists on their excellent year in business in a competitive range of categories. Our winners now go on to the finals in London where we hope to see their successes recognised on the national stage. We are sure they will do us proud.”
