Cameron Homes crowned Express & Star business of the year
Catch up on the highlights and all the winners from Express & Star Business Awards 2019.
Housebuilder Cameron Homes landed the top award at the glittering Express & Star Business Awards 2019.
Brierley Hill business Homeserve Furniture Repairs also enjoyed double awards success at the awards dinner on Thursday evening in the EBC Suite at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Awards host Johnny Phillips, the Sky Sports presenter, announced Chasetown-based Cameron Homes as the winners of the overall Business of the Year award, sponsored by the Express & Star itself.
Midland News Association print managing director Graeme Clifford presented the trophy to the jubilant Cameron Homes team.
Judges said it was a successful housebuilder which has retained its family ethic while improving turnover and profitability significantly year on year, with its team demonstrating exceptional customer service.
See below for the full list of winners and runner's up
See our winners picture gallery in a Business special in Tuesday's E&S
Wolves fan Johnny had opened the evening telling the guest at the sell-out event: “After such a fantastic season for Nuno and the boys which has resulted in the return of European football to the city, it is great to welcome you to a celebration of the best of the region’s business sector.
“And that invitation even extends to the Albion fans among you this evening! Good luck in the Championship next season.”
Johnny said that even to have been shortlisted in the tough business competition was a fantastic achievement.
Three awards were presented before dinner, with the first winner Black Vets, of Dudley, who received the Best Place to Work award from Greg Reed from the category sponsor HomeServe.
GALLERY: Highlights of the night
WATCH: Celebrations at the Express & Star Business Awards
Wellbeing
Judges said Blacks Vets was an excellent example of how an organisation has implemented programmes to support colleagues’ careers and mental wellbeing as they care for animals and their owners.
Best Use of Technology went to Homeserve Furniture Repairs, which has grown rapidly over the last five years and had developed its own customer relationship management system, with the presentation made on behalf of sponsors Altodigital by MNA director Chris Leggett.
Family Business of the Year, sponsored by Crowe, went to Rowley Regis funeral directors F P Gaunt & Sons, which has been in business since 1900.
Judges were impressed with how it had identified new opportunities and was providing a separate low-cost funeral service.
Following dinner the Excellence in Customer Service category was won by Wolverhampton-based Marston’s Beer Company with Indi and Jasbir Wouhra from sponsor East End Foods making the presentation.
The judges were enthused by Marston’s Beer Company’s exceptional care, thought and dedication, which is offered to every customer.
Finalists Wealth Design Group, of Cannock, were highly commended for their entry.
Young Business of the Year went to Savesta Construction, of Wolverhampton, with Henry Carver and Neil Kendrick from sponsors Carvers Building Supplies, a long-time supporter of the awards, presenting the trophy.
Savesta was set up quickly following the fall of Carillion after founder Samuel Hudman recognised the demand and opportunity to become a well-run construction main contractor.
Smethwick’s A&M EDM was winner of the Manufacturing Champion category and James Holland from sponsor Collins Aerospace made the presentation
Dedication
Judges praised the company policy on recycling materials and waste and its strong focus on environmental responsibility.
Tim Johnson, managing director of the City of Wolverhampton Council, which sponsored Micro Business of the Year, handed over the trophy to city firm Huxton Resourcing. The specialist recruiter’s amazing dedication to its work and professionalism impressed the judges.
The Business Person of the Year award was won by Melvin Sinar, managing director of Dudley-based Petford Group with Richard Westwood from category sponsor Marston’s handing him the trophy.
Mr Sinar has overseen the large growth of Petford Group, mostly due to his relentless drive and determination. Judges said his desire to stay ahead of competitors was evident in the bold decisions he had made.
Homeserve Furniture Repairs’ second award of the night was as Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year. Richard Griffiths and Kathryn Small from law firm Higgs & Sons, who sponsored the category, made the presentation.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre sponsored the drinks reception at the start of the evening which was put on by production company and associate sponsor Yarrington. Star Public Relations, the racecourse and the theatre were also associate sponsors.
The evening was also raising funds for The Way Youth Zone, based in Wolverhampton.
WATCH: More highlights from this year's ceremony
All the winners from the big night:
Best Place to Work sponsored by HomeServe
Winner: Blacks Vets
Finalists: The Kaleidoscope Plus Group and whg
Best Use of Technology sponsored by Altodigital
Winner: Homeserve Furniture Repairs
Finalists: Coinadrink and Rotronics Battery Management Solutions
Family Business of the Year sponsored by Crowe
Winner: F P Gaunt & Sons
Finalists: Diamond Fire & Security and RB Windows, Doors and Conservatories
Excellence in Customer Service sponsored by East End Foods
Winner: Marston’s Beer Company
Finalists: Nant and Wealth Design Group
Young Business of the Year sponsored by Carvers Building Supplies
Winner: Savesta Construction
Finalists: Jet Express, Silvaman Group and SMART Ballustrades
Manufacturing Champion sponsored by Collins Aerospace
Winner: A&M EDM
Finalists: CS Labels, Somers Forge and MJ Sections
Micro Business of the Year sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council
Winner: Huxton Resourcing
Finalists: Hayden Kilkelly Independent Financial Advisors and Johnson Design Partnership
Business Person of the Year sponsored by Marston’s
Winner: Melvin Sinar, Petford Group
Finalists: Neil Lloyd, FBC Manby Bowdler, and Greg Reed, HomeServe UK
Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year sponsored by Higgs & Sons
Winner: Homeserve Furniture Repairs
Finalists: Midwest Motor Factors, In-Comm Training and Rotech Laboratories
Business of the Year sponsored by Express & Star
Winner: Cameron Homes
Finalists: Handicare Accessibility and MAHLE Aftermarket