For the second year running, Chester Cathedral will provide the spectacular backdrop for the Cheshire Business Awards gala ceremony.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, October 2.

Judges had a very difficult decision in deciding the finalists especially as entries were up on 2014.

There are 27 business shortlisted over 10 categories plus the Judges Choice Award handed to a stand out business from all of those selected as finalists, and the coveted Outstanding Achievement Award. There is no shortlist for this award.

Cheshire Business Awards 2015

The judges have chosen a winner who who stands out from the crowd, has an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrates outstanding achievement and inspires others around them.

The winner of this award will have been instrumental to the success of their business, growing the reputation of both their business and the region.

We will be tweeting live from the event so follow us @CheshireAwards and get involved with #CBA15.

The awards are made possible with thanks to headline sponsors SAS Daniels and category sponsors: Find It in Cheshire and Warrington, Your Housing Group, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, The Mersey Forest, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Blue Orchid, ScottishPower, Net West, Metronet (UK) Ltd, Bentley Motors and EA Technology.

Andy Phelan, business development director at Trinity Mirror Cheshire and North Wales, delivers his introductory speech at the start of the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards
Andy Phelan, business development director at Trinity Mirror Cheshire and North Wales, delivers his introductory speech at the start of the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards

Andy Phelan, business development director Cheshire and North Wales, Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales, said: “Trinity Mirror Cheshire is extremely proud to be hosting this event for the 12th successive year.

“We are proud to be associated with terrific sponsors and our huge thanks go to key partners SAS Daniels LLP who have supported this event magnificently in the past few years.

We are delighted with the quality and quantity of entries this year and these awards celebrate the best of the best in terms of the companies and the people who have helped grow prosperity and confidence in this region.

“Thanks to all of you for being a part of the Cheshire Business Awards this year.”

Host of the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards, Granada Reports TV presenter Lucy Meacock
Host of the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards, Granada Reports TV presenter Lucy Meacock

Once again the awards will be hosted by popular Granada TV news presenter and former Chester Chronicle journalist Lucy Meacock.

Lucy is the face of Granada Reports – a show she has anchored for more than 25 years – and is one of Britain’s longest serving news and current affairs presenters.

She said: “This is one of my favourite events of the year. It’s great to see new businesses arrive and thrive here. It’s also a brilliant way to recognise the enormous amount of hard work by some of our long-established companies. We need constant investment in our people so we don’t lose our best talent.”

Main sponsor SAS Daniels LLP is delighted that Cheshire is now recognised internationally as a centre for high-growth and prosperity.

They work closely with a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs and continue to commit a high level of support to develop and promote Cheshire as a destination for business excellence.

Guests take their seats at the tables at Chester Cathedral as the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards prepares to get under way
Guests take their seats at the tables at Chester Cathedral as the 2014 Cheshire Business Awards prepares to get under way

They are the proud sponsors of the awards for the sixth year running.

As on-going supporters of Cheshire Business Awards, SAS Daniels has experienced first hand how the event continues to showcase great businesses and individuals whose drive and talent contribute to make the region a vibrant, successful and diverse place both to live and work.

SAS Daniels is delighted to be announcing this year’s Business Person of the Year Award 2015. This award recognises the positive influence, drive and commitment of key individuals and the work they do to bring about growth and development in their own businesses and for the people who work in them, as well as contributing to the development of Cheshire as a premier business region.

SAS Daniels looks forward to celebrating the success of Cheshire alongside other exceptional professionals and businesses on what will undoubtedly be another memorable evening.

Kaye Whitby, head of SAS Daniels’ Chester office and Cheshire Business Awards’ judge, said: “As on-going supporters of Cheshire Business Awards, we have experienced first hand how the event continues to bring together the exceptional businesses and individuals who make the region an exciting and diverse place to work. We are looking forward to the awards and hope that all attending have an enjoyable and inspirational evening.”

The judging panel consisted of: Andy Phelan, Business Development Director, Trinity Mirror Cheshire & North Wales; Kaye Whitby, Head of the Commercial team, SAS Daniels; Jeremy Orrell, Head of the Corporate team, SAS Daniels; Paul Ward, Operations Director, Blue Orchid; Dave Furnival, Director, Chester and North Cheshire Business Banking, Nat West; Clare Schofield, Associate Dean for Knowledge Transfer, University of Chester.

The finalists are:

Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by Find It In Cheshire & Warrington:

Brookfield Rose

Barlows (UK) LTD

Regatta

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Your Housing Group:

Chess

Balluff Limited

Reckless

Corporate Social Responsibility Award, sponsored by TBC:

Overwater Marina

Prism Solutions Ltd

Unipart Rail Ltd

Innovation and Enterprise Award, sponsored by Trinity Mirror Cheshire:

Beer Dock

Clever Advisor Technology Limited

Lawyer Checker Ltd

EA Technology Limited

Green Business Award, sponsored by The Mersey Forest:

Heaton House Events

Staycold Export Ltd & holding company ESP Ventures Ltd

Hero Renewables Ltd

Start Up Award, sponsored by Cheshire West & Chester in association with Blue Orchid:

Bexy Boo

JG Creative

The Contemporary

Business of the Year (up to 10 employees), sponsored by ScottishPower:

Footsqueek Ltd

Zippy Baby Limited

Staycold Export Ltd & holding company ESP Venture

Business of the Year (11 to 50 employees), sponsored by Nat West:

Complete Sports Solutions

Direct Food Ingredients Ltd

Reckless

Business of the Year (over 50 employees), sponsored by Metronet (UK) Ltd:

People Potential Possibilities

Encirc Group

ITC Luxury Travel Group

Young Business Person, sponsored by Bentley Motors:

Jenny Owen, Lawyer Checker

Samuel McGarrigle, Beer Dock

Tom Smith, Car Tinting UK Ltd

Judges’ Choice Award, sponsored by EA Technology:

There is no shortlist for this award, the winner has been selected by the judges from all of the entries received.

Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by SAS Daniels LLP:

The winner of this award has been specifically selected by the judges and will be revealed at the awards ceremony.