Video: Celebrating success at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards

The best of Yorkshire's first-class business community was represented at The Yorkshire Post's annual Excellence in Business Awards.
Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack TordoffMark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff
Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff

Now in its 11th year, the awards honoured scores of businesses across 14 different categories from all across the region.

This year saw the awards hosted at New Dock Hall, at Leeds’s Royal Armouries for the first time.

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However, in common with previous years, the standard was extremely high.

Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack TordoffMark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff
Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff

The top award of the evening went to JCT600 founder Jack Tordoff who collected the Individual Award for Excellence, earning a standing ovation in the process.

Elsewhere R&R Ice Cream took the DLA Piper backed award for best business turning over more than £50m, Tracsis took the PwC award for firm turning over between £10m and £15m and Yorkshire Provender won the Yorkshire Bank Award for best company earning up to £10m.

The evening was hosted by former cabinet minister turned broadcaster Michael Portillo, who regaled the audience with anecdotes from his political career as well as presenting all of the evening’s awards.

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Speaking after the event he told The Yorkshire Post that the event and individual companies involved in the awards had left him “immensely impressed”.

Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.
Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.

He said: “We heard from a whole series of stories this evening from companies that have recovered, innovated or are exporting well and that have shown extraordinary entrepreneurial flair.

“It has been very impressive.”

The guest speaker for the evening was Katie Bulmer-Cooke, a fitness professional turned motivational speaker who found fame two years ago for reaching that latter stages of the BBC television series The Apprentice.

She told the audience that making bold decisions had been crucial in her success and that taking on business at the highest level is something for all firms to aspire to.

Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack TordoffMark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff
Mark Casci of The Yorkshire Post presents the individual award to Jack Tordoff
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James Mitchinson, editor of The Yorkshire Post, gave the awards inaugural remarks, saying: “These awards are now in their 11th year. During that time we have witnessed acts of history which have presented challenges, opportunities, setbacks and triumphs for our economy. Perhaps none more so than our impending separation from Europe.

“This has been a record year.

“Never have we had more people wanting to be in this room than this year.

There’s a lot to shout about in Yorkshire and it is amazing to see such a wealth of great companies represented tonight.

Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.
Michael Portillo hosts the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2016.

Needless to say the standard was exceptionally good. All the short listed companies and individuals can feel very proud.

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“They will be the ones that steer us through Article 50, and seize upon the opportunities as they arise as we all go about adapting to life outside of the EU.”

The Excellence in Business Awards are sponsored by DLA Piper, PwC and Yorkshire Bank, with associate categories sponsored by the Bradford University School of Management, Plusnet and the Sewell Group.