Here is a list of who won in each category on the night...
1. Best Business Transformation - Solar Fast
BEST BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION sponsored by Endless WINNER: Solar Fast From boilers, radiators and heat pumps to a rapid change to solar panels, ev-chargers and batteries. Castleford’s Solar Fast has completely transformed itself - helping homeowners save money and become more environmentally friendly in the process. It has gone from just 10 to 15 staff members, to now having more than 100 employees in less than one year - all whilst seeing excellent profitability. Judges were impressed at how the business has not only managed to change the services and products it offered to put it in a stronger position for the future, but has done so in a way that is helping customers to save on their energy bills at a time of unprecedented cost rises. It is the type of change that has made a tangible difference to people’s lives as well as the company’s own operations. NOMINATED: Berjen; M2R Education; Rasico; Wakefield Acoustics. Photo: Gerard Binks
2. Commercial Development of the Year - Guildhall, York
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR WINNER: The Guildhall, York The Guildhall York's ambitious and successful redevelopment was completed in April. This was a ‘once in a 100 years’ restoration project; transforming one of York’s most prestigious and historically significant buildings, preparing it for long-term, economically viable and sustainable use. The project had to overcome huge logistical and engineering challenges, along with a global pandemic. More than 1,000 deliveries for the project were made by river while 40 tonnes of CO2 will be saved each year through the installation of a River Water Source Heat Pump. While up against some truly impressive competition in this category, judges believed The Guildhall project was a deserving winner for the way in which a landmark Yorkshire building has been given a new lease of life that will provide it with an exciting future for generations to come. The award was picked up on behalf of The Guildhall by Yorkshire Post business editor Chris Burn. NOMINATED: Chameleon Business Interiors' transformation of McCain Foods; Evri Superhub; The Old Sawmill; Thorpe Park Leeds. Photo: Gerard Binks
3. Diversity and Inclusion Award - EyUp
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD WINNER: EyUp NOMINATED: Corecom Consulting; Northern Trains; Thrive Law; Turner & Townsend. EyUp is the Yorkshire tech skills academy founded by technology entrepreneur David Richards, CEO of data software company WANdisco plc. Launched in 2021, Sheffield-based EyUp teaches students everything they need to know to work as a software engineer within 16 weeks. Among those to take part in the scheme are refugees from oppressive regimes who want to create successful new lives in the UK. EyUp was selected for the award for its well-thought out scheme; its ability to attract recruits from diverse backgrounds - including building sites, bartending, the police and the Royal Navy - and its determination to go beyond learning the basics of coding to ensure students become rounded software engineers. The fact that those who don’t get a tech job within six months of the course get their money back demonstrates this is an initiative putting its money where its mouth is. Photo: Gerard Binks
4. Employee Health and Wellbeing Award - Forget Me Not Children's Hospice
EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLBEING AWARD sponsored by Sovereign Healthcare WINNER: Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice NOMINATED: The Data Shed; Progeny; Rollits LLP; Romero Insurance Brokers. Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice works with families of children and babies with life-limiting conditions from diagnosis, through bereavement and to a life beyond loss. With staff involved in such important and challenging work, the hospice runs a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, access to counselling and individual sessions with a qualified resilience / wellbeing coach. The hospice was up against some fantastic other entries in this category but the judges felt that the support provided to employees of the winner merited the award given the vital work done by those staff members. One worker said: “I feel like the organisation as whole really cares about its staff and is very supportive and caring. I feel like the work we do is very rewarding and it is a special place to work.” Photo: Gerard Binks