A NUMBER of Warrington businesses have been crowned winners of ‘Cheshire’s most prestigious awards’.

The annual ceremony for the High Sheriff of Cheshire Awards for Enterprise took place last week.

It was hosted at the University’s Queen’s Park, the home of the Chester Business School, and guests heard from Warrington’s own legendary music producer Pete Waterman OBE.

The awards celebrate innovation, initiative, and impact across Cheshire and a number of Warrington businesses were crowned winners and runners-up.

Stand Out Socks, a firm founded by two Stockton Heath brothers, won Inclusive Business Practice. This award recognises businesses that demonstrate through action that they can make a difference to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Meanwhile No Brainer, which is based in Stockton Heath, won Wellness at Work, with Bents Garden and Home coming runner-up.

This award recognises and champions and organisation’s commitment to health and wellbeing of their workforce.

Warrington Guardian: The award winnersThe award winners (Image: University of Chester)

Dennis Dunn MBE JP DL, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, said: “I would like to thank everyone who was involved in such a wonderful evening. It was truly inspiring to hear about the work being carried out in Cheshire and the successes of our companies, apprentices, young people and charities. 

“I’d also like to thank the sponsors of the awards and all those who submitted entries. It was so inspiring to hear their stories and receive their support.”

Here is a full list of the evening’s winners and runners-up:

  • Inclusive Business Practice – to recognise an organisation that can demonstrate through action that they make a difference to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).   Winner – Stand Out Socks. Runner-up – Storyhouse. 
  • Outstanding Community, Education and Business Engagement (sponsored by Encirc) - for the charity or business that has made a significant difference to the community it serves. Winner – The Cat Radio. Runner-up – Frodsham Youth Association. 
  • Environmental Innovation and Impact (sponsored by Grosvenor) - for an organisation whose purpose is to deliver a lasting environmental benefit, sustainably, which can demonstrate a measurable impact and that has the potential to be grown at scale. Winner – Let's Farm. Runner-up – Genesys. 
  • Wellness at Work (sponsored by Warrington Borough Council) – to recognise and champion an organisation’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of their workforce. Winner – No Brainer Agency. Runner-up – Bents Garden and Home. 
  • Exceptional Start-Up (sponsored by the Holroyd Foundation) – will be awarded to an exceptional business/ organisation that has been operational for less than two years. Winner - KR Fleet Solutions. Runner-up: The Autism Wellbeing Project. 
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  • Outstanding Family Business (sponsored by EA Technology) – to recognise outstanding entrepreneurial families and / or the achievements of specific family businesses. Winner – Pulse Fitness. Runner-up – Hayrack Church Farm. 
  • Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Barlows) – to recognise the development, improvement, contribution, and commitment of the selected apprentice. Winner - William David. Runner-up – Patrick Ithell. 
  • Young Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Mornflake) - to recognise a young person under 30 who has shown entrepreneurial spirit and endeavour within their role. Winner – Kate Fox from Nantwich Clinic. Runner-up – Melissa Ellis from HL Financial. 
  • Excellence in Enterprise (sponsored by the University of Chester) – for the business or charity that has achieved outstanding commercial growth over the past two years. Winner – Valto. Runner-up – Genesys. 
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