Business elite gather for awards

BUSINESSES big and small will be vying for glory later this month after being shortlisted in a prestigious awards competition.

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has revealed its shortlist for this year’s Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards, which take place at Barnsley Metrodome on October 23.

More than 100 entries were submitted across ten categories, with the overall Roy Hatfield Business of the Year Award also up for grabs.

The awards are being presented in association with Enterprising Barnsley.

The ceremony will include the Salute to Business presentations that celebrate the achievements of long-standing businesses up to 125 years old.

There will also be the Charity of the Year presentation which will award a member charity with £3,000 in prize money.

Chief executive Andrew Denniff said: “This is a major event for the chamber and this year is no exception with a tremendous response from local businesses.

“This year the number of entries exceeded our expectations, but the increasing quality has meant shortlisting for our judges has made for some difficult decision making, even before the winners are selected.”

The finalists are:

The Enterprising Barnsley Most Promising New Business Award – Fitex, Human Recruitment, Sarah Brabbin Wedding Photography, The Cowlick Creamery, Visualised IT Video Production.

The Harsco Steelphalt Business Growth Award – Airmaster, Building Product Solutions, LWG Solutions Ltd, Opus-UK Ltd, Palmer Construction.

The Rotherham Together Partnership Business Community Impact Award – Berneslai Homes, Keepmoat, Mulberry Homelets Ltd, Team Katalyst, Visualised IT Video Production.

The Brook Corporate Developments Excellence in Manufacturing Award – Building Product Solutions, D R Baling, Numill, Oracle Precision Engineering, Specialised Laser Products.

The Airmaster Design and Innovation Award – D R Baling, Gala Tent, Martek Marine Ltd, Tata Steel, The Rack Group.

The Building Product Solutions Business Person of the Year Award, Adam Claydon, (Claydon Accountants Ltd), Anne Wilson (Numill), Matthew Ridsdale (Cannon PR), Peter Robinson (D R Baling), Simon Dennis (Palmer Construction).

The ASD Lighting/Rotherham United Excellence in International Trade Award – Gala Tent, Naylor Industries PLC, Rack Armour Ltd, Single Use Surgical, Weighwell Engineering Ltd.

The Burrows Skills Development Award – Berneslai Homes, Martek Marine Ltd, Naylor Industries PLC, Tata Steel, The Rack Group.

The Berneslai Homes Digital and Creativity in Business Award – All Dry Damp Proofing Ltd, Barnsley College, Elephant Designs, Cream Consultancy, DEB Chartered Accountants, Gala Tent.

The Barnsley College Apprentice of the Year Award – Laura Smith (Rotherham College), Monika Mazurkiewicz (Brook Corporate Developments), Rachel Shorter (Berneslai Homes), Regan Gaunt (Building Product Solutions), Thomas Bagley (Ardagh Group).

Chamber of Commerce Charity of the Year Award, in association with DuoCall Communications – Action Housing, Barnsley Hospice, Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, Rotherham Hospice, SAFE@LAST.