Sub36 Awards 2017: Honouring our new business heroes

Almost 200 people heralded “the new heroes of the Lancashire economy” at a great evening of celebration showcasing the rising stars of the county.

Blackpool’s Winter Gardens was the magnificent setting for the first Lancashire Business View Sub36 Awards which took place last night.

 

The awards marked the achievements of remarkable men and women from across the county who are aged under-36 and setting the pace in the business world.

This year’s “Sub36 Superstars” included David Price, founder of property company 10ACIA, who picked up The Inspiration Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Gemma Harper was another double winner. Gemma, who works for mechanical engineer Hardy Services, was named Employee of the Year and received The Lifelong Learner Award

Chris Smith of Pendle Engineering won the final category of the evening – The Sub36 Award chosen by Lancashire Business View.

He received the prestigious award from editor Ged Henderson and publisher Richard Slater, who said: “This winner, like all winners tonight, is ambitious and committed to the business and to the county.

“This winner embodies the spirit of Sub36 with a simple mantra of ‘Bring it on’.”

Speaking after receiving his award Chris, 30, said: “Taking part in awards like this is fantastic. The caliber of people here tonight is so high - just to be involved is great. To win is amazing.”

Earlier in the evening Richard Slater praised all the finalists and told them: “You are the new heroes of the Lancashire economy and we salute you all.”

He said the evening was a celebration of “the best of the best of the new breed of Lancashire business.” And he added: “You will make us thrive.”

“Our judges had a difficult job on their hands – congratulations to all of the winners, and finalists.”

Here is a full list of last night’s winners:

 

Apprentice Award: William Holmes, Printed Cup Company

Customer Relations Award: Hayley Wilkinson, Birchall Foodservice

Employee of the Year: Gemma Harper, Hardy Services

The Innovator Award: Owen Phillips, Ribcaged Productions

Inspiration Award: David Price, 10ACIA

The Lifelong Learner Award: Gemma Harper, Hardy Services

New Business Award: Carter’s Building Consultancy

Entrepreneur of the Year: David Price, 10ACIA

Sub36 Leadershp Award: Gabrielle McNamara, The Hyman Group

Young Lancastrian: Hannah Hughes, Harrison Drury Solicitors

The Sub36 Award: Chris Smith, Pendle Engineering

 

Sub36 was officially launched at BAE Systems’ new £15.6m Academy for Skills and Knowledge earlier this year after an appealing rebrand of Lancashire Business View’s ‘Young Uns’.

The awards evening was the culmination of a year of activities organised by Lancashire Business View under the Sub36 banner, all aimed at supporting younger people in the business world.

Last night’s awards were hosted by Robin Kershaw of award-winning DFC.

The event was supported by a host of top name sponsors including category sponsors: BAE Systems, Begbies Traynor, Business and Enterprise Trust, Fat Media, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub and Limitless PR and Marketing.

Other supporters of the event included With A Twist, GetStaffed Solutions, The Guild Hall and The Villa@North End, Winter Gardens, DFC and Dewlay Cheese.

  * For more coverage of the fantastic evening of celebration and a full gallery of all winners and finalists subscribe to the next issue of Lancashire Business View’s Wednesday Weekly