Winners of the 2017 BIBAs announced

By Lancashire Business View

18 Sep 2017

A property magnate behind the regeneration of Preston city centre has been honoured with the lifetime achievement trophy at the Be Inspired Business Awards.

Simon Rigby, whose property empire includes the city’s Guild Hall, collected the Lancastrian of the Year award at the BIBAs.

It was one of 20 awards handed out to businesses and individuals from across the county. Another of the night's winners was Chelsey-Marie Baldwin, the Blackpool-based former gymnast who was forced to retire from the sport aged just 17, who has gone on to set up her own academy teaching young people in South Shore.

Full list of winners:

Most Inspiring Young Person of the Year: Chelsey Marie Baldwin Creative Business of the Year: Hotfoot Design Employer of the Year:  Sunshine Events Best Use of IT: Connect Childcare Business Person of the Year: Ashley Hackett, Blackpool FC Community Trust Exporter of the Year: Scorpion Automotive Family Business of the Year: The Wayfarer Professional Service Business of the Year: Thomas Consulting Manufacturer of the Year:  CoolKit Excellence in CSR: Sunshine Events Construction Business of the Year:  Fox Brothers Leisure Business of the Year: Winter Gardens Blackpool Third Sector Business of the Year:  CB Partners Service Business of the Year:  Fairbanks Environmental New Business of the Year:  Fourth Wall Solutions Micro Business of the Year: 8th Sign Small Business of the Year:  Bespoke Childcare Medium Business of the Year: Hippo Motor Group Business of the Year:  CoolKit Lancastrian of the Year: Simon Rigby

Latest news

1

£90m-backed regeneration plans submitted for Central Drive Artist's impression of Central Drive

£90m-backed regeneration plans submitted for Central Drive

19 Jun 2026

2

Manufacturers boost growth with digital investment Daleside Fabrication

Manufacturers boost growth with digital investment

19 Jun 2026

3

Planning ahead is key for attracting funding Funding Summit

Planning ahead is key for attracting funding

18 Jun 2026

4

Science in Sport secures £30m-plus backing for growth plans Sir Chris Hoy, chairman of SiS Elite Performance Advisory Panel

Science in Sport secures £30m-plus backing for growth plans

18 Jun 2026

5

BAE Systems commits €50m to European defence start-ups bae-systems-samlesbury.jpg

BAE Systems commits €50m to European defence start-ups

16 Jun 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event
Nov/Dec Networking Event
Networking
16 Jul 2026

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event

Brysdales, Britannia Buildings Drumhead Road, Chorley, PR6 7BX

16:00 - 18:00

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event
Jan/Feb Networking Event - Entrance
Networking
17 Sep 2026

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event

The Beehive Blackburn, Shadsworth Business Park, BB1 2Q

08:30 - 10:30

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

The Bay Business Club
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
22 Jun 2026

The Bay Business Club

Morecambe Football Club, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

17:00 - 19:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: June
June Freelancer Square.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Jun 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: June

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

How to manage grievances…with confidence
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
24 Jun 2026

How to manage grievances…with confidence

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Cyber Crime Awareness Event
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
24 Jun 2026

Cyber Crime Awareness Event

Morecambe Golf Club, Morecambe, LA4 6AJ

13:00 - 16:00

How can smarter employee benefits reduce costs and improve staff retention?
Screenshot 2026-05-20 100211.png.png
LBV Hub Roundtables
25 Jun 2026

How can smarter employee benefits reduce costs and improve staff retention?

Forbes Solicitors , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:30 - 10:00

NO Rackets Required - The Ultimate Padel Party
Crowdfunder.png.png
LBV Hub Social
26 Jun 2026

NO Rackets Required - The Ultimate Padel Party

Pendle Padel Club, Nelson, BB9 5SR

16:00 - 00:00

How hackers target SMEs - and how to protect your business
Lancashire_gamesdesign_Feb26-2120.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Jul 2026

How hackers target SMEs - and how to protect your business

Engineering Innovation Centre, Preston, PR1 2XS

09:30 - 11:30

The AI Lab: Marketing Multiplier
Event post 03.07.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Jul 2026

The AI Lab: Marketing Multiplier

Door4, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - July 2026
padel-networkpng.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
09 Jul 2026 - 09 Jul 2026

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - July 2026

Clubhouse, Blackburn, BB1 3NT

14:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin