The Chamber News
Annual Business Awards 2023
The East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards took place on Friday 17th March 2023 at De Vere Cranage Estate, Holmes Chapel. With over 230 guests including chamber members, sponsors and nominees attending this highly regarded event, it was, once again a magnificent evening.
On arrival, guests were welcomed by Verity Deaville and Waynne Linaker from Deaville & Co, photographs by Adam Schofield of Cheshire Photography Co. and a Champagne Reception, kindly sponsored by hosts for the evening, De Vere Cranage Estate. East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Jackie Randles welcomed all the guests and made a special acknowledgement to all the sponsors. Tim McCloud from TMC Strategic Communications and Peter Bowers from Berisfords Ribbons, alongside Jackie Randles, were the comperes for the evening.
Following an amazing three-course dinner, the highly anticipated Awards Ceremony commenced. All award winners received a glass trophy, certificate and a 4-pack of Beartown Beer kindly donated by Joe Manning from Beartown Brewery. Prism UK extended a kind invitation to the winners of each award to a winner’s dinner which will be held later this Spring.
The first Award of the evening was Start-up Business of the Year, Ben Hyslop from H21 Safety Limited was presented his award by Kevin Cook from Business Doctors Cheshire. Progress towards Carbon Neutrality was the next Award to be presented, Shaun Morton from Prism UK awarded this to Lisa Ball, April Green, and Claire Duncan from East Cheshire Hospice for their astounding work towards becoming net zero.
Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows took the Award for Innovation, Jon Stewart and members of his team were presented this award by Matthew Roberts of Berisfords Ribbons. The Manufacturer of the Year Award was proudly received by Joe Manning and his team at Beartown Brewery, Congleton’s local Brewery. Sarah Hunter from Handelsbanken presented this well-deserved award.
Andrew Chatterton of Franklyn presented the Employer of the Year Award, another strong category for 2023. This was awarded to Kanga Health, a Digital Agency based in Congleton. Charity of the Year was the next Award to be presented, another exceptionally tough category for the judges to decide. Ultimately, there could only be one winner, and it was Visyon that were awarded the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Charity of the Year for 2023/24. Linda and Amy were overwhelmed when receiving their trophy, which was presented by Richard Morrell, General Manager at De Vere Cranage Estate.
Rebecca Medcalf from Tinsdills Solicitors presented the Excellence in Customer Service Award to IronMarket, a Wealth, Risk and Talent Management Agency based in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Stephen Burns was joined by the team on stage to receive their award. Middlewich based, Isotopx who manufacture, supply and export Mass Spectrometers were the worthy winners of the Export & International Trade Award, presented by Dr Jan McCloud of TMC Strategic Communications.
Chair Person of the Board of Directors for East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, Marie Shenton from Hammond McNulty presented HR Download the Small Business of the Year Award. Harts Accountants Limited, Melissa Bowers was next to present a new category for East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce this year, the Family Business of the Year Award was presented to Robert Burns of Burns Garages Ltd, 4th generation.
The final category to be awarded was the Business of the Year Award, the most anticipated category which receives an extremely large number in entries, making it the most difficult category to judge. Hayley Rhodes from Acorn Occupational Health Ltd presented this award to Andrew Chatterton, Managing Director of Franklyn, Charlotte Chatterton, and the team.
The evening concluded with an auction and raffle, raising money for 2022/23 Charity of the Year Smile Group. The generosity around the room was phenomenal, raising a staggering £3956.00 which makes a total of £5300.00 raised in 2022 to 2023.
Celebrations and dancing went on into the small hours.
