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

The apprentice beer brewer calling out for young people to join the craft Ethan Salt

The apprentice beer brewer calling out for young people to join the craft

10 Feb 2026

2

Made Smarter Digital Internship programme helps Lancashire SMEs Sahil Hathi, Sana Fatima, Kian Tavakoli, Milanka Manathunga

Made Smarter Digital Internship programme helps Lancashire SMEs

09 Feb 2026

3

PHOTOS: King’s royal seal of approval for cheesemaker’s new HQ The King visiting Butlers

PHOTOS: King’s royal seal of approval for cheesemaker’s new HQ

09 Feb 2026

4

£55m improvement programme gains momentum in east Lancs Burnley

£55m improvement programme gains momentum in east Lancs

09 Feb 2026

5

Preston Marriott is on the market Marriot

Preston Marriott is on the market

09 Feb 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
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

E-commerce in 2026: From stores to systems
PTC banner Feb 26.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
10 Feb 2026 - 10 Feb 2026

E-commerce in 2026: From stores to systems

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Degree apprenticeship information sessions for businesses
student centre entrance.jfif.jpg
LBV Hub Webinar
10 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2026

Degree apprenticeship information sessions for businesses

University of Lancashire, Virtual event, -

10:00 - 09:30

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (29).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Feb 2026 - 11 Feb 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

The Ultimate Network – February
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
19 Feb 2026 - 19 Feb 2026

The Ultimate Network – February

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Samlesbury, PR5 0AG

16:00 - 18:00

Future Forward Business and Skills Summit
Future Forward Business & Skills Summit
LBV Hub Networking
20 Feb 2026

Future Forward Business and Skills Summit

Lancashire Energy HQ , Blackpool, FY4 2QS

08:00 - 11:00

Armed Forces Covenant Business Engagement
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
24 Feb 2026 - 24 Feb 2026

Armed Forces Covenant Business Engagement

Morecambe Football Club, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2026 - 26 Feb 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – March
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
03 Mar 2026 - 03 Mar 2026

Chamber Breakfast Networking – March

The Storey, Lancaster, LA1 1TH

08:00 - 10:00

Lancashire Lifesavers
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
03 Mar 2026 - 03 Mar 2026

Lancashire Lifesavers

The Story, Lancaster, LA1 1TH

10:15 - 11:15

Spring Forecast 2026 LIVE: Insights with PM+M
Spring Forecas.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Mar 2026 - 03 Mar 2026

Spring Forecast 2026 LIVE: Insights with PM+M

Blackburn Rovers Football Club (Red Rose Suite), Ewood Park, Blackburn , BB2 4JF

12:00 - 15:00

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