Winners take all at North East Cheshire Business Awards 2016

Over 350 guests, judges and nominated finalists gathered last night at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Knutsford to celebrate the 2016 North East Cheshire Business Awards (NECBA).

Taking home the honours in new categories this year were Colin Lawson from Equilibrium Asset Management, who won Entrepreneur of the Year, Rachael Calthorpe from AstraZeneca, who won Apprentice of the Year and Age UK Cheshire East, who were named Charity of the Year. As winner, Age UK Cheshire East will also become NECBA’s beneficiary for 2017.

This year’s charity partner – the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust – took almost £3,000 away from the night after generous guests took part in a raffle and auction. Sponsors William & Crosby added a further £2100 in a separate fund-raising rally drive.

Other winners included:

• Roberts Jackson, Business of the Year over £5million
• Tyler Grange, Business of the Year up to £5million
• Direct Foods, Excellence in Customer Service
• Boxed Red Marketing, Team of the Year
• Nexus Dry Hire, Start Up Business of the Year
• Motor Trade Delivery, Innovation and Design
• Venn Digital, Best Design/Creative
• One Minute Briefs/Big Brand Ideas, Best Use of Social Media

Celebrity guest speaker Pete Waterman OBE gave a passionate speech around the benefits of HS2 coming to the county and celebrated the area’s excellent record for enterprise and drive.

The feted producer, songwriter, radio and club DJ and lifelong entrepreneur talked passionately about the opportunities better rail infrastructure could deliver for the area and the re-energising of classic rail trades like tunnelling where we are world-renowned.

Hosted by Terry Golding from Cheshire Silk 106.9, the evening also heard from George Hayes, Chair of the Skills & Growth Company, and David Rutley Conservative MP for Macclesfield, who talked about the importance of business talent in the region and its key role in the local economy.

Tim Hine from one of the main sponsors, NatWest, said the night had been another important milestone in the awards 6-year history.

“It was a great evening again at The Mere, attracting many businesses, finalists and eventual winners who got the recognition they deserved. We can be very proud of the quality, diversity and energy of the entrepreneurs of North East Cheshire.”

Sponsors and partners for this year’s Awards include: NatWest Bank, Orbit Developments, SAS Daniels, Harts, Macclesfield College, RA Smart, Leonard Curtis, Williams & Crosby, Macclesfield Express, Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce, Cheshire Silk 106.9, Cheshire East Council, Souter PR.

For further information

Please contact the event organiser Sue Bowden, Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce on 01625 665940 or email info@necbawards.co.uk