The 2024 Halton Business Awards
We would like to congratulate all of the following businesses on being shortlisted for the 2024 Halton Business Awards!
Thank you to Direct Security Solutions, the Main Sponsors of the 2024 Halton Business Awards
A Night Defined by Excellence
Businesses large and small joined together to recognise excellence and celebrate success on Friday 7th June, with 500 local business leaders and talented employees coming together for the fourteenth Halton Business Awards Gala Dinner. This sell out event was held at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes and hosted by Dave Guest, former BBC North West journalist, with new main sponsor Direct Security Solutions.
This year’s event saw Halton Chamber Patron, James Timpson, Chief Executive of the Timpson Group, set the scene making an appearance by video and highlighting how important awards events are in recognising and promoting great business practice. Mr. Timpson said that he is looking forward to joining everyone at this year’s Festive 1stuesday Networking Lunch on Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
On the night, Bells Healthcare, manufacturers of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, were big winners receiving the ultimate accolade ‘Halton’s Outstanding Business of the Year 2024’. They also took home the award for ‘Exporter of the Year’.
Graham Crews, Export Sales Manager at Bells Healthcare said ‘Bell’s Healthcare is very commitment to innovation, growth and having a positive impact on the region so we were thrilled to have been recognised for our significant export sales and global reach and even more delighted to be this year’s ‘Outstanding Business of the Year’. It was a complete surprise and very unexpected.’
2024 Main Sponsor
Direct Security Solutions Ltd.
With Thanks to all our Sponsors for 2024
Halton’s Outstanding Business of the Year 2024
Winner
Bells Healthcare
Sponsored by
Direct Security Solutions Ltd
Apprentice/Young Person of the Year
- Alex Margerison – Croda Europe Ltd
- Katie Marsden – Aqueous Digital
- McKenzie Macmillan – Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors
- Michael Tinsley – Halton Housing
Winner
Ash Corcoran – Halton Housing
Judges’ Comment
several times in just a few years. She’s made suggested improvements to the
organisation which have been implemented.”
BID Business of the year
- Global Connect UC
- Less than Retail
- Rogers Truck Service
Winner
Sure Safe Electrics (Widnes) Ltd
Judges’ Comment
“Great insight into the business, honest and open application with lots of information
and detail.”
Clean Green Business of the Year
- Croda Europe Ltd
- DC Recycling Ltd
- Envo EHS Consulting
Winner
Anthony’s Travel
Judges’ Comment
“A scalable model, reducing their own environmental impact and also creating a national, ripple effect through education, innovation and community action”
Commitment to the Community Award
- Aqueous Digital
- Halton Community Transport
- Halton Housing
- Runcorn Linnets Football Club – Highly Commended
- Support at Home
Winner
Nightstop Communities North-West CIC (NCNW)
Judges’ Comment
“Displays genuine altruism above and beyond their core business. Huge benefits to Halton people and communities.”
Employer of the Year
- Aqueous Digital – Highly Commended
- d3t
- Nanoco Technologies
- Nightstop Communities North-West CIC (NCNW)
- Sure Safe Electrics (Widnes) Ltd
Winner
Support at Home
Judges’ Comment
“‘Wowed’ by the support and benefits that they offered their staff. Their personal approach allows staff to thrive in a thoroughly welcoming environment.”
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Carole Howes – Chatty Learning Ltd
- John J Arrowsmith – Northwest Motorcycles
- Martin Leigh – Grafmarine Limited, Ampode Limited, GrafMed Limited
- Nick Griffiths – Industrial Cooling Equipment Ltd – Highly Commended
Winner
Scott Leader – Sustainable Woodchip Ltd, Willmor Financial Services Ltd, Halton Property Services, LX6 Ltd
Judges’ Comment
“Robust plan in place, clear processes and systems and with a definite vision for the future. An impressive understanding of business and management.”
Exporter of the Year
- Genlab Ltd
- Xpel Marketing Ltd
Winner
Bells Healthcare
Judges’ Comment
“Included valuable market information and how they have addressed some of the challenges they have overcome when it comes to exporting. A very deserving winner.”
Family Business of the Year (Less Than 15 Employees)
- Chatty Learning Ltd
- DC Recycling Ltd
- Global Connect UC
- Home Financial
Winner
Judges’ Comment
“Very impressive turnover and projections, demonstrated progression and training, very committed to the community with a clear plan for overcoming known challenges.”
Family Business of the Year (15+Employees)
- Anthonys Travel
- BV Comms
- Clarke Maintenance Services LTD
- Roger Trucks Services
Winner
Bridgewater Home Care – Halton
Judges’ Comment
“A breath of fresh air”, so genuine, it was a pleasure to read with some excellent examples. A true family business with 3 generations!”
Innovative Business of the Year (10+ Employees)
- Croda Europe Ltd
- DT Engineering Group
- Weststone Construction Ltd
Winner
Millwood Manufacturing Ltd
Judges’ Comment
“Innovative, patented technologies with a wide range of applications. Addressing environmental and health improvements, developing new products and further scale up planned as well.”
Innovative Business of the Year (<10 employees)
- MELO World
- The Compliance & Skills Academy (COSAC)
- Your Baby Scan Ltd
Winner
Chatty Learning Ltd
Judges’ Comment
“Innovative, patented technologies with a wide range of applications. Addressing environmental and health improvements, developing new products and further scale up planned as well.”
Manufacturer of the Year
- DT Engineering Group
- Husco International Partners LLP
- Millwood Manufacturing Ltd
Winner
Kenay Ltd
Judges’ Comment
“Innovative, sustainable and agile approach to delivering cutting edge material handling and automation solutions. Clearly demonstrated strong growth, quality standards and a commitment to people.”
Outstanding Customer Service Award
- Global Connect UC
- Home Financial – Highly Commended
- MAT Recruitment
- Signum Solutions
Winner
Carol Smith Mortgage Services
Judges’ Comment
“It’s a breath of fresh air, well written, it’s from the heart, well done!
A great small business which clearly has customers at the heart of all expanding services.”
Rising Star High Growth Business of the Year
- Octave Design Services Limited
- Sustainable Woodchip Ltd
- Weststone Construction Ltd
Winner
AMB Recruitment Group
Judges’ Comment
“Strategic market position has generated remarkable growth. A scalable business model that
has environmental benefits and national impact.”
Social Enterprise of the Year
- Halton Community Transport
- Runcorn Sports Club
- SEND R US CIC
- The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society
Winner
Judges’ Comment
“Excellent employee engagements, clear examples of impacts with excellent mix of programmes for Halton Young People.”
Start Up Business of the Year (<5 Employees)
- Connect Counselling and Supervision Service Ltd
- Hez Hez Boxing Equipment Ltd
- Hybrid HR Limited
- Less than Retail
Winner
Judges’ Comment
“Excellent start up values, compassionate, high quality services with year on year growth. A very strong start has been achieved.”
Start Up Business of the Year (Established 2023-2025)
- Autentica Industrial Platforms Ltd – Highly Commended
- Bridgewater Home Care – Halton
- SEND R US CIC
- Sustainable Woodchip Ltd
Winner
Movement Referrals (Movement Holdings Ltd)
Judges’ Comment
“Inspiring background and a real asset to Halton/Schools. Big plans for expansion with
growing turnover, employment and profit.”
