Nuclear firm takes top title
A company which is at the cutting edge of Britain's nuclear industry has been named as the Black Country Chamber's Business of the Year.
Nuclear Engineering Services (NESL) of Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, received the accolade at the chamber's annual banquet at Wolverhampton Racecourse last night.
Chamber president Peter Mathews said: "All our finalists are doing a tremendous job, but NESL is a truly outstanding example of a company that is putting the Black Country on the world map.
"The scale of their projects is hugely impressive, proving that here in the Black Country we have the skills, ambition and ability to deliver major projects of international significance."
The banquet, sponsored by Merry Hill shopping centre owners Westfield, was attended by more than 300 business, civic and political leaders.
Guest speakers were Alan Duncan, Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Derek Thompson of Channel 4 Racing and Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion. Chamber members were competing for prizes in seven categories.
NESL also won the Innovation Through Technology award, sponsored by Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor, before going on to lift the Gold Medal and Champion of Champions title.
NESL provides a range of products and services to the nuclear, defence and industrial sector.
The company employs 145 people and has a projected turnover this year of £12 million.
Other category winners were: DA Stuart of Wolverhampton (Exporter of the Year); Matthew Horan and Andy Fletcher of Solutions 4 IT, Cradley Heath (Entrepreneur of the Year); Windsor Castle Brewery, Lye (Most Promising New Business); Paycare of Wolverhampton (Commitment to the Community); Freshway Foods of Wolverhampton (Skills and Workforce Development) and Sarah Powell of Midcounties Co-operative (Young Professional of the Year).
