The best of the South Humber Bank business community has been celebrated as the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards went virtual.
An online event honoured those selected for their efforts in early 2020 - having been postponed as the coronavirus pandemic gripped.
Describing it as being held “under very unusual circumstances” Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce president Phil Jones said: “This is a remarkably creative project not least because it is being held online.
“To be a finalist is an achievement in itself and all those involved should be very proud. There were a high number of submissions again this year which demonstrates the gravitas of these awards and the talent we have in the region with so many resilient and successful businesses. A night to celebrate for everyone.
“A huge thank you to the sponsors here tonight for supporting this event and enabling the success in the region to be recognised.”
Grimsby's Technical Absorbents Ltd took the Forrester Boyd Award for Business Excellence after judges heard how its wonder fibres make it a global leader in its field, with new customers in export markets the world over.
Eight years after being on stage for the presentations as Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce’s North East Lincolnshire chair, Richard Rowell made a virtual return to be crowned Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year.
A former partner at Forrester Boyd, he took on the payroll division and transformed it beyond recognition, leading it as an independent business and going on to add other financial elements as well as IT support and, most recently, software development.
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The paid-for event was set from the off in a lighthearted tone after an incredibly tough year, with host Richard Askam joined by comedian Lloyd Griffith - in black tie and Grimsby Town shorts. Performing arts students at Grimsby Institute were also back with a special performance. A canape demonstration and dressing competition also featured - as part of a hamper link-up with Healing Manor - a venue overseen by two previous Northern Lincolnshire Business Person of the Year winners, 'The Lincolnshire Chef' Steven Bennett and wife Charlotte.
The 2020 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards roll of honour:
The E Factor Group Small Business of the Year Award
Winner: Walshes Property Ltd, Scunthorpe - Estate agency and property management
Judges found: From spare room to multi award winning independent estate and letting agency based in Scunthorpe, Walshe’s Property is a true business success. Founded in 2017 this still relatively new business offers all the traditional services a local established agency would offer but with all the modern touches.
Led by Josh Walshe, still only 22 years of age, this business is a market leader and currently entering into untapped markets. With a large social media following, a modern vibrant office in the heart of the town and a fast growing client bank this business has doubled turnover in the year 2019/2020, tripled its profits and has clients from all over the world.
Reaction: Josh Walshe said: "I'm back in the spare room tonight! It was set up in the third bedroom of my first house and it seems like an eternity ago when we look at where we have come to. This is really appreciated, thank you everyone."
Finalists: Laser Red, Grimsby - digital marketing agency; Riverhead Coffee, Grimsby - North East Lincolnshire coffee chain
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The Dataplan Payroll Business Growth Award
Winner: Docks Beers, Grimsby - Brewery, events space and taphouse
Judges found: Docks Beers had a clear vision. They wanted to achieve a turnover of £2 million in five years and be known as the best brewery in Lincolnshire and a premier craft brewery and taproom brand in the 海角视频. Established in 2013 turnover for the company has grown year on year but particularly since the launch of the Docks Beers brand in October 2018. With a main brewery site at King Edward Street and a lively taproom the company then commenced online sales and has worked on a new entertainment space – Docks Academy.
Docks Beers is led by Mike Richards, Shahram Shadan and Will Douglas, who have thrown themselves into making their dreams a success.
Reaction: Will Douglas said: "This is absolutely great, thank you so much it is really nice. For everyone that’s bought our beer, drank in our taproom, worn our merch or just told their mate about us. This one’s for you!"
Finalists: Moulded Fibre Products, Flixborough - pulp packaging specialist; Rameco, Grimsby - energy-efficient insulation installer.
The Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year
Winner: Richard Rowell, Dataplan Group, Grimsby
Judges found: Richard Rowell is the man behind the phenomenal success that is Dataplan. The business was originally a payroll outsourcing company but purchased by Forrester Boyd in 1989. Richard took over responsibility for the business a decade later.
He saw the potential to grow the business outside of the Forrester Boyd client base and in 2006 Dataplan started to target new standalone clients across the 海角视频. 2008 saw the company gain success in the industry’s most prestigious awards, The Chartered Institute of Payroll Awards where they won Payroll Outsourcer of the Year. Staff figures have grown year on year and in the last year have gone from 111 to 122. To cope with increases in staff the business has moved to Prince Albert Gardens. This company has achieved remarkable success and growth in outsourced professional services and technology, thanks to the hard work and dedication by managing director Richard Rowell.
Reaction: Richard Rowell said: "I'm pleased as punch, I have a fantastic team behind me, we have grown to 143 staff now, we are firmly committed to the area, and couldn't do it without that great team."
Finalists: Dean Bolton, Eyewatch Security, Scunthorpe; Liam O’Leary, Laser Red, Grimsby
The Phillips 66 International Trade Award
Winner: Technical Absorbents Ltd, Grimsby - specialist fabric producer
Judges found: TAL continues to be the global leader in the production of superabsorbent fibres and successfully attracts new customers – for both fibre and fabric – year on year. Exports make up over 98 per cent of the company’s sales. Its largest overseas markets for fibre are North America and Europe, with increasing volumes into China and the rest of the world. In 2018 TAL launched a new washable fabric which has taken the market by storm. Interest in the SAFTM technology is truly international with development programmes for its fibre, fabrics and yarns ongoing.
Reaction: Mike Parkington, general manager, said: "This is recognition of the work that the team has done over the past year, a great reflection. It is something that makes me really proud in terms of the achievement for the business."
Finalists: API Studbolts, Stallingborough - industrial fastening manufacturer and stockist; Mariner Industries, Grimsby - packaging and sheeting provider.
The Bridge McFarland New Business Award
Winner: IshFish, Grimsby - online seafood retailer
Judges found: Ish Fish was created in 2018 by Garry Bainbridge with a mission to change the way people buy fish. The company passionately believes in the nutritional value of fresh, sustainable seafood and wants to make ordering fish as easy as possible so fish can be enjoyed right across the 海角视频. The business is now approaching its third year and has made good and sustained progress. Sales per month have doubled and December 2019 was the busiest month yet. Ish Fish continues to make significant progress within a niche market. The company has recognised that seafood delivery within the online service sector has not made the headway it should. Using determination, expertise and connections this company looks set to put that right!
Finalists: Create TVT, Scunthorpe - design, print and distribution; Play Avenue, Scunthorpe - children’s role play centre
The Docks Beers Young Business Person of the Year Award
Winner: Luke Drewery, Know Film, Brigg
Judges found: Launched in 2012 by cousins Luke Drewery and Peter Hewes, Know is a leading video production agency based in Scunthorpe creating engaging videos that use compelling storytelling to connect brands, businesses and organizations with their audiences. Luke started out at an early age filming friends riding their bikes. Something clicked and he was hooked on bringing together a story others could relive over and over again. Using video as a creative and commercial tool and love of film now drives this business forward. A recent commitment by Luke to working on the business and not in the business has seen effective marketing drive up turnover by a third for 2019.
Finalists: Stephanie Grace Bullock, Little Yellow House Flower Shop, Scunthorpe; Natalie Hodge, Natalie Kate Make Up Artist, Scunthorpe
The North East Lincolnshire Business Development Award
Winner: Dataplan, Grimsby - payroll and tech support
Judges found: Dataplan Group is a group of outsourced business services. The largest part is Dataplan Payroll that provides payroll, pension management and HR services to businesses, schools and the public sector throughout the 海角视频 Dataplan manage payrolls for organisations of all sizes but their core customer base is payrolls between 50 and 10,000 employees. As part of the group Dataplan also has a software development company, Datacode Tech and an IT support business, Atomic IT.
Originally operating from Grimsby Docks and established in 1969 when personal computers had not been invented, this company now employs 122 members of staff.
Reaction: Richard Rowell said: "Such a lot of hard work has gone into growing the business and to be coming from this area of the world where we need all the good stories we can have, we are able to compete nationally and internationally. It is nice to see so many business having a good old celebration."
Finalists: G-Tech, Humberston - commercial and industrial electrical contractor; JemBuild - commercial construction specialist
The North Lincolnshire Business Investment Award
Winner: Rainham Steel, Scunthorpe - structural steel stockholder
Judges found: Rainham Steel purchased its Scunthorpe site in 2003, starting with five overhead cranes and five HGV vehicles. Today the site operates with a fleet of 27 HGV lorries and 25 overhead cranes. To date Rainham Steel has invested more than £25 million in the Scunthorpe operation with further plans to substantially develop the business, including the development of a purpose built, processing facility.
Investments also include the extension of their warehouse at a cost of £1.1 million and purchase and development of the Flixborough site, a further £1 million spend. The business employs just under 100 staff at the Scunthorpe site.
Reaction: Francis Micallef, operations director, said: "This is very important. Being based in the Humber is a massive opportunity for us, with the growth, the freeport and other supporting industries coming to the region."
Finalists: TTS Support, Scunthorpe - commercial fleet assistance; Weightlifter Bodies, Scunthorpe - truck body builder
The Grimsby Institute Training Excellence Award
Winner: Sylvester Keal, Grimsby - catering and laundry equipment supplier
Judges found: Sylvester Keal has been a pioneer in the design, supply and installation of commercial kitchens and laundries for over 30 years. The company is dedicated to being the very best it can for customers, including hotel groups, care home groups and the NHS. A commitment to people development is at the heart of the operation and a tailored training plan sees each member of the team receive individual personal development both inside and outside the workplace. With a company strategy of PACE - People As a Competitive Edge - Sylvester Keal has won significant plaudits with its training policy both regionally and nationally.
Reaction: Irene Keal said: "We are delighted to win the award. We are really proud, as everyone knows it has been a really tough year for business. We like to give our staff a purpose, to come to work to learn, to continue training and we embrace apprenticeships."
Finalists: Event Show Support, Grimsby - national show operator; Hilton Seafood, Grimsby
The Hull & Humber Chamber Excellence in Community Award
Winner: Driver Hire, Grimsby - transport recruitment specialist
Judges found: Driver Hire is the 海角视频’s largest specialist transport and logistics recruitment company, offering temporary and permanent driving jobs, non-driving work, Driver CPC training and other training. Since taking over the business in 2016, Driver has been actively involved in supporting good causes in the community, a policy fervently believed in by franchisees Jayne and Michael O’Flynn. From 2016 to 2018 the couple raised just under £20,000 for When you wish upon a Star, as well as monies for Community Linkage, Cash for Kids, Havelock Academy Sunflower Children and Jane Elizabeth Cadey, an MS sufferer who after a fall in 2018 found herself isolated in bed unable to move. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the O’Flynns Jayne Elizabeth has received private physiotherapy and has recovered mobility. In 2019 the couple introduced a new initiative to support the two local Hospices, St Andrew’s Hospice in Grimsby and Lindsey Lodge in Scunthorpe. For every shift their drives donate 25p to the hospices to be distributed evenly between the two organisations. A truly remarkable couple who put the community at the heart of their activities.
Reaction: Michael O'Flynn said: "It is such an honour to be nominated let alone win an award like this. We are really pleased to have supported our community through our business efforts."
Finalists: Belton Kitchen, Belton - Isle of Axholme visitor centre coffee shop; Fresh Start, Grimsby - cooked meal delivery
The Pepperells Innovation Award
Winner: Premier Training, South Killingholme - accountancy distance learning provider
Judges found: Established in 1998 with a borrowed chair, borrowed desk and rented phone, Premier Training has expanded over the last 22 years to become one of the 海角视频’s leading distance learning training providers for AAT accountancy and bookkeeping courses. Based initially out of Immingham, and now South Killinghome, the company’s close-knit team of local tutors, course advisors and IT staff support students in the 海角视频 and more than 30 other countries around the world. Developed entirely in house by Premier Training the Premier Pal app is an innovation in distance learning, reinventing the methods in which students can learn AAT accountancy and bookkeeping courses effectively and efficiently. The app has been downloaded by more than 1,000 students/customers since its launch last year generating a host of benefits for businesses.
Finalists: Dataplan, Grimsby - payroll and tech support; Laser Red, Grimsby - digital marketing agency
Tilletts Business Woman of the Year
Winner: Jayne O’Flynn, Driver Hire, Grimsby
Judges found: Jayne O’Flynn was chosen by the team of judges as the outright winners of this Award. Jayne was keen to demonstrate through her Award that ‘women of a certain age’ can buy their own business. Her mantra is ‘never stop believing in yourself – whatever age you are!’ Jayne moved from London to North East Lincolnshire in 2015 to buy a business. Driver Hire seemed the right choice with a national reputation although locally the business had been in the doldrums. Jayne has led the strategic position of the business achieving increased turnover, an increase in clients and a new arm to the business – DH Recruitment. A determined business woman with a great outlook to life!
Reaction: Jayne O'Flynn said: "I'm shocked. Thank you very much indeed. My main reason was to promote other like-minded women of a certain age, to encourage them to never give up on what they want to do and to grab it."
Finalists: Danielle Howarth, Belton Kitchen and Visitor Centre; Michelle Mills, Hales & Coultas, Scunthorpe
The Forrester Boyd Award for Business Excellence
Winner: Technical Absorbents Ltd
Judges selected the business from all the previous award entries.
Reaction: Mike Parkington said: "This is incredible and on reflection it just tells the team we are doing absolutely the right thing at the right time, and we need to keep it up.
"Hopefully next year will be better for everyone, and we can do this all live."