The shortlist for the Hull Live Business Awards 2022 is today revealed.
Judges have assessed the entries and nominations received ahead of next month’s gala celebration. Winners will be crowned at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Hull on November 17, in what is a calendar highlight for the region’s business community.
Examining the open categories this year have been Jo Barnes, managing director of Sewell Estates; Benjamin Davis-Rice, managing director of headline sponsor Reach Recruitment; Jan Brumby, chief executive of For Entrepreneurs Only; Peter Aarosin, a director and shareholder of several companies, including Danbrit Holdings, Danbrit Shipping and East Trans on the Humber, and Hull Live editor Jamie Macaskill.
They worked through a strong field.
Jo said: “There was a good diverse range and we have some potential superstars in there. We have had a great level of submissions, and while it would be wonderful if more of our talented people in the area would submit, it was quite tough. It is good to see the region thriving.”
Jan echoed the thoughts on the mix that was in the melting pot. She said: “It was great to see some new faces in there, and there were strong personal stories alongside the business success. It is a very rough world out there to run and business, so it is great to hear and read about those doing well.”
For Peter, emphasis was placed on what the nominations indicate for the future. “I found it reassuring to see how many good businesses there are about, and how much potential is here,” he said. “The new start-ups in the area, in good numbers, ready to come forward - as that is where growth will come from.”
It chimed with Jamie too, as he looked forward to the evening unveiling next month. He said: “What struck me was the up and coming companies and small businesses really starting to make an impact on the business landscape. It is great to see so many new companies coming in and making such a success of what they do - there are some terrific new companies and individuals who have been recognised.”
Broadcaster Nina Hossain will host the event, with places still available at £80 per ticket or £780 plus VAT for a table. Full details are available here, as today we present the shortlist for the awards, with the Lifetime Achievement accolade, sponsored by Reach Recruitment, and Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by University of Hull, to be revealed on the night.
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by GW Power & C3 Group
Sam Amess | Diony
Sam joined marketing agency Diony after sixth form, coming on board as a digital marketing apprentice in the SEO department. Since day one, Sam’s positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile have made him an invaluable member of the team. Within his first 12 months Sam showed himself capable of taking on some extremely technical and challenging work, and contributed to a range of important projects - with clients including Beverley Racecourse, Melton Stone, Allenby Commercial and Rollits. Sam’s excellence carries into his apprenticeship work, where he is one of the highest achievers in his cohort.
Rose Baker | Driffield School
Joining Driffield School as an IT helpdesk apprentice, Rose quickly established herself as someone with outstanding talent and dedication. Initially working on minor technical issues, her high ability soon led to her taking on far more responsibility than would usually be expected of an apprentice - taking charge this year of two whole-school based systems, including the introduction of a resource booking system and ID badge system. Rose’s commitment, quality of work and understanding of the school’s systems has greatly impressed her team - with both of her systems being adopted.
Saffron Cartwright | Castle Employment Group
Saffron joined Castle Employment Group in 2021 as an administration apprentice - and before long she had become the recruitment agency’s office administrator. She provides a wide range of invaluable support - even being entrusted with tasks as important as ensuring that candidate records are fully compliant. Saffron has taken the reins on a variety of projects - introducing compliance measures, preparing the business for new technology, and implementing a new sustainability process. As well as a highly capable individual, Saffron is an excellent collaborator and highly respected member of the team.
Customer Focus Award
Ginger Girls Food & Fitness
Ginger Girls Food & Fitness provides exercise classes, and nutrition and diet advice to women - dedicated to empowerment through health and fitness education. Currently supporting more than 1,000 women in the Hull area, the business works to provide a supportive and inclusive environment, so that no-one feels unable to participate. Recognising the demands on the time of mums using the service, Ginger Girls’ welcomes children to classes, and also provides free kids classes to keep them entertained. Free-to-access classes have been made available through its website.
Green & Green Mortgage and Protection
Green & Green is an independent brokerage dedicated to providing customers with high-quality, easy to understand support and advice on remortgaging, life insurance, equity release, first time buying and more. The Hessle team works to establish consistent, open communication with clients, ensuring they have all the information and support they need to make a decision that work for them. Tailoring its services to each client’s specific needs, Green & Green prides itself on impeccable customer service and ensuring clients properly understand mortgage processes.
Northern Visuals
Northern Visuals is a video production company that works to produce creative, innovative and high impact campaigns that help clients engage with their intended audiences. Working with clients like Hull City, The University of Hull, Team GB and more, Northern Visuals’ creativity and commitment has helped it grow consistently since 2017 - seeing an increase in turnover even during the pandemic. Northern Visuals prizes communication and teamwork as its driving forces - working to create an environment in which ideas can flourish - while building fruitful relationships with clients so these ideas can be realised.
Training and Development Award
HBP Systems Ltd
Founded in 1991, HBP Systems Ltd provides small and medium businesses with software solutions that help them thrive, and get the most out of their tech. As an IT and software business, skill and proficiency is all important to HBP - with personal development plans designed to help employees maximise their potential, and build the skills needed to succeed. This approach has helped HBP cultivate a highly skilled and reliable team - with most of the IT team attaining Microsoft Gold Partner status, and most of the accounts and ERP team being AAT Accredited.
Heron Foods
Since the first Heron Foods store was opened in 1979, the business has prided itself on offering quality products at low prices. Now with 312 stores around the UK, Melton-based Heron is a business dedicated to developing and promoting talent from within. Every new employee receives a training programme to suit their role - with e-modules, workshops and on-the-job experience helping team members acclimatise and polish their skills. Heron also set up the Future Flyers programme in 2017, designed to help employees acquire new skills and work towards promotion.
ResQ
Founded in 2006, ResQ provides businesses with outsourced sales, customer service and bureau service - helping companies serve and grow their customer base. The business believes in life-long learning, and is committed to employee development - having set up training academies for all core departments, with care taken to help employees find a path that suits them. In the last year alone Hull-headquartered ResQ has held three internal career fairs and 148 career surgeries, and seen 150 internal promotions. ResQ also operates a learning library, with information and resources available to all employees.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Hull City Council
Olivia Crabtree
After starting her own small business with no guidance, Olivia Crabtree decided to create a resource that would help other people in the same position. Setting up the Instagram page ‘The Small Business Handbook’, Olivia provided tips and advice - before putting together an ebook sold via Etsy. A year has passed since then - and The Small Business Handbook has grown from a page staffed only by Olivia with 700 followers, to a team of nine and 100,000 followers. Offering masterclasses and business planners alongside the ebook, thousands of businesses have been helped in starting their growth journey.
Ben Ewart
Switch Electronics is an e-commerce distributor of electronic components, set up by Ben 10 years ago at the age of 19. In a decade he has grown the business to stock 12,000 products, and it supplies more than 1.7 million packages to more than 130 countries around the globe. Starting from his bedroom, Switch now has a team of 10 operating from a 7,000 sq ft warehouse in Hull. Ben’s dedication and skill has helped Switch thrive - with plans to grow even further in the coming years.
Danielle Madden
Danielle Madden is a freelance marketer, designer and photographer who set up the marketing agency MADS in 2021. Despite the uncertainty of starting a business during the pandemic, her skill and passion for her work has helped MADS succeed, while helping other businesses succeed as well. Despite only having been operating for a year, Danielle has already worked on a range of projects for high profile clients, including the NHS Omicron Campaign, Manchester AO Arena and the British Red Cross.
Environmental and Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Wykeland Beal
Greens the Signmakers
Greens the Signmakers has been operating since 1963 - and has shown the ability to adapt and thrive over the decades. With the increasing importance of sustainability, Greens recognised the need for significant change - overhauling its processes to reduce their environmental impact. The key focus was printed material - with the business investing in water-based ink printers, making its printed materials fully recyclable. Greens also installed solar panels on the roof of its Hull factory, allowing the entire business to be powered by renewables - also switching its car fleet to electric.
Helix CMS
Helix CMS, a construction management service, launched an eco-social strategy in 2021, dedicated to building sustainable projects and creating a climate positive workforce. It has eliminated the use of single use plastics on site, providing reusable water bottles to all employees, and introduced a cycle to work scheme to lower the carbon footprint of commutes. On projects, 99 per cent of site and construction waste material is recycled, and the Hull business engages in carbon offsetting projects for every new job. Helix also works with suppliers on sustainable sourcing.
Springfield Solutions
Springfield Solutions is a business that supplies digital label printing, and sustainable packaging solutions. It has made significant efforts over the years to become more sustainable in its practices - first and foremost adopting eco-friendly label materials, and encouraging customers to make the switch. Springfield also buys all of its electricity from renewable sources, and last year installed 96 solar panels to supply the Hull base. Three employees have also completed a climate change course at University of Hull, raising awareness of sustainable practices.
Innovation and Technology Award
Fisher Security Ltd
Fisher Security Ltd is a business that provides innovative and tailored fire and security solutions to the commercial sector.
One project for a waste company saw the Goole firm identify the need for early warning fire detection systems, automatic extinguishing, component failure monitoring and general remote monitoring capabilities - all of which had to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Painstakingly designing and testing its solutions, Fisher was able to install a system that met all these needs with great success.
HiiROC
HiiROC is a Hull-based manufacturer of machines that create hydrogen from natural gas - a zero emission process that avoids CO2 production and can be scaled from the micro to industrial levels. The process also produces carbon black - which is usually made using oil furnaces, and produces significant levels of CO2 and other damaging gases. In producing carbon black without these emissions, HiiROC supports the sustainable production of tyres, coatings and inks. The business’s innovative processes let it provide markets with two extremely useful and widespread products, without significant damage to the environment.
Rolawn
Based in East Riding, Rolawn is a leading grower of turf, and supplier of bark, topsoil, mulch and grass seed. With almost five decades of experience, the business is constantly innovating, investing in and designing its own cutting-edge technology. This includes a pneumatic turf seed drill of Rolawn’s own design, one of the UK’s largest turf harvesters, and the trademarked Profresh system that protects turf from sod-heating that often damages it during storage. Rolawn has also embraced sustainable innovation - installing onsite solar panels in Seaton Ross to make production more environmentally friendly.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Sewell Group
Charles Draper
Charles Draper is the founder of Sure Group, a recruitment agency that specialises in staffing solutions, logistics, commercial and healthcare. Going above and beyond since day one to make Sure Group a success, Charles has grown the business into one that operates from seven offices across the UK, with a forecast turnover of £20 million. He strives to empower his team with this same drive to succeed, and create a working environment in which they feel encouraged and empowered. As a result, Sure Group continues to grow - with four of its offices opening in the last 18 months, and 40 new hires within the past year.
Gary Gallen
Gary Gallen is the founder of Rradar - a litigation and commercial law firm that works to bring out the full potential of technology and put it to use in providing outstanding legal services. The Hull firm provides clients with legal services for every business need - combining expertise with digital tools, to provide bespoke legal services in an efficient and innovative way. Since starting Rradar, Gary has overseen the growth to 150 employees, forging commercial relationships, pioneering digital solutions, and helping to create the innovative business culture key to Rradar’s success.
Sean Scott
Sean Scott is the founder of Vuba - a Beverley-based business that produces a range of resin products. The business’ most popular item is resin bound surfacing, for which it imports almost eight million tonnes of marble and quartz a year to meet demand. Sean initially started Vuba in 2010, as a resin reselling company - but has worked to grow and refocus on production. As a result of Sean’s efforts, by 2020 Vuba was formulating and manufacturing 100 per cent of its resin products. Sean’s leadership has helped grow Vuba significantly, with the business recognised in the FEBE list of the UK’s fastest-growing companies.
Business in the Community Award
Sponsored by KCom
Giacom
Giacom provides cloud services to more than 3,600 IT businesses that support small and medium companies in the UK.
The Hessle firm created a dedicated CSR team to ensure it plays a key role in the area. It has sponsored a range of charities including Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University and Cancer Research UK - as well as Hull City FC. Giacom also works to contribute long-term - actively recruiting locally, and nurturing talent through apprenticeships. It hosted 100 primary school pupils to help build aspiration, with 30 staff supporting activities.
Rollits LLP
Founded in 1841, Rollits LLP is a law that has worked to support the community for years - partnering with charities, community groups and other businesses. Rollits has worked with a wide range of charities - including a 35 year relationship with Dove House Hospice and Muscular Dystrophy UK, which has brought in £150,000 for both organisations. Working to support other businesses, during Humber Business Week Rollits held an employment workshop on boosting resilience in teams - sharing invaluable wellbeing experience and advice with the wider business community.
Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates Limited
Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates is a business that provides comprehensive recycling and waste management services to clients across Hull and East Yorkshire. As a waste company, social responsibility has been important from the very beginning - with the business often providing free skips to help make waste clearance easier, and working to raise awareness around recycling and renewable energy. Transwaste also supports a range of charities around Hull - in 2022 donating £2002 to seven local charities to celebrate 20 years of business - while encouraging employees to volunteer.
Employee of the Year
Sponsored by ResQ
Claire Jacques - Giacom
Claire is the head of operations at cloud services business Giacom - and since she started in 2019, has made an outstanding contribution to the company. Managing a third of the business, she has led a number of changes to make the Hessle firm more effective - restructuring the service desk to provide more efficient and dedicated support, and training and launching both a customer success and cybersecurity team. Claire also goes above and beyond to nurture employees - opening up regular communication and feedback to improve motivation, and introducing tech support apprenticeships to nurture local talent.
Rose James - Hull and East Yorkshire Children's University
Having been a part of the team for nine years, she pushes boundaries to support the charity and the children it helps. During the pandemic, Rose’s dedication and hard work meant that Children’s University was able to retain 95 per cent of its partners, despite the difficulties facing many businesses. In the past year she was able to raise a record £160,000 - bringing the total amount over the years to almost £1 million. Thanks to Rose’s work bringing on new charity partners, Children’s University has been able to support almost 9,000 disadvantaged children in the last year alone.
Graham Wildridge - Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates Limited
Working as a weigh-bridge operator at Transwaste for 10 years, in 2021 Graham was given the opportunity to become involved with the business’ health and safety arm. Achieving key certification, he became the environment health and safety advisor for the Melton site - and had been a tremendous success in the role. His knowledge allows him to work alongside regulators and support the business with ease. Graham’s friendliness also makes it easy for him to connect with his colleagues - and ensure that their health, safety and wellbeing are properly cared for.
Start-up Business of the Year
Sponsored by Horncastle Group & MKM Building Supplies
Art & Soul
Founded in 2020, Art & Soul seeks to provide a place for independent artists and creators to showcase and sell their work. Launching with 37 resident artists and makers, Art & Soul now has 105 resident artists providing more than 6,500 products to the public - through its physical and online storefronts. Alongside a space to sell, Art & Soul also provides mentoring, working to boost the region’s creative scene and local economy. Despite the obstacles of the pandemic, Beverley-based Art & Soul has been able to adapt and thrive - selling more than 50,000 products.
Lift and Locate
Lift and Locate is a business that provides modular building installations to the construction industry - providing a complete package of support for clients that runs from delivery to installation. The Hessle firm works to meet each client’s specific needs - assisting with the preparation and planning to provide safe and efficient transportation of modules at each stage of the process. The business’ expertise and commitment to quality has helped it to grow significantly within just 18 months - with Lift and Locate due to complete 50 projects in 2022 alone.
Medimusic Ltd
Launched in 2020 at C4DI in Hull, Medimusic Ltd uses music to alleviate pain and anxiety. AI and machine learning measures the brain’s response to music, monitors pain and anxiety, and then dispenses music that is most helpful in alleviating these negative symptoms. Medimusic also aims to help improve sleeping patterns, smooth digestion, boost brain function, improve breathing, and lower blood pressure, among other benefits. In doing so it aims to make medicines more effective, and enhance recovery. Successful NHS trials have been held.
Business of the Year (up to 50 employees)
Sponsored by Connexin
GTS Logistics UK
Founded in 2015, GTS Logistics UK is a business that provides goods transportation services - specialising in all aspects of the process from supply chain management, to tracking, customs and more. Working with more than 160 clients - including World Wise Foods, Gist and Aldi - GTS has grown significantly. In 2021 four trucks were added to the business - a figure that has doubled since, with GTS carrying out more than 1,500 deliveries in the past year. The business also set up a new customs agency in 2021, and has expanded its supply chain management team this year.
Jupiter IT Solutions
Offering IT support, IT consultancy, cyber security and cloud-based solutions, Jupiter IT provides businesses with the support and expertise they need to get the most out of their technology. Despite the obstacles of the pandemic, Jupiter has been able to bounce back and thrive recently - doubling its turnover between 2021 and 2022. The business also met its long term goal of moving to its own premises, having outgrown its previous office. Jupiter moved to a new 5,000 sq ft Hull office this September. Its commitment to high quality work has helped it succeed so far, and will continue to drive its growth.
Vuba Building Products Ltd
Founded in 2020, Vuba Building Products is a business that produces resin products for a variety of uses. Originally starting as a reseller of products, Beverley-based Vuba has changed tack and grown to the point that it now produces 100 per cent of its resin products. It has maintained growth through the considered allocation of its focus and resources. When demand in the UK fell, Vuba concentrated on its US markets - but when contractors noted that they were receiving less inquiries about resin products, Vuba put together a campaign to raise awareness.
Business of the Year (over 51 employees)
ResQ
Providing outsourced sales, customer service and bureau service to businesses, ResQ is committed to making contact centres more effective. With a team of 2,000, the Hull firm works to provide both clients and their customers with impeccable service - and also strives to create a supportive and engaging working environment for employees. This dedication to quality in every facet of the business has helped ResQ thrive - with the business seeing an increase in turnover of 160 per cent over the past three years. In the last year ResQ also opened its Broadband Centre of Excellence - bringing 700 new jobs to Hull.
Rolawn
With almost 50 years of experience to its name, Rolawn is a grower and supplier of turf - and a supplier of bark, topsoil, mulch and grass seed. Frequently at the forefront of the industry, Rolawn’s expertise is put to use innovating and often creating its own technology - including a system that protects turf from damaging storage practices. This expertise and commitment has helped Rolawn thrive over the years - growing to a team of 70, and going from selling just 2,000 metres of turf in 1975, to several million metres each year from its rural East Yorkshire base.
Rradar
Rradar is a litigation and commercial law firm that combines legal expertise with innovative digital tools. The Hull-headquartered team provides clients with legal services through dynamic technology platforms, in a way that they can easily understand. Rradar’s unique approach made it possible for the company to adapt quickly to the changing circumstances of the pandemic - providing struggling businesses with vital information and guidance in a safe and efficient way. With a team of 150 employees, Rradar has supported more than 90,000 SMEs, becoming a trusted and reliable provider of top quality legal services.
