Prima Makeup hailed best in the Black Country at Chamber business awards
A cruelty-free make-up company founded just two years ago has been hailed as the best business in the Black Country.
Prima Makeup, based in Stourbridge, was founded in August 2016 by company director Emma Moss, and won both the Start-up award at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards, but was also declared Business of the Year after an online vote at the awards event on Friday.
Prima as among the best of businesses from across the Black Country being acknowledged at the awards celebration at Wolverhampton Racecourse, hosted by comedian Milton Jones, star of Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo.
From scores of applications the final winners in each of the 10 award categories were revealed in front of more than 300 guest at an entertaining business celebration that encompassed comedy, music, casino tables and even a boat-shaped Prosecco bar.
The winners of the 10 categories in the 2018 Black Country Chamber Awards were:
Best Use of Technology, sponsored by Dudley College of Technology: Rotronics Battery Management Solutions
Customer Commitment Award, sponsored by the Black Country Business Festival: Blacks Vets
Education & Business Partnership, sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton: In-Comm Training & Business Services
Excellence in Manufacturing & Engineering, sponsored by Crowe UK: Staffordshire Horseboxes
Export Business of the Year, sponsored by Wolverhampton Racecourse: Morris Site Machinery
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Casino 36: KMB Shipping
Social Impact Champion, sponsored by Elonex: Steps to Work
Tony Andrews Start-Up Award, sponsored by DY5 – Dudley's Business & Innovation Enterprise Zone: Prima Make-Up
Workplace Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Midcounties Co-operative: Blacks Vets
Young Person or Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dudley: PLANit Global
The overall Award of the Year, sponsored by CEC Direct, was presented to Prima Make-Up. This award was chosen from the 10 category winners and voted on by the audience on the night.
The 2018 Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards, sponsored by business consultancy Neon Tiger, is an annual celebration that was established five years ago. Since that time, the awards have recognised more than 150 Black Country individuals and businesses for their fantastic achievements.
The 10 categories in awards are intended to reflect the strength and breadth of the colourful Black Country business community.
Julie Cunningham, president of the Black Country Chamber said, "Not only would I like to congratulate all the winners tonight, but I would like to acknowledge everyone who entered the 2018 Awards. There have been some phenomenal entries this year and the judges found it extremely difficult to narrow down the shortlist and winners.
"That is a real positive for the Black Country. With so much drive and enthusiasm, this region really has an outstanding and thriving business community that is second to none. Here at the Chamber, we are proud to support all our members as a trusted partner because we believe that business is done better together.
"Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to all the sponsors involved in this year's awards. I think everyone will agree it's been a wonderfully entertaining evening and I am sure, one that may well be remembered for a very long time."
Dawn Owen, managing director of Neon Tiger added, "It was just a fantastic evening from start to finish. Neon Tiger is delighted to have been headlining such an inspirational and impressive awards evening, featuring some of the best of business in the Black Country. I would also like to congratulate the winners which I felt were all thoroughly deserved!"
