Express & Star

Cameron Homes crowned Express & Star business of the year

Catch up on the highlights and all the winners from Express & Star Business Awards 2019.

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Celebrations for Cameron Homes which was named Business of the Year at the Express & Star Business Awards

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.

Business awards winners celebrate

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.”

Express & Star Business Awards host, sports broadcaster Johnny Phillips

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

Family Business of the Year winners Sam Gaunt and Jake Gaunt
Wealth Design Limited
From Crowe: Rob Gunn, Paul Cox, Julie Mole, Chasz Coulsting, Hayley Hill, Andy Kay, and Mark Evans
The team from Johnson Design Partnership
Jonathan Walker, Marta Cameron, Aliya Lam, and Mark Field from MAHLE Aftermarket
Rotech Laboratries
Rotronics
Staff from housebuilder Cameron Homes celebrated after bagging the top prize at last night's Express & Star Business Awards 2019
John Gough and Julia Jackett from The Way Youth Zone
Chris Green, Jamie Green, Laura Kane and Linda Green from Nant Limited
Andrew Barlow, Dan Cooper and Jamie Byrnes from Homeserve
Gareth Jones, Michaela Gibson, Paul Hodgetts and Liam Price from In-Comm Training and Business Services
Stephanie Millington, Patricia Brindle, Alex Brindle, John Brindle, Kerry Brindel and Kirsty Bowater from Diamond Fire
Staff from RB Windows arrive at the awards
Staff from FB Gaunt & Sons attending the event
Ian Dixon, Jeff Marlow and Mike Dixon from HugglePets
The team from Jet Express at the awards
The Rotech team were among those at the awards
Cheers! Staff from Marstons attending the event
More of the attendees at last night's Express & Star Business Awards
More of the attendees at last night's Express & Star Business Awards
More of the attendees at last night's Express & Star Business Awards
Stephanie Henson and Neil Lloyd from FBC Manby Bowdler
The team from Handicare Accessibility
Collins Aerospace staff attend last night's awards
Staff from Blacks Vets which won Best Place to Work sponsored by HomeServe
HomeServe Furniture Repairs won the award for Best use of Technology sponsored by Altodigital
F.P. Gaunt & Sons staff celebrate winning Family Business of the Year sponsored by Crowe
Marston's Beer Company won the Excellence in Customer Service award sponsored by East End Foods
Savesta Construction which won Young Business of the Year sponsored by Carvers Building Supplies
A&M EDM which won Manufacturing Champion sponsored by Collins Aerospace
Huxton Resourcing which won Micro Business of the Year sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council
Melvin Sinar from Petford Group who was named Business Person of the Year sponsored by Marston's
Homeserve Furniture Repairs was named Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year sponsored by Higgs & Sons

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