Well what a week it’s been!
On Thursday evening the IN-Accountancy team joined around 380 other local business people at Stockport Town Hall to celebrate the best that Stockport business has to offer,
It was the first time the event had been held at that venue, and what a venue it was! Having never been to the Town Hall before, I was immediately impressed by the room and the set up – such a move on from previous years. Hats off to the organisers, Clark Nicklin and in particular to the fabulous Chelsea Maher for pulling it off with such style!
We were welcomed with a glass of champagne on arrival and made our way through to take our seats for the ceremony. Our hosts for the evening were Key 103’s lovely Chelsea Norris and Stockport’s very own Ben Poland who kept us engaged and entertained throughout. The chosen charity this year was St Ann’s Hospice, and the evening raised £5,500 for this much deserving cause, which cares for and helps around 3,000 patients, their families and carers every year, and needs to raise £16,000 per DAY to stay open .
There were 14 awards in all, and we were shortlisted in the ‘Most Promising Young Business’ alongside one of our clients, Make Events led by EVA’s Business Woman of the Year, Holly Moore (www.makeevents.co.uk – check out their website for inspiration and to see some of the amazing events they have organised), and Funky Readers (www.funkyreaders.co.uk), a really cool concept in reading glasses, run by two entrepreneurs who believe that their customers should be able to choose reading glasses which reflect their look, fashion sense, lifestyle and personality.
Needless to say, pitched against this sort of creativity, as a team of Stockport accountants we were all set ready to congratulate one of those businesses on their well deserved win. So, imagine our surprise when our name was called out!! I was literally shaking as I took the stage, and was glad I had Christine with me to steady my nerves. We have had such lovely messages of support and congratulations that it’s quite overwhelming, and quickest and loudest from both Make Events and Funky Readers, whose generosity of spirit must certainly contribute to their success!
There are 3 real groups of people who I most need to thank in helping us to achieve so much so soon, and they are:
The IN team – every single one of the team has pulled together and rolled their sleeves up to make sure we deliver on what we promise, and to go above and beyond what is expected whenever possible.
Our Clients – those of you who have been with us from the start and supported us as we have changed and grown, and those of you who have stayed with us and given us a chance to prove ourselves when we bought the Harrison Newall business off someone who you had trusted to look after your accounts for such a long time. Thank you – without you we are nothing.
The Stockport business network – you’ve effectively opened your arms and let a brand new business in a competitive market in and given us a chance to grow and to flourish. You’ve trusted us with your business affairs and recommended your friends, family, clients and colleagues to us – we know it takes a lot to refer to us as your reputation is also at stake! Again, we thank you.
We have a lot to do now to keep up with this momentum, and as part of that plan we aim to keep doing what we’re doing, and also to introduce more in terms of business advice and growth tips to help those of our clients who wish to grow their businesses to do just that. So keep your eyes out for seminars, newsletters and videos aimed at doing just that…
I’ve detailed below the full category results along with one or two pictures for your interest, and more details can be found at in the Manchester Evening New article here.
WINNERS:
- Business of the Year £5m+ – sponsored by NatWest: Valour Finance Group
- Business of the Year £1-5m – sponsored by Orbit Developments: Pioneer Digital Solutions
- Business of the Year up to £1m – sponsored by Gorvins Solicitors: Trust
- Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants: Julian Stafford, Midshire Business Systems
- Most Promising Young Business – sponsored by Leemic: IN Accountancy
Sarah and Christine accepting the ‘Most Promising Young Business’ Award on behalf of the team - Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Clarke Nicklin Financial Planning: Muhammad Jamil, Parcel Plus
- The Award for Developing Young People – sponsored by CDL: SAS Daniels
- Employer of the Year Award – sponsored by Ashcroft Creative Design: Rowlinson Knitwear
Leanne and Kerry from Rowlinson Knitwear accepting the ‘Employer of the Year’ award, for the second year running!
- The Award for Most Innovative Business – sponsored by Marketing Stockport: APEM
Helen White of Marketing Stockport presenting the Most Innovative Business Award
- Best International Trade Company – sponsored by MAN Diesel & Turbo: Parkcloud
- Independent Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Stockport Express: Bramhall Bakery
Bramhall Bakery picking up their award for ‘Best Independent Retailer’
- Best Not for Profit Organisation – sponsored by Metronet UK: Life Leisure
The fit and healthy Life Leisure team with their ‘Best Non Profit’ Award
- The We Are Stockport Award: Vintage Village
Rachel Wallace of We Are Stockport presenting Vintage Village with their Award
- Special Recognition Award: Robinsons Brewery
Robinsons Brewery receiving their Special Recognition Award
