Winners of the HullLive Business Awards have been revealed.
Returning as a physical event for 2021, a gala dinner saw 14 accolades presented to high-achieving individuals and organisations from across East Yorkshire.
Tenacity, resilience and ingenuity were toasted after an unprecedented 18 months rocked the community to its core.
Read more: Winners' tales from HullLive Business Awards 2021 as success celebrated
Read more: Trevor Boanas reflects on lifetime contribution honour
Laid on by Reach Plc, and powered by Business Live, television presenter Lucrezia Millarini hosted, with Hull Daily Mail and Hull Live publisher Neil Hodgkinson welcoming the return as part of the economic recovery that so many in the region are contributing to.
“We are emerging from a pandemic and I am staring at a room full of incredible business leaders - we have chief executives, senior managers, top young talent and successful entrepreneurs,” he said, listing off the huge headlines that have been generated from activity in the past few months. He spoke of the “passion and determination to adapt and conquer,”and addressing the near 500-strong gathering directly, he said: “You are the future - the people who have safeguarded the region through this life-changing period and are now rebuilding and re-energising our economy to make sure it not only recovers but thrives.”
Thanking sponsors and the judges, he reflected on the pleasures and pitfalls of home-working and virtual meetings - with an online platform the only way to host the last celebration.
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“Our virtual awards for 2020 - in March - went well according to the feedback and it was especially pleasing to be able to recognise the work of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,” he said. “However, this is the biggest event of its kind in the region and tonight shows a certain normality is returning. We have a new host and a great speaker, a shortlist full of talent and a marvellous Lifetime Contribution award.
“We are back!”
Indeed, Jo Fairley, co-founder of luxury chocolate brand Green & Black’s provided insight and inspiration, before the career and community support provided by Trevor Boanas was honoured.
And in the run-up to the final accolade of the night for the instrumental figure in the Bonus Electrical success story, a superb shortlist selected by the esteemed independent panel was praised and winners crowned, with the night kept on track thanks to Ms Millarini, making her debut at the business calendar highlight.
2021 HullLive Business Awards Roll of Honour:
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by
Winner: Adam Ferreira, Jupiter IT Solutions
His commitment to the role has been clear from day one, with a thirst for knowledge and strong client-focus commitment, lapped up by customers.
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Described as becoming an outstanding member of the team since joining in 2019, he managed the pandemic process of ensuring all clients could function remotely, implementing a strategy to get everyone up and running as quick as possible.
He has passed his Level Three Infrastructure Technician course with distinction and completed a certified Sophos engineering course in his own time.
Runners-up: Anzelika Gzibovska, Language is Everything; Gemma Nutting, Wellspring Academy Trust / Hull Business Training Centre
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by
Winner: Milly Rose, Fantastic Faces
From being a young single parent who had emerged from an abusive relationship, she returned to a passion for painting - Fantastic Faces.
Events, play days and private parties are catered for, and while 2000 wiped out such opportunities, she started an online clothing company.
She is now employing freelancers, and is making a name for herself in her industry, going from winning an award for a piece created to sitting on the board of the International Face and Body Art Committee, while recently being appointed as business and marketing consultant for the Face Association.
Runners-up: Kris Bilski, Astor Productions; Matt Johnson, Different Resonance
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by
Winner: Albert Weatherill, Van Ameyde McAuslands
A director of the business within a decade of joining from the Merchant Navy, he has been instrumental in making a long established Hull-based marine surveyor an international force, from the Humber to Teesport and Taiwan.
Made managing director in 2008, and staying on to play a group role after acquisition in 2019, he welcomed in the first £1 million revenue year and is now sailing towards the £4 million mark. Initiating a safe change crew system in Covid as a seafaring humanitarian crisis emerged has played a key role in recent growth.
Runner up: Mike Ellis, 43 Clicks North
Environment and Sustainability
Sponsored by
Winner: Wold Top Brewery
The 18-year-old business now grows 95 per cent of the barley used to produce the beer, with water sourced from boreholes on the fourth generation farm it is part of.
Cover crops, renewable energy - two wind turbines - and sustainable land management practices have all been introduced, with five acres of native trees planted to offset emissions.
Waste water is filtered back through the chalk and recycled using reed beds, while spent grains feed local cattle and hops are recycled into garden mulch.
Recycled bottles and kegs are standard, with biodegradable shrink wrap now used.
Runners-up: O&E Services Ltd; Timloc Building Products
Innovation and Technology
Sponsored by
Winner: IParcelBox
Hull-born entrepreneur Paul Needler has brought forward the smart residential parcel delivery locker, allowing for secure tracked deliveries or collections.
Connected to the home wifi network, the courier or postal worker presses a button to request delivery, lifting the lid when it unlocks.
Smartphone notifications keep the customer informed, with web cam compatibility an option, with a delivery taking the seconds it may take a home-owner to unlock the door.
It has been recognised in the sector, with almost 1,000 units now sold direct, and a partnership struck with housebuilder Northstone Developments for new homes.
European distribution deals are also in place.
Runners-up: Brocklesby Ltd; GlobalView Systems Ltd
Customer Focus
Sponsored by
Winner: Helix CMS
The fledgling Hull construction management service provider delivers projects to the healthcare industry, priding itself on partnership working.
Launched in late 2020, it looks set to turn over £8.5 million in the first year, delivering projects ranging in value from £100,000 to £5.5 million.
Work has been secured with The Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, with infection control courses introduced for staff to ensure it operates with respect to the constraints around primary care.
It now aims to expand the team and geographic footprint, as well as project scale after setting stale foundations.
Runners-up: Allesandro Caruso Architects; Kingston Carton Company
Training and Development
Sponsored by
Winner: Paragon Toolmaking, Hull
A four year apprenticeship course is thriving at the world leader in the design and production of manufacturing press tools.
Just into its second half century serving industries from aerospace to automotive, construction to white goods, it prides itself on offering a clear career path in a highly skilled sector.
More than 60 per cent of the staff trained through apprenticeships, with Heta the training partner.
With three completing their time in January, six apprentices are now on the course, given the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business in a programme designed to incorporate traditional engineering and modern manufacturing.
Runner-up: Giacom World Networks
Diversity and Inclusion
Sponsored by
Winner: Sewell Group
Winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity in 2021, the multi-disciplined group of companies is continually recognised as one of the best to work for.
It aims to be a great place to be part of and a home for talent, creating skills development and career advancement routes, while aiming to inspire those from backgrounds where work has been scarce.
Half the senior leadership team came from low income families, with only a quarter arriving with higher education qualifications.
It also targets community support in allied areas, with The Sewell Skills Academy, Tommy Coyle Academy and Cat Zeo backing.
Runner-up: Language is Everything
Contribution to East Riding
Sponsored by
Winner: Tribfest Music Festival
The Sledmere Park event, led by father and daughter team Ed and Dempsey Faulkner, was held shortly after the pandemic’s restrictions were lifted, with many rolling over tickets from 2020 to support it.
It went on to feature 56 tribute bands, attracting thousands.
Now in its 15th year, it showcases top tribute bands from across the 海角视频 and beyond, as well as unsigned bands, acoustic acts and comedians.
Ed brings 30 year of experience from the entertainment sector to the event, having been a solo artist and band member too.
Runner-up: Beverley Racecourse
Employee of the Year
Sponsored by
Winner: Claire Clark, Arco
Joining in the senior role as head of engineering during lockdown, she made an extremely positive impact despite not having the opportunity to meet face-to-face for the first six months.
Leading a large software product development team, she has been described as extremely professional and an inspiration, with an “amazing ability to build high-performing teams”.
Her contributions have already been recognised across the company and the wider community, with mentoring and digital skills work, as a co-founder of Women 4.0, with Barclays and C4DI.
Runners-up: Joe Makin, Emmerson Kitney; Ruth Walmsley, Blab
Start-Up Business of the Year
Sponsored by and
Winner: DBB Electrical
Launched by electrician Dean Brown in 2019 as a sole trader, with a van, some tools and workwear. He brought experience gained working in management for another firm to his own venture.
Despite getting going just as the pandemic hit, growth has been strong, and he now has three further electricians and three apprentices on board, as well as administrative support.
Clients include letting agents, social housing providers, businesses and private customers.
A real hunger and desire to help bring people through the trade is clear, with the passing on of knowledge shining through.
Runners-up: Helix CMS; Nazar Design
Business of the Year (Up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by
Winner: GW Power-Safe
The mechanical and electrical engineering solutions provider launched seven years ago, and has gone from three employees to 37, with turnover approaching £5 million.
It specialises in large commercial design and build projects but also completes installations, testing, maintenance and repair contracts - with a focus on the minor works division.
This year has seen the Hull firm acquire its own headquarters to facilitate the growth, with an air conditioning department also added, reducing reliance on sub-contractors, while bringing a more comprehensive service and quality control.
Runners-up: Language is Everything; Maltby Stores 1904 Ltd, Hull
Business of the Year (over 51 employees)
Sponsored by
Winner: M-AR Offsite, Hull
The modular manufacturer turned turnkey contractor has seen revenues increase from £6.2 million pre-pandemic to £20 million, with a further £8 million anticipated in 2022.
A new 100,000 sq ft manufacturing centre has enabled the huge growth, while taking staff from 40 in 2019 to 70 in 2021.
It has formed a group structure to include hire and installation divisions and secured places on recognised public sector frameworks, with the biggest project to date - an £8.5m school contract in London - secured through the process.
More than £500,000 has also been invested in plant and machinery.
Runners-up: Giacom World Networks; The 55 Group
Lifetime Contribution
Sponsored by
Winner: Trevor Boanas
Having first joined Bonus Electrical more than 50 years ago, when his father Eric headed up the family business, it had a turnover of around £800 a month. He was paid £20 per week with a one per cent commission.
His influence in the business was immediate. Just a few months later, the company turnover had increased to £5,000 a month.
With both father and son involved in the business, Bonus Electrical relocated from its rented premises in Mytongate to a new home in Flinton Street, off Hessle Road.
When Eric passed away, Trevor took over the company. Bonus Electrical continued to expand and grow under his leadership, and when he eventually retired in the 1990s, he handed over the keys to current chief executive Shaun Boanas.
Today, the business employs almost 100 people at several locations across the 海角视频, turning over in excess of £30 million.
Forever remaining a true family business, the name Boanas and brand Bonus have become synonymous with Hull.
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