The Chamber News
Annual Business Awards – 23rd March 2018
The East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards evening took place on 23rd March at De Vere Cranage Estate. Over 280 nominees, chamber members and guests attended what was once again a spectacular evening.
Following a sparkling drinks reception and welcome by the Chamber Chief Executive, David Watson, a three course fine dining dinner was served in Stephenson Suite of the hotel.
Dinner was followed by the awards presentation and this year winners not only received a trophy and certificate stating their success, but also a bottle of Cloud Side Gin that was launched on the very same day. Cloud Side Gin is a product of North West Spirits Ltd, a new Congleton company, and has been developed by local entrepreneur Chris Carsons.
There were new categories in this year’s awards including The Best Digital Marketing Campaign, A Construction award and an award for Business and Education Engagement.
The first of those new awards, Best Digital Marketing Campaign, went to Tinsdills Solicitors and the Construction Award, Sponsored by Bloor Homes, went to Approved Inspectors Ltd. The Business and Education Engagement Award went to Congleton based Franklyn Financial Management. Andrew Chatterton of Franklyn Financial Management also presented the award for Business Of The Year with under 20 employees which went to TMC Creative who are also based on John Bradshaw Court in Congleton.
The Training Award, sponsored by Total People, was won by the hosts of the evening De Vere Cranage Estate, and the New Business of the Year Award was won by Nova Commercial Finance who are based in Macclesfield. Kevin Cook of Business Doctors presented the award for Employee of the Year which went Annie Ashton of Macclesfield College. Rhino Safety, who are a Sandbach based business won the Contribution to the Community Award and the Award for Excellence in Customer Service was won by Deaville & Co of Congleton.
The International Trade award was won by one of Congleton’s major employers, Senior Aerospace Bird bellows who were presented with the award by Helen Gowin of SAS Daniels.
The Employer Award went to Life & Soul and DV8, who, being known to so many of the attendees from Congleton, proved to be very popular winners.
Burns Garages of Congleton were presented with a Special Achievement Award to mark their one hundred years of being in business. The award was presented to Robert Burns by the Chamber Chief Executive, David Watson.
Having been presented with his award, Robert Burns presented The Professional Services Award to Congleton based accountants Hammond McNulty.
The last award to be presented was the Business of The Year with over twenty employees and this went Reliance Medical. The award was received by Andy Pear, Managing Director and members of his team.
After the awards presentation there was an auction and raffle in aid of Kidneys For Life, The Chambers Charity Of The Year, which raised £4,610 making a grand total of £9,000 raised in 2017/2018.
After all of this Ruby’s Fund were announced as the Charity of the Year for 2018/19. This decision was arrived at following a vote by members of the East Cheshire Chamber.
Celebrations and dancing went on into the small hours and many of the guests attempted show off their driving skills driving a Formula One racing car simulator provided by Blue Spot Computers.
