Meet the 11 Express & Star Business Awards 2024 winners

The black-tie Express & Star Business Awards event also included two special recognition awards. They were made to John Donovan from JJX Logistics, Kingswinford, who was praised as an inspirational manager and exceptional role model, and apprentice Matthew Randle, of Dreamland, for his work to transform the business.

The awards, which were attended by nearly 350 guests, were hosted by Des Coleman, the Central television weatherman and actor.

The evening raised £2,500 for the Midlands Air Ambulance based at Cosford.

1) Young Business of the Year

Sponsored by Carvers

The first award of the evening went to UK Fire Door Training.

Managing director John Millard said it was an “amazing feeling” to be recognised as Young Business of the Year.

“I’m thrilled to have won, but it is all down to a great team at UK Fire Door Training,” he said. “I think that this success will help us to grow as we have a big expansion plan ahead.

“There is plenty more to come from us in the future.”

Andy Brabazon from sponsors Carvers presented the award to the Staffordshire business that is on course to top £1 million annual turnover.

The company, based at Modular Court, Enterprise Drive, Four Ashes, was started with a modest £10,000 investment.

UK Fire Door Training, which employs five, sells online and holds classroom and practical fire door training courses.

It was established under the leadership of Andrew and Pauline Millard in April 2021 with day-to-day operations managed by their son Jonny Millard.

At the heart of its success has been effective leadership and a management ethos that is steeped in collaboration and informed decision-making.

It has revolutionised the fire door training industry by replacing outdated methods with comprehensive courses that are designed with a keen understanding of varied learning styles.

Marketing has involved harnessing the power of Google ads and e-mail marketing.

The business has also invested heavily in its own staff development with a focus on professional growth.

It is now delivering around 1,000 courses a year and plans to diversify into new training areas such as retrofit training and extinguisher handling in the future.

UK Fire Door Training moved to its current state-of-the-art training facility near to Wolverhampton in October.

The business is now poised for the next phase of growth with a clear vision to cement its status as a leading training provider for the built environment, both in the UK and internationally. UK Fire Door Training has a sense of pride in its past achievements and an unyielding optimism for the future.

Its commitment to excellence is reflected in a 4.8 Trustpilot rating, a testament to the efficacy and relevance of its CPD approved and FireQual recognised programmes.

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2) Business Person of the Year

Sponsored by Richardson

The APC’s chief executive Jonathan Smith could not be at the awards to receive the Business Person of the Year trophy due to other commitments.

But speaking after the awards Mr Smith said that it meant the world to him to have won and everyone at the business was really proud of the award.

He has been in his position with the Cannock-based independent parcel delivery network for nine years.

Judges said they were inspired by his strong values and passion for the business as well as his appreciation for his wider team.

Mr Smith was said to be making great use of technology to drive efficiency but at the same time was looking after his staff through training and development as well as equal opportunity and wellbeing programmes.

The APC has grown to have around 100 depots nationally and has sortation centres at Cannock and Essington.

Mr Smith said The APC’s customer base was 32,000 small and medium-sized businesses.

“The key to our success is knowing what we are good at and sticking to it and not being diverted,” said Mr Smith.

When the business hired him, the board was looking for someone with industry clout, who understood the challenges the sector faced, and the importance of valuing its people as a number one priority.

Since joining Mr Smith has faced the challenges posed by the wider industry and business environment head-on and has transformed The APC into an employer of choice for a wide range of employees from all backgrounds and experience levels and created an environment where people can grow and progress

Last year, he also led a number of investments, including investing in 40 new double-deck trailers to its fleet.

3) Growth and Innovation Award

Massive investment in new machinery and infrastructure helped Metelec to win the Growth and Innovation award.

Proud managing director Kevin Draper said the award success was a huge testament to the whole team at Metelec.

Mr Draper said that Metelec had experienced a huge year over the last 12 months.

In Ireland Metelec moved to new premises that would enable it to grow in April and the move from Walsall to the new multi-million pound headquarters at Featherstone, near Wolverhampton, has been completed.

“It has been a brand new start for the distribution business,” he explained.

Mr Draper said he was really pleased to be recognised by the Express & Star.

“I want to congratulate the newspaper for its 150th anniversary – our own group celebrated its own 200th anniversary last year,” he said.

“What we have been trying to do is take a traditional industry through modernisation and exploring new markets including electrification and the transition to green energy.

“Getting this award is a huge recognition for what our team has been doing.

“This award is for the whole team who have been absolutely superb through the move and in keeping us growing,” said Mr Draper.

Judges were impressed by the levels of investment the business had made in new machinery and infrastructure to provide a sustainable supply chain.

Delivering value and a high quality service for customers was also an important factor.

Metelec, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of specialist copper products, is based at Hilton Cross Business Park.

It has had a long-standing presence in the West Midlands as a metal stockholder but the last year has seen the business move to the next level, developing as a supply chain solution provider to the electrical industry and as a manufacturer of added value components.

The larger headquarters at Feathersotne has allowed Metelec to maintain industry-leading stock levels, while adding space for the new machinery needed for future manufacturing.

The new building offers first-class facilities, including multi-functional rooms for staff events, high specification showers and modern amenities.

Metelec’s business model goes far beyond being a traditional supplier, with an advanced manufacturing design service capable of producing specialist, bespoke copper products to customer specification at remarkable pace.

The business operates a machine capacity reservation programme with its vertically integrated parent product supplier. This allows Metelec to order specific products by machine at very short lead time, enabling a fast and responsive service and helping to optimise working capital. Metelec’s customers can often require products at short notice as their own construction projects are fluid and can develop at pace.

Using the latest manufacturing design software in combination with a comprehensive stock range, Metelec has the capability to produce busbars and kits of parts for switchgear assembly modules. These may be for one off requirement or long-term repeat orders.

Metelec is making a significant contribution in EV charging infrastructure by supplying and developing the copper busbar solutions used in charging station feeder pillars and within the switchgear and transformer systems necessary at the charging station/grid interface.

AI is also fuelling another area of growth with an increase in data centres. Copper has a massive role to play in powering these huge data centres – and Metelec’s business plan is to capitalise on this revolution by developing the products and services required.

Metelec is a trusted supply chain partner to a growing number of switchgear specialists, serving a wide variety of sectors.

The business also serves the high growth areas of data centres and electric vehicle charging infrastructure and emerging opportunities in wide-scale electrification, and infrastructure associated with the green energy transition.

4) Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by Black County and Marches Institute of Technology

Apprentice of the Year was Sophie Chester, who works for ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions in Willenhall.

She said she was a bit shocked to have been called to the stage but was really happy to be taking home the award.

“I think it is recognition for the business as a whole as well as myself.

“It is a really good company to work for,” added Sophie, who has been at the business for 18 months.

She received the award from Neil Thomas of sponsors The Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology.

Sophie impressed the judges by developing a detailed knowledge of her employer and the company’s products and was found to display outstanding service to its customers.

Her drive and focus had made her an integral part of the team and someone who was relied upon by her colleagues.

She is described by the company as a rising star and leader of the future and is said to have had a positive impact since joining in October 2022.

Sophie is often a first contact point for customers of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions.

Sophie offers first line support to the company’s sales, field and technical teams.

She works in an extremely complex business unit support customers within critical national infrastructure, original equipment manufacturing channels and she seamlessly navigates different sectors such as healthcare, education, student accommodation and many more.

This ability to adapt and excel in such a demanding market not only highlights her versatility, but showcases her as an role model for apprenticeships, as she is managing tasks on par with colleagues who have been working in the profession for many years.

Her enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge in every facet of customer service is described as commendable.

5) Employee of the Year

Sponsored by Wombourne Windows

Employee of the Year winner Lydia Hopley said she was “shocked and very surprised” to have won.

She has worked for The APC at Cannock for five years and is Cannock born and bred.

She said she couldn’t wait to take the trophy back to show to her colleagues at the firm.

“I was up against so many great nominees it was a surprise to win.”

Lydia, health and safety administrator, received the award from John Brookes of sponsors Wombourne Windows.

Judges said that they were impressed by the optimism and commitment she had shown.

She was described as a good communicator with great determination and clear vision.

The APC chief executive Jonathan Smith said Lydia had played an important role in the company achieving the gold ROSPA health and safety award for the first time.

“Safety is the highest priority for The APC.

“We believe that if you have a safe workforce you have a happy workforce.”

Mr Smith said that he was very proud to see her recognised at the awards.

Lydia joined the independent parcel delivery network in 2019.

Over the last five years she has supported multiple areas of the business before landing her feet firmly in the quality, health and safety team at the national sortation centre in Cannock.

She began her journey at The APC as part of the network services team providing valuable support to depots and customers, maintaining The APC’s high standards of service. During this role, Lydia quickly established her strong listening skills and the ability to work methodically.

Throughout her time in the customer relations team, Lydia developed her passion for helping others and in June 2020, she applied for a new role within The APC’s quality, health and safety team as health and safety administrator, which gave her the opportunity to further develop her skills and turned her passion for helping others into a reality.

Her outstanding work ethic was recognised by her peers and The APC’s senior leadership team, and she was promoted to the role of quality, health and safety adviser two years later.

She has been instrumental in driving best-practice across health and safety practices; reviewing all risk assessments, implementing Covid-19 guidelines, and continually developing health and safety training materials. She has also invested her time and attention in raising awareness around mental health in the business

Lydia is said to have gone above and beyond in supporting the business and has played an active role in many external events and campaigns, and represented the business at careers fairs.

Lydia also led an internal campaign to provide free sanitary products to female colleagues across both the day and night operations, helping to save the business over £500 a year by removing chargeable dispensers, and instead, providing the products for free in all facilities across the site.

The quality, health and safety team has enabled the business to achieve consistent year-on-year reductions in incidents and accidents along with achieving silver RoSPA certification for the fourth consecutive year.

Lydia has been testament to these efforts, and was recently awarded colleague of the year for her commitment to the business and driving forward health and safety initiatives,.

Colin Rann, operations director at The APC, said: “Lydia marked her values and commitment to the business from day one, sharing with colleagues her desire to build a career with The APC, not just a job. She’s committed, professional and is truly dedicated to improving the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees; the results of which are evidenced in the business recently achieving the RoSPA silver award for the fourth consecutive year.”

6) Small to Medium-sized Business of the Year

Sponsored by Higgs

An exceptional record on exporting helped Addfield Environmental Systems land the Small to Medium-sized Business of the Year category.

All departments from the Burntwood business were represented on the company’s tables at the awards.

Managing director Derek Carr, who has more than a decade of experience in the incineration and thermal treatment industry, said he was very proud to win the award.

“This is not just for the company but for the team and recognises all their hard work,” he stressed.

He said that Addfield was making a real difference around the world.

Since 2007 it has gone on to export to 150 countries around the globe.

The growth of the business was exceeding 25 per cent a year.

“There are exciting times ahead for Addfield. The award will help motivate us and assist with our ongoing growth,” Mr Carr added. On the day after the awards a special breakfast was laid on for the team as a thank you and to display the award.

Joel Nixon from category sponsors Higgs LLP presented the award.

7) Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Business of the Year

Sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council

The team at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust was delighted to be named Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Business of the Year.

Trust chief executive Traci Dix-Williams said the award was all down to the team.

She said the trust’s story went back 60 years and started with two young lads who did not want to see the Dudley Canal tunnel closed.

“There is something for everyone now at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust,” she added.

Trustee Ian Watson said he could not believe that the charity had won.

“I’m really chuffed at this considering we were up against something so fantastic as the RAF Cosford Air Show.

“It is all down to Traci as chief executive, our team of staff and all of the volunteers who give so much time.”

Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust’s boat trips have been operating for more than 60 years.

The former Dudley Canal Trust, which includes Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust Enterprises, is now a leading Black Country visitor attraction.

It operates from its base at The Portal on Birmingham New Road offering guided, educational and informative trips into caverns that are 425 million years old through tunnels and waterways dating from the Industrial Revolution.

The trust, which employs 30, has invested in being a vibrant part of the area as well as being an ambassador for tourism for the wider region. As a charitable trust it is dedicated to preserving a unique and important geological and industrial heritage.

It has built new tunnels to create safer and more engaging interpretations and routes and adapted its fleet of five boats to be more environmentally friendly, accessible and safe by being battery powered.

Recently the trust has undertaken a 3D laser scan of the environment, above-ground, below-ground and underwater to help it better understand the structural integrity of the caverns and tunnels.

During lockdown the trust secured funding and added interpretation and activities. This included information trails about the industrial and geological landscapes, boats and canal network, a learning through play themed boat area for younger visitors and added digital and hands-on exhibitions to its free Biffa Exhibition Gallery.

It also developed a large activity area dedicated to educating children about the importance of caring for the canals, wildlife and the area around them.

2022 saw the launch of paddleboard tours through the caverns and it has engaged a wider audience. Nearly 2,000 paddleboarders and kayakers have taken up this offer.

The trust’s volunteering program gives people opportunities to get involved, give back to the community, make friends and learn new skills. It was recognised in 2022 with the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award and one of the volunteers received a British Empire Medal in 2023.

8) Employee Wellness Excellence Award

Sponsored by MNA Digital

The new Employee Wellness Excellence Award went to Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track.

Head of HR Sarah Hayes said she was proud to see the company’s efforts rewarded.

Chief executive Stuart Godman said it had been a real team effort and he was delighted to see the business recognised in this way.

Judges said they were won over by the company’s engagement with their local community and partners, with staff often volunteering to help with key local projects.

Pallet-Track was said to have a strong company DNA focused on safety, employee wellbeing and having fun.

The palletised network has its base at Titan Distribution Centre, Millfields Road, Ettingshall, where 180 are employed.

Pallet-Track has a strong retention record, with many of the staff celebrating long-term work anniversaries. More than a fifth of the workforce have more than 10 years’ service with the logistics business.

Pallet-Track prides itself on service, innovation, strength and lasting symbiotic relationships and supporting colleagues with their successes, their challenges, and their overall wellness.

Chief executive Stuart Godman proudly leads the business with a people-centric agenda and non-hierarchical structure, where everyone from the executives on the board, to the team in the warehouse, has the exact same importance and respect.

Many colleague programmes and initiatives have been introduced, covering wellness, environment, culture, flexible policies as well as an ongoing commitment to learning and development. All of which have been well received by the team

This year Pallet-Track celebrated its 20th year in business with internal celebrations included commemorative fleeces for everyone in the team and an event held at the Black Country Living Museum with food, drinks, and bingo.

9) Family Business of the Year

Sponsored by Crowe

The team from Play @ Lower Drayton Farm were thrilled to take home the Family Business of the Year award.

Business partners Raymond Bower and Val James received the award from Jonathan Dudley of sponsors Crowe.

Farmer Mr Bower said it was a real family business and he was honoured to win the category. Events director Val said: “We are just very proud to be the family business winner. It is recognition for all the hard work that has been done. Over the course of the year we have 66 staff working for us including some students in their holidays.”

Diversification has been at the heart of the success of Lower Drayton Farm over many years.

“We are still a farm and continue to farm as well as everything else we do these days,” said Mr Bower.

Three years after its launch, Play @ Lower Drayton Farm is established as one of the leading farm attractions in the Midlands.

The farm park, between Penkridge and Stafford, is open all year around for families to enjoy.

One of the greatest successes has been school visits. Between the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years, the number of school visits grew by 270 per cent from 40 to 108

10) Manufacturing Champion

Sponsored by Collins Aerospace

Brierley Hill business Alloy Wire International took home the Manufacturing Champion Award.

Managing director Tom Mander was delighted to see the business in Narrowboat Way, Hurst Business Park, recognised for it manufacturing prowess.

“We have never done an awards like this before and I didn’t think we would come out on top.

“I am so pleased that we have won and I’m thrilled for our team. It is all down to the guys – they are world class at what they do,” he said. Mr Mander said that Alloy Wire International was all about the sum of its parts.

“There is great team work and a special culture at AWI.

“To win an award that reflects that special culture is amazing,” he added,

Alloy Wire International is the UK’s leading manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire in more than 60 exotic alloys.

The company was formed in 1999 and employs 33.

AWI has grown to have a 6,000-strong global customer base spanning 18 different markets.

11) Business of the Year

Sponsored by Express & Star

Fast growing Inco Contracts was crowned Business of the Year in the Express & Star Business Awards 2024.

Delighted directors Sam Norton and Dan Cottrell said that Inco’s success was down to a team effort. “For us it is about our people. Without them we would be nothing,” said Mr Norton.

Mr Cottrell said the team of staff at Inco had put in an exceptional effort.

Inco, which has been going for 14 years, underwent a management buyout back in 2020.

Mr Norton said the business had grown from £12 million turnover to one that was targetting £40m this year.

Judges praised the company’’s strong links to local charities and good causes.

The principal contractor, based at Dunston Business Village, near Stafford, delivers hundreds of turnkey commercial refurbishment schemes.

When Dave Cotterill and Sam Norton completed the MBO, the company employed 13 and revenues were £12 million.

Both had spent several years as contracts managers prior to the deal, supporting former managing director Chris Ingram.

Led by the passion, tenacity and youthful energy of the new management team, Inco Contracts has posted record-breaking £36m sales, driven by new offices in the North West and the South giving nationwide coverage. Staff numbers have also almost trebled to 38.