Express & Star Business Awards 2026: Meet the finalists - Business of the Year

The shortlisted finalists have been announced for the Business of the Year category of the Express & Star Business Awards 2026.

The award, sponsored by Doocey Group, aims to celebrate top performing businesses. Judges have been looking at commercial performance, leadership and management skills, commitment to customers, innovation, as well as investment in staff and commitment to the local community.

Pallet-Track

Pallet-Track, part of northstarr Group, enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2025, with industry leading service standards, record revenues, record profits while also undergoing its biggest ever operational change by moving its central hub.

Through strategic innovation, operational precision, and an unwavering commitment to shareholder and customer success, Pallet-Track in Wolverhampton has transformed complex logistical challenges into measurable value for its colleagues, customers, shareholder members and stakeholders.

From 2023 to 2025, the business has achieved a 22.5 per cent growth in top line revenue. Market share has also been taken with 11.1 per cent growth in volumes, versus just 1.6 per cent growth across the sector.

The business has prioritised improving service performance while cutting costs and its environmental impact. Its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy reflects its belief that logistics plays a vital role not only in the movement of goods but also in supporting the local communities.

The business also engages with the community through several initiatives and charity partnerships and to date has raised more than £90,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance, with a total pledge of £150k by the end of 2028.

The company has also provided more than 500 free match day experience tickets with the Walsall FC Foundation and completed more than 100 volunteer hours in 2025, among other sponsorships of local causes.

Pallet-Track prioritises health and wellbeing and is proud of its high staff retention rate, with 51 per cent of office colleagues having been with the company more than five years.

The organisation’s business model means 25 per cent of the business is owned by shareholder members - hence its motto ‘Stronger Together’.

Coinadrink

Coinadrink Limited, in Walsall, thrives on trust, service, and innovation. In recent years the business has achieved growth, introduced the Smart Fridge, and maintained a focus on employee wellbeing.

The company is a leading family-run vending and refreshment provider operating across the Midlands and beyond, with a turnover of approximately £7.7 million and a workforce of 76 employees. Established in 1962, the business has evolved from a traditional vending operator into a technology-led, data-driven refreshment solutions provider.

Today, Coinadrink prides itself on being one of the region’s most established and forward-thinking companies in its sector, combining strong commercial performance with innovation, service excellence and long-term customer relationships.

The business is led by managing director Tom Williams, supported by a highly capable eight-strong management team with decades of combined industry knowledge.

Commercially, Coinadrink has delivered strong and resilient performance through a diversified customer base spanning manufacturing, corporate offices, healthcare, education and specialist sectors. This diversification proved critical following disruption in the automotive sector caused by a cyber-related shutdown affecting Jaguar Land Rover’s supply chain.

Innovation is a defining feature of Coinadrink’s strategy. Over recent years, the business has invested approximately £500,000 in new technology to transform its service offering. Central to this investment is a bespoke live data platform that collects and analyses real-time information from vending machines across the estate. This system enables the business to move from reactive replenishment models to predictive, data-led service planning. By analysing sales trends, machine performance, and site-specific consumption patterns, Coinadrink can anticipate demand and optimise service routes with greater precision.

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics now play a key role in forecasting customer usage.

Meanwhile, the company’s commitment to customers is reflected in its consistently high service standards and measurable operational performance.

Community engagement also remains an important part of Coinadrink’s identity. The business actively supports charitable initiatives and encourages employee participation in fundraising and volunteering activities.

S&R Construction

A modern-day Black Country business success story, S&R Construction is one of the UK's fastest growing multi-utilities and groundworks providers.

The family-run business has evolved from three people and a van to one that provides the foundations for some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK, completing gas reinstatement works, laying cabling and water pipes.

Approaching 30 years in business, S&R Construction employs more than 350 people at its HQ in Kingswinford and across multiple live sites in the Midlands, the North and South.

The last 12 months have been a record year for the business, with revenues rising past £51m for the first time, a seven per cent growth from 2024 and 150 per cent growth since 2020.

It has also introduced its own traffic management arm, and this has gone from a standing start to £1.8m in just 18 months.

Group operating profits increased to £4.6m due to a combination of contract successes and operational efficiency gains introduced across the business, which prides itself on 98 per cent of jobs being completed on time, to budget and with the highest health and safety standards.

Earlier this year the company celebrated the transformation of the dilapidated 2.3-acre ‘William Press’ site in Kingswinford into a state-of-the-art £8m headquarters, designed with employee wellbeing in mind, with staff invited to shape the new facilities which include a fully-equipped gym on site. It also has its own training academy.

The company has created 50 new jobs since 2025 and, through partnerships with local colleges, has welcomed 10 apprentices.

Topgear Tuning

Topgear Tuning has been transforming the global automotive performance industry through innovation, scalable growth, and a strong commitment to customer excellence.

It operates more than 750 dealers worldwide and has delivered advanced ECU remapping solutions to more than one million vehicles.

The business has achieved exceptional commercial growth by combining a high demand service with a scalable, technology driven business model. Operating across B2B and B2B2C channels, the company enables independent garages and entrepreneurs to unlock new, high margin revenue streams through its proven remapping platform.

Its global dealer network continues to expand rapidly, driven by strong partner retention and demand for performance and efficiency solutions - offering gains of up to 30 per cent in performance and up to 15 per cent in fuel efficiency.

Recurring revenue through dealer subscriptions, software licensing and ongoing support services ensures financial resilience and long term sustainability and this positioned Topgear Tuning as a market leader and a growth engine within the automotive aftermarket sector.

Customer experience is also a defining strength of Topgear Tuning, with every service designed to deliver tangible, reliable improvements, enhancing vehicle performance, drivability and efficiency without compromising safety.

Trust is further reinforced through warranties and a commitment to safe, tested software.

The company continually invests in advanced ECU technologies, in house file development and data driven calibration techniques to remain ahead of industry trends.

The business recently adopted AI technology that enables automatic calibration returns to customers which has reduced response times and eased workloads for staff, allowing them to focus on vital tasks,

Topgear Tuning is also committed to supporting Compton Care, which provides specialist end of life care; and it prioritises employing staff from the local area.

Pace Group

The Senior Team at The Pace Group has driven exceptional growth, transforming Deltron Lifts into a nationally recognised, people-focused, innovative business, increasing revenue from £1m to more than £32m since 2018.

The company has established itself as one of the UK’s most recognised lift and elevator brands, with strong leadership and management driving this.

By appointing key senior stakeholders including a chief financial officer, chief operations officer, head of business development, group sales director and head of commercial and corporate the team has built a robust, nationally capable leadership structure.

Investment in front-of-house development and service coverage ensures nationwide reach, while an ESG score of 84 per cent and a Net Promoter Score consistently above 86 per cent highlight the focus on responsible, customer-driven performance.

Renowned for its unwavering commitment to customers, the business has become one of the most trusted and respected brands in the sector.

Innovation is central to its ethos - more than 60 per cent of the fleet is electric, renewable energy solutions are maximised, IT equipment is recycled to local schools, and key products and components are manufactured in-house, ensuring efficiency, sustainability and quality.

Investment in people is also prioritised. Staff development, career progression and reward schemes are complemented by internal open forums that encourage transparency, collaboration, and engagement, creating a motivated, high-performing workforce.

The company also actively supports the local community - including raising more than £30,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice as well as supporting Birmingham Children’s Trust.

School of Coding

School of Coding & AI has grown from a bedroom start-up in 2017 into the UK's largest coding and computer science education provider.

It has enjoyed a journey of remarkable ambition, impact and commercial growth to date.

The business reaches more than 5,200 learners each month, engages 7,000 children weekly, and supports more than 800 adults per month in gaining digital and AI skills. It holds active partnerships with 250-plus schools, six local authorities, five universities and governments across 11 European countries.

Through active participation in more than 27 international research projects, including those funded by Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, the organisation has delivered impactful work across inclusive digital education, AI in healthcare, female entrepreneurship, circular economy and green skills development. Projects include Coding 4 Migrant Women, 3D Autism, Digital Finance 4 Youth, Grow and Sell, CAIR 4 Youth and the AIM project supporting small businesses in AI adoption.

Last year the organisation unveiled a £2.5 million state-of-the-art tech lab at its Birmingham campus, offering AI labs, an interactive AI avatar, game design facilities, a podcast room and an in-house research centre.

The centre aims to offer every adult in the region free training on the everyday use of AI. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker personally attended the launch, describing AI skills training as a priority for the region.

The organisation then invested a further £3 million to open its first Middle East campus in Dubai Media City, supported by the Department for Business and Trade, aiming to upskill 2,000 international students.

Recognition has followed at every level. Founder Manny Athwal won at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2024, widely regarded as the Grammys of entrepreneurship. He was also named one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2025, selected from nearly 700 national nominations in partnership with The Times. The business has also won at the Signature Awards Birmingham, the Black Country Business Awards and the Nachural Business Awards, and holds the IoD Innovation Award and Matrix Standard Accreditation.

Meet the Sponsor: Doocey Group

For 45 years, Doocey Group has been a proud example of what can be achieved when strong family values meet ambition, innovation and expertise. As a family-run business headquartered in Tipton, its roots in the Black Country remain at the heart of everything it does, even as it continues to grow on a national scale.

Founded in 1981 by a determined husband-and-wife team Michael and Anne Doocey, the second generation family business is now led by their sons, Mark and Steve. Their leadership preserves the founding principles while steering the company forward as a modern Tier 1 national civil engineering and utility infrastructure specialist with supporting group companies. Today, Doocey Group stands as a trusted partner to major clients in the water and electric industry, delivering complex, large-scale projects with professionalism and precision.

What sets Doocey Group apart is its fully integrated service offering. The business provides a complete end-to-end solution across civils and utility infrastructure projects—covering design, consultancy, traffic management, project management, specialist equipment and services, testing and commissioning and aggregate recycling. This comprehensive capability ensures efficiency for clients while maintaining quality and accountability throughout every stage of delivery.

The company’s recent work highlights the diversity and importance of its expertise. From ongoing projects at Aintree Hospital and RAF Brize Norton to developments at the University of Warwick, Doocey Group continues to support critical infrastructure that benefits communities across the UK.

Over the past five years, the company has experienced significant growth, with a substantial increase in annual turnover and a workforce that has tripled in size. This expansion reflects both the confidence clients place in the business and the dedication of its people, who remain central to its continued success and future ambitions.

At Doocey Group, people truly come first. The company takes pride in valuing, developing and investing in its workforce through ongoing training, career progression and a strong culture of safety. Its deep commitment to apprenticeships is a key part of this, with 51 apprentices welcomed into the business over the past four years across a wide range of disciplines. Alongside this, its highly successful social value pre-apprenticeship programme has created over £1.78 million in social value return for Sandwell, helping to open doors, build skills and create meaningful career opportunities within the local community. Its excellent safety record is a direct reflection of this people-first approach, ensuring everyone returns home safely each day.

Innovation also plays a critical role. By continuously improving methods, investing in specialist services and embracing new technologies, Doocey Group remains at the forefront of the industry. The company’s diversification into net zero markets, including EV infrastructure and renewable energy, ensures it is not only meeting today’s demands but actively shaping a more sustainable future.

Its story demonstrates that with strong values, a commitment to people and a clear vision for the future, local businesses can achieve national impact.

Doocey Group’s journey is far from over—and the business remains committed to growing responsibly, innovating continuously and staying true to its family values while providing stable careers that continue to strengthen local communities and more.

You can see the full list of Express & Star Business Awards finalists here.

The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony at The Halls Wolverhampton on June 4, 2026.