2014 Salford Business Award Winners
Posted on Friday, June 6th 2014 at 9:10 amThe winners of the 2014 Salford Business Awards sponsored by TalkTalk Technology were announced during last night’s (Thursday 5th June) ceremony at the AJ Bell Stadium, with JMC IT being crowned large business of the year and Oakwood Engineering named small business of the year.
Judges felt that IT support, technology and software partner JMC IT – which also scooped the Excellence Award – was outstanding in all areas of the business. Based in Pendlebury, JMC IT has more than 400 clients across the region in industries including housing, law, accountancy and leisure.
It offers a managed support service from advanced remote system monitoring to a comprehensive IT service desk function and recognises that its people are its biggest asset, confirmed by its 15th place in the Sunday Times 2014 Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For ranking.
Small Business of the Year Oakwood Engineering also received the Innovation Award.
The Eccles family firm has radically changed its business, from providing expertise within a traditional construction industry to leading innovation in Building Information Modelling (BIM), with Wembley Stadium and The Shard just two of the many iconic projects that it has undertaken.
Harland Machine Systems won the International Trade Award; the Community Forest Trust received the Energy & Environment Award; with CSG Lanstar named Best Employer; The Lowry scooping the Best Community Award; the Entrepreneur Award going to LSE Retail Group and KeepItUsable winning the Rising Star title.
The prestigious event, hosted by BAFTA award-winning journalist Elaine Willcox, was attended by 350 guests who enjoyed an after-dinner speech from BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell.
Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, said: “Salford’s businesses are some of the most innovative and successful in Britain. It is fantastic to have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements.
“They represent the best of our great city around the world and are creating job opportunities for people at home.”
University of Salford Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall, commented: “We have a proud history of supporting businesses and working with them to drive innovation. Salford Business School has just received the Small Business Charter Award from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Association of Business Schools in recognition of its dedication to support and improve links with the local business community.
“The Government’s Witty report into universities and economic growth last year also ranked Salford as the number one university in the North West and fifth in the UK for industry engagement. We’re pleased to be involved in the Salford Business Awards once more, as vibrant business development is key to Salford’s future.”
Paul Wainwright, Chair of The Business Group, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many successful businesses in Salford working together, creating job opportunities and promoting the City across the globe.
“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate their achievements and look forward to continuing our work supporting our thriving business community between now and the 2015 awards.”
Full list of winners and runners-up:
Business of the Year Award sponsored by TalkTalk Technology
Large Business of the Year: JMC IT
Small Business of the Year: Oakwood Engineering
Energy & Environment Award sponsored by ENER-G
Winner: Community Forest Trust
Runner-up: Baba+Boo
Excellence Award sponsored by Cetus Solutions & Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Winner: JMC IT
Runner-up: Imperative Training
International Trade Award supported by UKTI
Winner: Harland Machine Systems
Runner-up: ENER-G
Best Employer Award sponsored by JMC IT
Winner: CSG Lanstar
Runner-up: Cuckoo Design
Community Award sponsored by Salford City Council
Winner: The Lowry
Runner-up: Helping Hands
Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Salford Innovation Park
Winner: LSE Retail Group
Runner-up: Treacle Events
Rising Star Award sponsored by NatWest
Winner: KeepItUsable
Runner-up: Wink Nudge
Innovation Award sponsored by the University of Salford
Winner: Oakwood Engineering
Runner-up: Vaioni
