Proudly presents…

Welcome to the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards.

SEE OUR 2024 WINNERS

This Year’s Host to be announced soon

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.

Our 2024 Winners

Gavin Warren

The David Laing CBE Award

Memento Exclusives

BIG Business of the Year

The NX Group

Business of the Year

Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust

Venue of the Year

Lucienne Shakir

Businesswoman of the Year

Richard Gordon

Businessman of the Year

Taylor Marriott

Employee of the Year

KRW Accountants Ltd

Employer of the Year

See Limited

Sustainability Award

Northamptonshire Sport

Community Project or Person of the Year

CB Tax

Accountancy Firm of the Year

Franklins Solicitors LLP

Legal Firm of the Year

Whilton Mill Karting & Outdoor Activities

Land & Development Award

Acorn Safety Services

Innovation Award

Maddie Humphrey

Apprentice of the Year
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“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

Alex Horne & The Horne Section
2024

Award Categories

Apprentice of the Year – Northampton 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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – DFA Law
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.
Professional Services Award – Bechtle
For this award we are looking for a business 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 business that can provide information on a recruitment and development strategy and has clearly demonstrated a good culture and environment for its staff.
Community Project or Person of the Year – Moore
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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – York Ward & Rowlatt
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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
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 – CE People
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

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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.

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Stuart Branch – MBA Chartered Fellow CIPD

Executive Board Director, Weetabix

Stuart has over 10 years of executive-level experience across various sectors, including hospitality, retail, financial services and manufacturing. His customer-centric and commercially focused approach is well-suited for the fast-paced FMCG industry. Currently, he oversees the organisation and effectiveness of people, systems, technology, culture and performance at The Weetabix Food Company. Stuart is dedicated to making Weetabix a great, safe and effective workplace while being mindful of environmental and community responsibilities.

Before joining Weetabix in 2012, Stuart held several key positions, including European HR and Customer Services Director at Masco Corporation, Interim HR Director at Thomas Cook, and Group OD Director at Boots PLC. He believes that HR, IT and EHS teams add significant value through support services and business partnerships.

Stuart lives in Silverstone with his wife, Christine, and their twin daughters, Megan and Sarah. He is also an avid fundraiser and enjoys participating in triathlons, swimming and endurance sports.

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David Thomson

David is the CEO and founder of Suada, an innovative Learning Experience Platform (LXP) designed to revolutionise how people learn, retain, and apply knowledge. Unlike traditional learning management systems, Suada focuses on long-term retention, using a unique teach-back methodology proven to enhance understanding and recall. A master of sales and influence, David built and sold a multi-million-pound business by applying the very principles Suada now teaches.

He has trained thousands of professionals in persuasion, negotiation, and high-performance sales techniques, making him a sought-after expert in the field. He is one of only 6 trainers worldwide personally trained by Dr. Robert Cialdini to teach the Principles of Persuasion (POP) workshop. Despite struggling with dyslexia, his life changed when he discovered the power of structured learning. Suada is the culmination of his experience, designed to ensure learners don’t just consume content, but truly master and apply their skills for lasting success.

See the Judging Process CLICK HERE

2024 Awards Gallery

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