A CAN-MAKING plant, a voice and arts academy, an Elizabethan summer house, an Indian restaurant and an organisation providing meals for busy parents… Just a few of the winners of the inaugural NNBN Awards.
They were chosen from more than 170 entries in Northamptonshire’s newest awards competition and received their awards at a gala ceremony at Kettering Park Hotel.
Ball Corporation, whose cutting-edge, 56,000 sq metre aluminium can-making plant in Barton Seagrave opened earlier this year, was the big winner, named the Business of the Year and also receiving The Green Award.
It was also a double celebration for the CIC No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents, based at Yelvertoft near Crick. The initiative, which provides family-friendly recipes, food and farming blogs and no-fuss cooking advice, was crowned Start Up Business of the Year, with co-founder Milly Fyfe also winning Business Person of the Year.
“A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists,” said Simon Cox, director of awards organiser NNBN, a county-wide membership organisation. “What incredible talent, resilience, creativity and innovation we have here in Northamptonshire, and what a privilege to be able to share and celebrate this.”
He and co-director Marie Baker thanked the awards sponsors, including headline sponsors North Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Poppy Design Studio and Pilkington Communications, as well as event sponsor Wilson Browne Solicitors.
Ms Baker said: “The feedback has been exceptional and we already have exciting plans for 2024.”
MEET THE WINNERS & FINALISTS
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Square Feet Cowork
Finalists
- Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts
- Bulwick Village Shop
- O’Sullivan Financial Planning
- Wills Consultants
Sponsor: Holiday Inn Express Kettering
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Ball Beverage Packaging
Finalists
- Commsave Credit Union
- Elsby & Co
- HR Solutions
- Mannol UK
Sponsor: Action Coach Oakham & Kettering
START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents CIC
Finalists
- 3RS IT Solutions Ltd
- Four Talent Ltd
- Milestone Projects
- OT33 Occupational Therapy Services
Sponsor: Hawsons Chartered Accountants
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Milly Fyfe – No Fuss Meals For Busy Parents CIC
Finalists
- Jason Bridger of Ball Beverage Packaging
- Jevgenij Lyzko of Mannol UK
- Keith Wright of K Wright Consultancy Limited
- Martin Steers of NLive Radio
Sponsor: Square Feet Cowork
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE TOURISM AWARD
Lyveden
Finalists
- Holiday Inn Express Kettering
- Northampton Town Centre Hotel
- Trapp’d
Sponsor: Discover Northamptonshire
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Amber Thorpe of Silverstone Leasing
Finalists
- John Perry of Accommodation Concern
- Kate Coulson from Ena HR & Training
- Marie Nickerson from Holiday Inn Express Kettering
- Paul Meadows from Sends 4 Dad
Sponsor: Tresham College
THE GREEN AWARD
Ball Beverage Packaging
Finalists
- Food for Thought
- Ganders Goat
- Groundwork Northamptonshire
- Repair Not Replace
Sponsor: North Northamptonshire Council
MICRO BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Dot & Stripe
Finalist
- Daisy Doo’s
- Lime Design Studio
- Northamptonshire Careers
- Unified Fighting Systems
Sponsor: Nick Freeman Photography
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
Northampton Saints Foundation
Finalists
- Baby Basics Northampton
- Northamptonshire Health Charity
- St Andrews Healthcare
- Teamwork Trust
Sponsor: Commsave Credit Union
FOOD & DRINK BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Mewar Haveli
Finalists
- Mill House Tea Rooms
- Moo Steak
- The Northampton Cheese Company
- Wine Chateau
Sponsor: Groundwork Northamptonshire
HAIR & BEAUTY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Beauty Bar Desborough
Finalists
- Brow Wow Beauty
- The Barber Shed Daventry
- The Bird Cage Hair Salon
Sponsor: Northants Life
HEALTH & WELLBEING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts
Finalists
- Blossom Children’s Occupational Therapy Ltd
- Go Beyond Challenge
- Kaur Aura
- Unified Fighting Systems
Sponsor: Brackmills Industrial Estate
