Full round-up of the Cheshire Business Awards 2009

Nov 26 2009 By Gil Lightfoot

Large Business of the Year

THE Large Business of the Year award, sponsored by Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance, was won by Boughey Distribution of Nantwich.

One of the country’s leading specialist warehousing and distribution firms, Boughey Distribution makes deliveries every day to the full range of supermarket, wholesale and speciality chains, including some of Britain’s biggest blue chip food brands and retailers, across the country.

The company has a 55-acre purpose-built facility at Wardle which is home to its own fleet of vehicles. It has a sister site at Deeside.

Also nominated was Chester-based identity management company GB Group.

Employer of the Year

CHESS Telecom of Alderley Edge picked up the trophy in the Employer of the Year section, sponsored by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Chess works in a fast moving and dynamic atmosphere which creates new and exciting opportunities for its staff.

The company believes looking after its staff to be of prime importance and its offices adhere to the principles of Feng Shui. Benefits for staff include childcare vouchers, pensions, free health care, flu jabs, gym membership, a bike-to-work scheme and life insurance.

Also nominated were Prism of Congleton and Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

Start-Up

WINNER of the Start-Up category was DTM Legal, of Archway House, Chester, a new, dynamic law firm which provides commercial legal advice to SMEs and to larger companies.

Less than a year after setting up, the company has increased its staff from 19 to 37 and its intention is to recruit more staff and expand into more niche commercial legal disciplines.

Also nominated were Asphalt Re-lay of Crewe and Vale Plumbing Supplies of Northwich.

Women in Business

CLAIRE Braithwaite of LoveLula.com based on the Barrowmore Enterprise Estate at Great Barrow, scooped this year’s Women in Business award.

Claire launched the online store in 2006. It specialises in organic and natural beauty products.

The website now stocks more than 1,200 products by more than 70 beauty and wellbeing brands and attracts an average of a million hits each week.

Claire, an Oxford graduate, is a trained naturopath and qualified chartered accountant.

Also nominated were Dianne Worby of Global Air Training and Jan Williams of Frodsham Laser Clinic.

Community Award

THE Community Award, sponsored by Sellafield Ltd, was won by Team Bank of America at Bank of America Europe Card Services which has always recognised the importance of giving back to the community in addition to enriching the lives of staff members.

Team Bank of America is the company’s primary volunteer organisation for staff who work together to enhance the lives of teammates, customers and the community.

The company gives all its staff the chance to take four hours every month during business hours to take part in volunteering activities. Over the past year more than 350 staff have notched up more than 5,500 hours spent on various voluntary activities.

Also nominated were Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Robert Smith & Son of Crewe.