2023 Salford Business Award Winners Announced
Posted on Friday, June 16th 2023 at 11:37 amThe 2023 Salford Business Award winners were announced last night (Thursday 15th June) at a glittering ceremony at the Lowry Hotel, hosted by Radio 1’s Vicky Hawkesworth. The awards, organised by the University of Salford, The Business Group and Salford City Council returned for the first time since the pandemic providing a chance for businesses to celebrate their achievements over the past few years.
Winner of the Large Business of the Year Award was St Ann’s Hospice an organisation thoroughly embedded in the Little Hulton community, with generations of people being treated across the area. They demonstrated excellence through everything they do with an extraordinary leadership team working extremely well together with the judges particularly impressed by how staff led their vision and values.
Small Business of the Year Winner was Walk the Plank – one of the leading outdoor arts companies in the UK. Having shown strong growth over the past few years and innovation and leadership across all that they do the judges were particularly impressed with their support for freelancers throughout the pandemic and their love of Salford.
Lucie Grech founder of The Laser Lounge was winner of the Entrepreneur Award and Rising Star winner Peter James White Electrical were commended by the judges for their rapid growth and future plans. Mettler Toledo Safeline scooped the Innovation Award for their work on a brand-new technical platform. Britannia Anchor Removals retained their Best Employer crown despite fierce competition from Morgan Sindall, Salford City College and Unlimited Potential. Winner of 2016’s Entrepreneur Award The Footlights Group walked away with the Inspiring Young People Award. Graystone Action Sports were runners-up in both the Community Award and Inspiring Young People Award.
Prof. Janice Allan, Dean of Salford Business School, University of Salford commented: “It has been an honour to both sponsor and support the 2023 Salford Business Awards. The dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence shown by the finalists has not only driven their own success, but has also contributed to the vibrancy and prosperity of our city.”
Paul Wainwright, Chair, The Business Group said: “It has been almost four years since we were last able to celebrate the success of Salford’s businesses and it has been amazing to do so again with the support and commitment from Salford’s business community. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners and thank you to the event organisers, sponsors and partners – without whom it would not have been possible to deliver such a spectacular event.
We are very proud of all of these businesses, their continued commitment to Salford and for creating quality, well-paid, safe employment for our residents and successful, sustainable businesses for our city and communities.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “I’d like to congratulate all the businesses who made it to the finals of the 2023 Salford Business Awards. I appreciate the past few years have been very hard due to the pandemic and cost of living crisis but I’ve seen the hard work and changes businesses have had to make to keep going through this incredibly difficult period.
“Collectively all the businesses employ a lot of Salfordians and create jobs and opportunities that both other businesses and local people can benefit from. I would like to thank them all for their efforts in creating growth in this great city.”
Full list of winners and runners-up:
Community Award sponsored by Argyle
Winner: Salford City College Group
Runner-up: Graystone Action Sports
Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Salford Business School
Winner: The Laser Lounge
Runner-up: IN4 Group
Rising Star Award sponsored by Kingsland Drinks
Winner: Peter James White Electrical
Runner-up: Bunch Floral Design
Excellence Award sponsored by Eversheds
Winner: St Ann’s Hospice
Runner-up: Jigsaw Facilities
Innovation Award sponsored by Ask
Winner: Mettler Toledo Safeline
Runner-up: Mr Investa
Sustainability Award sponsored by Deloitte
Winner: Walk the Plank
Runner-up: Metalube Group
Best Employer Award sponsored by Business Growth Hub
Winner: Britannia Anchor Removals
Runner-up: Morgan Sindall
Inspiring Young People Award sponsored by Morgan Sindall
Winner: The Footlights Group
Runner-up: Graystone Action Sports
Business of the Year Award sponsored by University of Salford, The Business Group and Salford City Council
Small Business of the Year Winner: Walk the Plank
Large Business of the Year Winner: St Ann’s Hospice
