Leading lights of business community in running for awards

A Lancashire business and a local entrepreneur have both been shortlisted for this year’s Real Business Growing Business Awards, held in association with Lloyds Bank and supported by the CBI.

Local man Simon Mellin has made it through to the final round of judging in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category. Mellin co-founded two highly successful start-ups in recent years, Roaming Roosters and Grass Roots Wholesale Foods Ltd. Having started out in the back room of his father’s butchers shop his food, farming and butchery related businesses have enjoyed rapid growth and are on track to amass £4m this year.

Other businesses shortlisted for Young Entrepreneur of the Year include the founders of Chosen Bun, CommuterClub, 4D Data Centres, Brainient, Metcalfe’s Food Company Ltd. and Mainstage Travel.

Local firm Meltech Engineering Limited has been shortlisted for The “Made in Britain” Award – which celebrates products, technologies and innovations primarily developed, designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK. Meltech Engineering specialises in designing and building cable coiling machinery, wire annealing furnaces, continuous copper and aluminium extrusion equipment.

Five other companies are in the running for The “Made in Britain” Award - Heck Foods, Rock Chemicals, Sidhil, Orangebox and Steelite.

Now in its 16th year, the Growing Business Awards has seen a record number of entries in 2014. This year’s winners will be announced on November 25th at the awards ceremony in London.

Tim Hinton, managing director, SME & Mid Markets at Lloyds Bank, commented: “The number and quality of entrants this year is truly extraordinary. Not only have we seen a record number of nominations but perhaps the strongest all-round set of nominations yet.

“These businesses represent the best of British. Every one of these companies and entrepreneurs has shown that they have the tenacity and drive to innovate, grow and contribute to the country’s ongoing economic recovery.

“As we have seen, previous winners of these awards typically go on to achieve great things. I look forward to watching the development of this year’s nominees closely and hope they inspire other businesses to fulfil their potential.”

Katja Hall, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “The UK’s economic recovery is on solid ground and the UK’s growing businesses are playing a critical role in spurring on growth. These entrepreneurial firms are our future champion companies, and the CBI is proud to celebrate their successes and to support these awards.” Amy Carroll, group editor, Caspian Media, added: “We have seen an unprecedented number of entries this year, all of exceptionally high quality. The range of businesses from retail to manufacturing, to lifestyle and beyond, represents the wealth of excellence and innovation we have across the country. I look forward to seeing how this year’s entrants perform as they continue to contribute to the UK’s economic growth in the months and years ahead.”