Almost 100 businesses have earned a place in the final round of the Red Rose Awards 2023, the UK’s biggest regional business awards.
After rigorous selection processes, six companies in each of the 21 categories will now be invited to Burnley FC’s Turf Moor on February 8 and 9 to present their cases in person to independent judging panels.
The panels, consisting of business leaders from various sectors across Lancashire, will hear the case of every finalist before agreeing their winner in each category.
Those names will be kept a closely-guarded secret until the awards ceremony itself on March 9 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
An audience of more than 1,000 is expected at the finale of the awards programme, which is now in its 13th year of celebrating the most innovative, impactful and successful Lancashire businesses.
The categories up for grabs include sector-specific awards such as digital, professional services and tourism. There are awards for specific achievements, such as customer service and scaling-up, and three new awards for 2023: the transformation award, commitment to skills award and one recognising the best of environmental, social and governance (ESG).
Each of the companies on the shortlist has been assessed for suitability by global top 10 auditing specialist RSM.
Karen Musgrave, office managing partner for RSM Preston, said: “We are very proud to be the validation partner for the Red Rose Awards this year. We have seen so many fantastic entries, from both familiar faces and future stars, showcasing the entrepreneurial and dynamic spirit of our region.
“We wish the best of luck to the finalists as they move on to the next stage and look forward to celebrating the successes of local businesses at the upcoming awards ceremony.”
Lancaster University, a global top 100 institution, is supporting the awards as the official judging partner.
Mark Rushforth, the university’s associate director of enterprise and innovation, said: “Lancaster University has a long history of working with and supporting businesses across the Lancashire region to innovate and grow. We recognise the hard work that organisations have been doing over the years, and we are both excited and proud to be the Red Rose Awards judging partner this year.
“We look forward to reviewing the entries and as well as the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all those who have taken the time to put themselves forward for this event.”
This year’s awards have again been sponsored by Forbes Solicitors, the headline sponsor every year since its inception, alongside Barclays, which has sponsored the event for each of the last ten years.
Pauline Rigby, managing partner at Forbes, said: “Shortlisting this year was incredibly difficult. The calibre of the businesses was outstanding and a testament to the quality of businesses we have here in the county.
“Congratulations to all, and we look forward to meeting them at the judging process which continues to be one of my favourite days in the business calendar.”
John Stanworth, head of corporate banking at Barclays in Lancashire and Cumbria, said: “The entries for the Red Rose Awards 2023 are of great quality and it’s been fantastic to see businesses that haven’t been involved before put themselves forward.
“It has been a very difficult job indeed and those that have been named finalists should be very proud. We look forward to meeting all the shortlisted businesses on the judging days and celebrating the success of the Lancashire business community on the big night in March.”
Stephen Bolton, managing director of Lancashire Business View which organises the awards, said: “As our partners have mentioned, the calibre of entrants and finalists this year is exceptionally high. We’re proud that we’re able to bring such a fantastic group of businesses together and showcase their achievements.
“The standard of competition is also why it’s important for us to have a thorough, impartial and credible judging process in place. That’s why alongside our headline sponsors, Forbes Solicitors and Barclays, we have RSM and Lancaster University leading the verification and selection process.
“Any business that wins an award can be especially proud knowing how tough it is to shine above all of their peers and to have their excellence recognised by the independent judging panel.”
The Red Rose Awards 2023 finalists are:
Built Environment Award
Sponsored by Harrison Drury Solicitors
Anderton Gables, Preston
Fox Brothers Group, Blackpool
Harrison Pitt Architects, Lancaster
Kingswood Homes, Little Hoole
Pendle Hill Properties, Burnley
Wareing Buildings, Preston
Commitment to Skills Award
Sponsored by ELE Advanced Technologies
Advocacy Focus, Accrington
Ewood Experience, Blackburn
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chorley
Shelter Lancashire, Blackburn
VEKA, Burnley
WEC Group, Darwen
Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Serconnect
Alcidion UK, Burnley
Havwoods Global Holdings, Carnforth
International Dyslexia Learning Solutions (IDLS), Lancaster
Trident Utilities, Blackpool
WCF Fuels North West, Carnforth
Woodcocks, Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors, Accrington
Design Award
Sponsored by Peter Scott Printers
Bigtank Productions, Ramsbottom
EXP, Lancaster
Kingfisher Couture, Chorley
StudioLWD, Poulton Le Fylde
TCB Designs, Burnley
Think!Creative, Poulton Le Fylde
Digital Award
Sponsored by Pierce
+24, Burnley
Alcidion UK, Burnley
Granby Marketing Services, Blackburn
Novi Digital, Lancaster
Scrap Local, Accrington
VisionsLive, Lancaster
Employer of the Year Award
Sponsored by Four Recruitment
B2BTradeCard, Chorley
Granby Marketing Services, Blackburn
Pendleside Hospice, Burnley
Senator International, Accrington
Service Care Solutions, Preston
Tharstern, Colne
Environmental, Social and Governance Award
Sponsored by Community Foundation for Lancashire
Backhouse Jones, Clitheroe
Burnley FC in the Community, Burnley
CooKit, Burnley
Landfill Projects, Chorley
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Export Award
Sponsored by PM+M
BMP Europe, Accrington
GA Pet Food Partners, Chorley
Interfloor, Rossendale
International Dyslexia Learning Solutions (IDLS), Lancaster
MattressTek, Rossendale
VetPlus, Lytham
Family Business Award
Sponsored by Napthens Solicitors
Addison Precision, Thornton-Cleveleys
Decca Plastics, Preston
GA Pet Food Partners, Chorley
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
Readyfix, Preston
Stables Pies, Clitheroe
Health and Wellbeing Award
Sponsored by Alcidion
Burnley FC in the Community, Burnley
Delta Care, Preston
Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, Preston
Healthier Heroes CIC, Burnley
Revive Mind Body, Waterfoot
Unique Home Care, Preston
Large Business Award
Sponsored by Forbes Solicitors
BAKO, Preston
Bowland Inns & Hotels, Clitheroe
CMAC Group, Accrington
Hippo Motor Group, Blackburn
Senator International, Accrington
Star Tissue UK, Blackburn
Made in Lancashire Award
Sponsored by Barclays
Addison Precision, Thornton-Cleveleys
CooKit, Burnley
Scentish, Rawtenstall
Sm@rt Technology, Preston
VetPlus, Lytham
WEC Group, Darwen
Medium Business Award
Sponsored by Azets
Aspire UK Interiors, Nelson
CooKit, Burnley
Granby Marketing Services, Blackburn
LCM Environmental Services, Burnley
Service Care Solutions, Preston
Unique Home Care, Preston
Micro Business Award
Sponsored by Chorley Council
icon kitchen studio, Rawtenstall
Nook, Euxton
NORI HR And Employment Law, Accrington
North Star Projects, Heysham
NW Recruitment Services, Burnley
Think!Creative, Poulton-le-Fylde
New Business Award
Sponsored by U Start Project
MPTENGINEERING, Burnley
Nook, Euxton
OnyxPDA, Chorley
Stipendium, Chorley
Switch Property Group, Preston
Upholstery2u, Nelson
Not-for-profit Award
Sponsored by United Utilities
Advocacy Focus, Accrington
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, Blackburn
DEPHER CIC, Burnley
Empowerment Charity, Blackburn
Pendleside Hospice, Burnley
The Boathouse Youth, Blackpool
Professional Services Award
Sponsored by Porsche Centre Preston
Adkirk Law, Preston
Backhouse Jones, Clitheroe
Becketts FS, Poulton Le Fylde
Brown & Co, Thornton-Cleveleys
Eventus Recruitment Group, Lancaster
Woodcocks, Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors, Accrington
Scale-Up Award
Sponsored by Cube Thinking
B2BTradeCard, Chorley
Chiptech, Lancaster
Hippo Motor Group, Blackburn
LCM Environmental Services, Burnley
Northern Industrial, Blackburn
Star Tissue UK, Blackburn
Small Business Award
Sponsored by Fox Group
+24, Burnley
B2BTradeCard, Chorley
Chiptech, Lancaster
International Dyslexia Learning Solutions (IDLS), Lancaster
Poppy Signs, Chorley
Scentish, Rawtenstall
Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Award
Sponsored by Porsche Centre Bolton
263 Preston, Preston
Holmes Mill, Clitheroe
Lancashire Outdoor Activities Initiative - Anderton Centre, Chorley
Mytton Fold Hotel, Blackburn
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
Winter Gardens Blackpool, Blackpool
Transformation Award
Sponsored by UCLan
Blackpool Council, Blackpool
Empine Group, Darwen
KeyFleet, Blackburn
LCM Environmental Services, Burnley
Nelson & Colne College Group, Nelson
The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth
The awards are sponsored by Alcidion, Azets, Bigtank Productions, Burnley FC, Business Health Matters, Campbell & Rowley, Chorley Council, Community and Business Partners, Community Foundation for Lancashire, Cube Thinking, ELE Advanced Technologies, Four Recruitment, Fox Group, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Mattioli Woods, Peter Scott Printers, Pierce, PM+M, Porsche Centre Bolton, Porsche Centre Preston, Napthens Solicitors, Nybble.co.uk, Sales Geek, Serconnect, The Fun Experts, United Utilities, University of Central Lancashire and U Start Project.
The awards are supported by AMRC North West, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Daniel Thwaites, Mytton Fold, Partners&, Pink Link, Marketing Lancashire, Shout Connect and Winter Gardens Blackpool.
For further information, quotes or images please contact Rachael Norris on the details below.
All finalists can be viewed on the awards website www.redroseawards.co.uk