Welcome to the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards.
This Year’s Host
Alex Horne & The Horne Section
Since 2018, All Things Business has been celebrating the very best of the county’s business community through the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards.
Over the years it has grown into the biggest date on the awards calendar, bringing finalists, guests, supporters and sponsors together to recognise the talent, entrepreneurship, innovation and sheer hard work that goes into making our business community so special.
All Things Business holds an Outstanding rating from the Awards Trust Mark Scheme, which was established with the aim of encouraging more award programmes to focus on their own ethics and transparency. The scheme scrutinises everything from criteria, scoring, feedback, transparency and judging.
This means that all entries are scored against set criteria and marked through a bespoke software-based scoring system before finalists are selected. The finalists will then be considered by the independent judges to choose a winner.
There are 14 categories to choose from, so there’s guaranteed to be something worth entering for every business, large or small, and every team or individual.
Previous Winners
Rachel Mallows MBE DL
Outstanding Contribution to Northamptonshire Award
Over 30 years ago, Rachel started a business offering support, training, and consultancy services. Her dedication to business, entrepreneurship, charities, and initiatives, especially in the food and drink sector, has made a significant impact on many lives.
Staysure
BIG Business of the Year
Staysure has shown great diversification and innovation and has been very proactive, investing a lot of time and effort into developing their employees and into supporting the Northamptonshire community. They have enjoyed incredible success and achievement and believe that the key to that is a motivated and valued workforce.
Mannol
Business of the Year
With an incredibly impressive leader, this business has proven to be ahead of the competition. As well as outstanding financials, this business has shown itself to be dedicated to its employees, customers and the local community. Key business decisions have been taken that have proven to be beneficial to the company’s success.
iOTA Interiors
Sustainability Award
iOTA Interiors has proven that they really benefit the environment. Their work is incredibly hands on and is very original, creative, and innovative. They have shown a real commitment and dedication to ensuring a more sustainable future.
Jevgenij Lyzko
Businessman of the Year
The competition for this award was very strong but the judges were extremely impressed by Jevgenij, who has shown that determination and drive can make anything possible. His entrepreneurial skills, abilities, influences and achievements are outstanding.
Rachel Rowley
Businesswoman of the Year
Once again, the judges were blown away by the high standard of this year’s finalists and want to congratulate you all. But Rachel Rowley, who had the evidence to prove she is very willing and very determined, stood out. The judges are looking forward to seeing what she does next.
KRW Accountants
Accountancy Firm of the Year
KRW Accountants has shown it offers a broad range of services. The team are dedicated and are constantly looking for new concepts to evolve the business and stand out above the competition. They demonstrate a passion for taking responsibility and educating the younger generations. Overall, they have a different but innovative approach that has proven to be very successful.
Saffron
Food & Drink Award
Saffron is a restaurant with a touch of class. The team there has demonstrated a passion for food and service in multiple ways, as well as readily taking on feedback to consistently improve the dining experience for their customers.
Howes Percival LLP
Legal Firm of the Year
The judges were very impressed by the figures displayed to them by Howes Percival and how their claims were backed up with strong evidence. They have shown their dedication to creating a good culture and environment for their staff and the importance of using constructive feedback to always improve. With a personal approach, they were the outstanding winners of this award.
Moore
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Moore has proved that they are ahead of their competition. They have shown that clear and measurable objectives were both set and achieved. Their campaign is original and has shown real initiative for making an impact on their audience.
Hireful
Employer of the Year
Hireful has created an outstanding workplace with a set of values that has led to a committed, effective and motivated workforce. They has proven that they put their employees at the forefront of everything they do.
The Green Patch
Community Project or Person of the Year
The judges found this category incredibly humbling and were in awe of the work that continues to take place within Northamptonshire. But they could only choose one winner, and that was The Green Patch, who showed how they were dedicated to building and serving the community to the fullest. They have made a remarkable impact within society.
Vulcan Works
Innovation Award
The judges were blown away by what Vulcan Works has done to support both local businesses and the community. They have fostered innovation and at the same time proven they are very good at what they do.
78 Derngate
Land & Development Award
This category is full of exciting projects that have all benefited Northamptonshire, something for which the judges wanted to thank all the finalists. 78 Derngate has shown clear consideration for the Northamptonshire community, economy and environment and delivered an extremely impressive and exciting outcome.
Hunsbury Homes
New Business of the Year
Hunsbury Homes stood out and exceeded the criteria for this award. They have shown incredible growth and development over a short period of time. They have proved that they have entrepreneurial energy and know what it takes to get a successful business off the ground.
Abi Almond
Apprentice of the Year
The judges were very impressed by the brilliant finalists in this category and found it very difficult to decide, but Abi has shown, through exceptional results, that she is consistent, dedicated and is very knowledgeable in her industry. She has excelled and is a very impressive individual.
Courtney Lawes
Northamptonshire ICON Award
Introducing Saints legend Courtney Lawes, host Rob Beckett told the audience how this inaugural Icon Award celebrates someone who is known for his dedication to his sport and his inspirational leadership. As he hangs up his international boots he leaves an incredible legacy.
“A wonderful evening in the company of so many inspirational people in Northamptonshire”
“It was absolutely nothing like anything else we have been to. The atmosphere was electric, there was a real buzz in the room.”
“All Things Business Northamptonshire continue to put businesses at the fore! The Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards was spectacular, an evening where businesses making a difference were recognised, celebrated and championed. Proud to have been a part of it!”
“The team at All Things Business are absolutely amazing and so so lovely. The Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards and Northamptonshire Education Awards that they hold are always such a good night. The quality of the evenings show how hardworking the team are and how much thought and effort is put into everything they do.”
“The recent Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards programme was PHENOMENAL. To create such a buzz on the run up and to put on the highest calibre of business event in ‘normal’ times is no mean feat. Thank you for all that you do!”
“An extremely enjoyable evening that was very well organised and befitting of the excellent local talent and businesses in the Northamptonshire community.”
Previous Hosts
Jimmy
Carr
2018
Stephen K
Amos
2019
Ben
Thomas
2020
Sir Trevor
McDonald
2021
Paddy
McGuinness
2022
Rob
Beckett
2023
Award Categories
Apprentice of the Year – Moulton College
This award recognises apprentices who have made a real difference to their workplace. Entrants must demonstrate outstanding commitment to their professional development. They will have gone above and beyond their normal duties by taking on extra responsibilities.
Innovation Award – Mannol UK
This award will recognise a business that has demonstrated originality and creativity in implementing change. A business that has been innovative in making a significant contribution to its industry through the introduction or improvement of an idea, method, technology, process or application. An innovation that has made a difference to society with clear examples of how the innovation has had an impact.
Land & Development Award – Moore
For this award we are looking for a project that has had a significant impact on the Northamptonshire landscape, community or economy, and where consideration for the environment and innovative thinking have combined to have a positive impact. The project has demonstrated long-term sustainability and provided an extremely impressive outcome for the purpose intended.
Legal Firm of the Year – Bechtle
For this award we are looking for a legal practice that can provide examples of how the organisation has innovated to stay ahead of the competition, and demonstrated new ideas and concepts to evolve the business to address current client requirements. We are looking for a firm that has clearly demonstrated a good culture and environment for its staff.
Accountancy Firm of the Year – Franklins Solicitors LLP
For this award we are looking for an accountancy practice that can provide examples of how the organisation has innovated to stay ahead of the competition, and demonstrated new ideas and concepts to evolve the business to address current client requirements. We are looking for a firm that has clearly demonstrated a good culture and environment for its staff.
Community Project or Person of the Year – O’Riordan Bond
For this award we are looking for a person or project that has had a remarkable impact on the Northamptonshire community. The person or project will have demonstrated clear devotion and or dedication to helping others or to serving the community.
Sustainability Award – Medigold Health
This award recognises any projects, innovations or actions that have improved the sustainability of a business for the benefit of the environment as a whole. Entrants must demonstrate what they have done to improve their own carbon footprint and encourage customers or clients to do the same. The winner will have shown a commitment to ensuring a more sustainable future.
Employer of the Year – The Grosvenor Group
This award will recognise employers that have created an outstanding workplace based on a set of values that has led to a committed, effective and motivated workforce. The judges would like to hear about what sets you apart and how that has benefited the business and its people.
Employee of the Year – Reed
For this award we are looking for someone who has delivered excellent results, exceeded expectations or who is simply an invaluable member of any team.
Nominations can come from any sector and any level of an organisation, and will simply be someone who everyone agrees is a vital cog in the smooth running of a business.
Businessman of the Year – More Recruitment Group
This award will be presented to a businessman who has had a positive impact on a business. They will have shown how they have exceptional drive to succeed and have been integral to making the business or businesses a success. The winner will have made a major contribution to the financial success and performance of an organisation. The panel of judges will assess their different skills, abilities, influences and achievements.
Businesswoman of the Year – DFA Law
This award will be presented to a businesswoman who has had a positive impact on a business. They will have shown how they have exceptional drive to succeed and have been integral to making the business or businesses a success. The winner will have made a major contribution to the financial success and performance of an organisation. The panel of judges will assess their different skills, abilities, influences and achievements.
Venue of the Year – J Sweeney Accountants
For this award we are looking for a venue that can demonstrate evidence of why they stand out from the competition. We’re looking for examples, with evidence, of how this venue is innovating in its sector and can demonstrate success, whether that’s through its food offering, guest accommodation, events or conference spaces, visitor attractions, fitness suites or other added value services.
Business of the Year – HR Solutions
Outstanding products coupled with great people, innovative marketing and customer service to be proud of are the kind of strengths we are looking for. Impressive financials to prove that your business plan is working are also key. This award will be given to an outstanding business employing fewer than 250 people.
BIG Business of the Year – MHA
Outstanding products coupled with great people, innovative marketing and customer service to be proud of are the kind of strengths we are looking for. Impressive financials to prove that your business plan is working are also key. This award will be given to an outstanding business employing more than 250 people or with a turnover in excess of £20m.
The Independent Judges
Nick Hewer
Star of TV’s The Apprentice Nick Hewer has once again agreed to head up the judging panel for this year’s Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards. Nick’s PR company first represented Amstrad in the 1980s, and Nick built a long working relationship and friendship with Alan Sugar, who eventually asked him to sit alongside him on The Apprentice.
Claire Harvey, Managing Director – UK Network, Reed
Claire has over 25 years of experience in the recruitment industry working for two major recruitment companies. Originating as a finance recruiter herself, she employed the skills learnt in her early years and went on to develop high-billing, motivated teams to great success. From there, with experience and drive, she has worked her way up to Managing Director of Reed’s UK Network, a business consisting of 14 different industry specialisms across 100 locations in the UK.
Her passions include developing teams as a coach and a mentor and championing Reed’s Women in Leadership programme. Claire is a qualified NLP practitioner; and takes pride in her strong leadership skills and her ability to inspire, motivate and drive a highly commercial and fast-paced business.
Rachel Mallows DL MBE
Rachel has been delivering training, coaching, mentoring and business support through The Mallows Company for more than 30 years. She is also Director of the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, Made In Northamptonshire and the Positive Pathway Alliance, and is Chair of Trustees at The Daylight Centre in Wellingborough.
Rachel is also Chair of the SEMLEP Food and Drink Sector Strategy Board, which aims to ensure local voices are heard at regional and national level.
She was awarded an MBE for services to Business and Entrepreneurship in HM Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday Honours List in 2016.
See the Judging Process CLICK HERE
2023 Awards Gallery
