Making a welcome change from last year, which featured a still well-received virtual event, the 5th annual Greater Manchester Business Awards took place with a glitzy black tie gala finale at Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester on 3 September. Organisers Rich Media Group International missed out on presenting a live finale last year due to the pandemic, however, we were very firmly back with a fantastic face to face event this year and Rich Media certainly didn’t disappoint!
The evening got off to a brilliant start with complimentary drinks and the chance for businesses to network as well as treat their staff to special evening. The three course meal provided by Hotel Brooklyn was exceptional, and the ambience was completed by guest vocalist Andy Powell singing his way through some very popular numbers. Host for the evening was Paul Crone from ITV. Business Connect Magazine have been media sponsors from the very first event that took place in 2017, kicking off with a glitzy black tie awards ceremony at the Edwardian Radisson Hotel in the centre of Manchester. From there the event has grown in popularity, and this year was a total sell-out. Jon Cheetham from sponsors Business Connect Magazine commented: “As the 5th awards took place we are very happy to be invited as sponsors once again by Rich Media Group. As organisers they have once again done a fantastic job, highlighting the remarkable businesses that Greater Manchester as a region promotes. The event is particularly important to us as we are growing as a magazine, and rebranding to cover the whole of the UK and beyond. This provides a great opportunity for the best of the region’s businesses to showcase themselves to our readership which has been growing beyond the region itself.”
Organiser Sophie Richardson (Rich Media Group) observed: “Like Business Connect Magazine, we’ve been involved with the awards since the first event in 2017. For the past two years we’ve loved the whole process of organising everything, and with our particular expertise in video production have ensured each finalist has the opportunity to present their business to everyone in the room on the night. This year we have presented a total of 13 categories, one of which (Fundraiser of the Year) had their winner already announced before the event this evening. Thanks also to our judges – Andy Preston, Paul Mirage, Heather Baker, Gavin Redman, and Carole Fossey. They had a very difficult task deciding the winners and it’s fair to say the final voting was extremely close.”
Congratulations to all the winners:
KEYWORKER SUPPORT : Staycity Aparthotels Manchester Piccadilly
WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE : Realm Recruit
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (Under 5 Employees) : Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (5 – 10 Employees) : Feel Good Club
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (10 – 20 Employees) : ABC+ Warranty
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (Over 20 Employees) : Together Trust
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR : Paul Bayliss (GM of Hotel Brooklyn)
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR : HOME
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY : Entrepreneurs Unlocked
FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR : Interact CC Ltd
LOCKDOWN VIRTUAL BUSINESS : IdealHouseShare
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE : Bluebell Fitted Furniture
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR : Leap29
To find out more about the Greater Manchester Business Awards for 2022: greatermanchesterawards.co.uk
sophie@richmediagroup.co.uk
0161 635 6209
Photography by Martin Hambleton 07766 815703
