Dynamic Yorkshire businesses celebrated at Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 Awards 2022

Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, in partnership with The Yorkshire Post, celebrated the region’s fastest growing, privately owned businesses.In the first in person Fastest 50 event since 2019, held at a central venue in Leeds, it was wonderful to recognise the success of Yorkshire’s finest enterprises and applaud their achievements.Event speakers at the highly acclaimed awards included Emma Digby, executive partner of Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, The Yorkshire Post’s deputy business editor Greg Wright and Chris Rea CBE, managing director of Yorkshire manufacturing giant AESSEAL.

The sun shone brightly and the room came alive with stories of success, resilience and, quite frankly, business brilliance.

From manufacturing, engineering and energy companies to healthcare, technology and construction firms, businesses that attended included Huddersfield-based The Body Doctor, winner of the small business category, specialist nursing care home Thomas Owen Care, located in Dewsbury, and Ilkey’s Front Five Building Services. TekFloor, a nationwide screeding, render and insulation products distributor, headquartered in Rotherham, Sheffield heating and insulation firm All Seasons Interiors and

Leeds-based packaging design agency Aire Global were also present as leaders and their people celebrated the major strides Yorkshire has made in establishing itself as a buoyant, innovative and energetic hub for booming business.

Chris Rea CBE, who has grown AESSEAL to a global firm with over 1,700 employees, said: “It’s fantastic to celebrate the top 50 businesses in Yorkshire who are creating a vast amount of wealth and employment for the region and its people. The private sector is often not given the acknowledgement it deserves, especially businesses in the North.

“Awards like the Fastest 50 challenge this; they give deserving, regional businesses a voice, they champion their innovation and achievements. I’m so pleased we could celebrate in person; it’s been wonderful to see the networking, interaction and energy that we’ve all greatly missed. Well done to the class of 2022, you have achieved incredible success.”

The atmosphere in the room was electric as everyone reflected on the incredible success achieved despite the adversity and uncertainty they’ve faced in getting there.

The constant Covid- induced changes and knock-on effects on employees, supply chains and day-to-day operations made growth an uphill battle at times. But it’s a battle Yorkshire businesses have won and won with a ferocious passion and hunger to succeed.

Sam Wyner, sales and marketing director at The Body Doctor, said: “It’s a great privilege to win this award and a lot ofhard work and passion has gone into achieving this.

"The awards demonstrate how much credibility we have right here in the Yorkshire region, within our business community, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it. Here’s to strong, innovative businesses born and bred in Yorkshire.”

The Fastest 50 growing businesses are identified by analysing Companies House data over the previous three years.

It goes without saying that the 2022 winners, and indeed all those ranked, have demonstrated success during an extremely turbulent time with constantly changing goalposts.

Martin Hulls, managing partner, Ward Hadaway, said: “It’s an honour to host these awards across the North, in the regions we’re so proud to be part of. Not only to celebrate the successes of the 50 businesses that represent their region but to be inspired by their individual stories of success.

“We have really missed getting together in person over the last couple of years but Yorkshire has done itself proud restarting our Fastest 50 business awards events with a stellar cohort of companies proving that no matter what obstacles they may face, or what size they may be, success is absolutely achievable. Congratulations to all of those ranked and the standout category winners.”

The list includes two residential care organisations, a sector that’s been one of the hardest hit by Covid. Despite being faced with some of the most stringent restrictions, these businesses have continued to excel and grow – an extraordinary accomplishment given the circumstances.

Kevin Martin, managing director of Thomas Owen Care, number 12 in this year’s list, said: “It’s wonderful to be here today, mixing with other businessesin the region that, just like us, have gritted their teeth and devoted themselves to growing a successful business when the odds have never looked so bleak.

“This has been especially poignant in the care sector, and I cannot thank my wonderful team enough for everything they’ve done and for being amazing at what they do. To be the 12th fastest growing business in Yorkshire is a wonderful achievement and that’s testament to the people who make Thomas Owen Care what it is – theygenuinelydeserveit.”

Ivegate Limited:Winner fastest overall growing business and fastest growing medium business.

Taking the crown for the overall fastest growing Yorkshire business for 2022 is Leeds-based building services specialist, Ivegate, which also tops the medium business category (turnover £10-£30m).

The company recorded an astounding average turnover growth of over 250 per cent – one of the largest Fastest 50 businesses in Yorkshire has ever produced.

Speaking about the company’s win, Dominic Ford, operations director at Ivegate, said: “It’s humbling to win such a highly regarded award in Yorkshire, we’re very proud and it is a testament to the hard work our staff and management have put in over the last few years.

“Our business is based on the continued support of our clients, suppliers and, most importantly, our team who work incredibly hard to deliver first class service to our customers.

“We are incredibly proud to be a Yorkshire business. We have been lucky enough to be involved in some significant projects within the region including the relocation of Channel 4 to Leeds. And we are proud to represent here.

“Our success is based on the core values of Yorkshire people – hard work, value for money and most importantly, honesty. We are passionate about developing the next generation of Yorkshire professionals. This is evidenced by our drive to employ at least five apprentices per year in a sector that has been starved of the development of young people for too long.”

Mr Ford stressed that a “massive amount” of the company’s turnover is down to decarbonisation.

Emma Digby, executive partner at Ward Hadaway, added: “Yorkshire is phenomenal – it’s becoming a central hub in the business community. The winners have come from diverse backgrounds. That’s what makes the award really special. It’s great publicity and a celebration of their really hard work.”

Greg Wright, the deputy business editor of The Yorkshire Post, added: “The building services sector is undergoing revolutionary changes. It’sgreat to highlight a business that is so passionate about decarbonisation and protecting the planet. It’s another example of a dynamic, Yorkshire business making headlines around the country.”The Body Doctor: Winner fastest growing small business

The third award winner, with a phenomenal average turnover growth of 128 per cent is The Body Doctor, which specialises in eyecare, and is based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

The business won the small Yorkshire business category (turnover between £1m-£10m).

The Body Doctor is a family-run business, set up in 2012 by Sue Grant and her two sons, Adam and Sam Wymer.

The vision of the business is to devise, develop and supply solutions that focus on primarily promoting and optimising eye health. The business has grown and now include other products too, such as the AB Mask.

Backed by science, and supported by experts in the medical field, the company wants to raise awareness of eyecare, especially eye hygiene and deliver a series of preventative solutions and treatments to common problems.

The company said: “Our family- run business is driven by the passion for devising, developing, and delivering cutting-edge solutions to improve eye health and eyelid hygiene, and this award is a wonderful achievement that recognises this ethic.

“At the awards ceremony, we celebrated growth andinnovation alongside 49 other fantastic companies in Yorkshire. Thank you to all our wonderful customers, past and present, we couldn’t have done this without you, and we can’t wait to continue this exciting eye care journey.

“This award is another step in the right direction to raise awareness of common, irritating eye conditions and how they can be alleviated instead of living with painful conditions. In partnership with healthcare professionals, we provide solutions for the ever-growing number of patients suffering from conditions suchas MGD, Blepharitis and Dry Eye Disease.

“The Body Doctor is also celebrating 10 years in Eye Care this year. Originally starting with our Eye Compresses, we have expanded our range to include Eyelid Wipes, Eye Drops and personalised bundles, as well as exclusively distributing ThinOptics and Nulids. We also provide face protection and accessories which offer seven layers of reusable, antibacterial/ antiviral protection, keeping you safe wherever you go.”

Greg Wright, The Yorkshire Post’s deputy business editor, said: “It’s great to see a family-run business with such strong ethical values triumph in this category.”

Joule Hot Water Systems UK Ltd: Winner fastest growing large business

Joule Hot Water Systems UK, based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, took the title for the fastest growing large business (turnover over £30m).

The company provides complete renewable heating solutions through a wide range of options for heating, hot water and ventilation systems.

The firm, which was ranked seventh in the Fastest 50 list in 2021 recorded an average turnover growth of 61 per cent to win this year’s award.

According to Joule, a new build project is an ideal scenario for embracing renewable heating.

From this blank slate, Joule can help tailor the property’s heating system to meet low-carbon regulations and reduce ongoing utility bills.

The award was picked up by The Yorkshire Post’s deputy business editor, Greg Wright, on behalf of Joule.

Mr Wright said: “It was a privilege to pick up this award on behalf of such a worthy winner. It has never been more important for the corporate world to focus on renewable heating services.

“It’s no surprise that Joule’s turnover has soared in recent years, despite the uncertainty and pressures caused by Brexit and the pandemic.

“Everybody is concerned about soaring energy bills, so a company like Joule, which employs a skilled, dynamic workforce is set to have a very busy trading period ahead.

“The Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 is a fantastic event that salutes the really dynamic, enterprising and innovative businesses in our region. They are bringing jobs and investment which have been so important particularly over the last two years when the economy has faced so many difficulties

“We’re delighted to have supported the Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 since it was founded in 2011. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength in the years ahead. The success of companies like Joule shows that this really is the best region in Britain to establish and grow a world-beating business.”

This year’s list represents companies from a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, motor vehicle repairs, construction and the built environment, residential care, plus food and drinks. Three-quarters of the businesses featured are new to the list.