The 2024 Bolton News Business Awards took place this evening with cheers all round as a range of local champions took home awards. The event aims to highlight achievements in the area's enterprise with a wide range of different categories. Stanmore Insurance Brokers in Little Lever won the Apprenticeships, Training and Skills Award, sponsored by Stateside Foods.
Based on 30 High Street, the firm has been in operation since 1962. Managing director, Jackie Hyde, said: "We're really happy we didn't expect it. "For 60 years we've always invested in people and I think that's why we won.
" Reach Family Project took home the Heart of the Community Award. The company aims to connect lonely people. Jean Barrass from the company said: "It's very overwhelming, such an honour, started off as an idea 13 years ago and it's come to this.
" James Lever was Family Business of the Year, sponsored by North West Design Studios they produce synthetic ropes from their base in Deane. Chairman, James Lever, said: "I'm shocked, it's an honour to even be considered, really surprised, gobsmacked. "This goes to our 1000s of employees over many years.
" Young Entrepreneur went to Jacob Greenhalgh. Mr Greenhalgh, from Green Gold Events, swapped the kitchen for the golf course in his move away from being a chef. Ben was delighted (Image: NQ) He said: "It's taken me a number of years to get to this stage, but yeah I'm really happy with this award.
" Next up was the Wellbeing Award, which went to job agency, Jobwise. Director, Mick Jones, said:" Because of the industry we're in we've got to show how to keep employees and lead by example, and I think that's why we've won." The firm supports businesses and jobseekers across the region.
'iHeat' then took the prize for the best customer service, they offer next-day boiler installation and are based online. Customer service manager, Olivia Tomlin, said: "People living without hot water is really rubbish and we want to solve that. The team were very pleased (Image: NQ) "We've got an amazing team and we're very happy.
" SME Business of the year was scooped by Box Power CIC. 'The UK's only philanthropic energy consultancy' based in Bolton town centre, say they are not ‘here to make money’, instead ‘to make a difference’. Clique Energy got their hands on the Environmental and Sustainability Award, sponsored by LocalIQ.
The family-owned business based on Bridge St has been installing solar panels since 2014. Tom Cush, managing director, said: "I'd rather Bolton Hospice won it's really difficult to win over them, but I'm really honoured." Hoot Credit Union Ltd were then named Social Enterprise of the Year, based in Victoria Street, they offer financial services for savings and personal loans.
CEO, Chris Canham, said:" We're very pleased with this." Bradshaw-based Wellington boots manufacturer won Retail/Leisure and Hospitality Business of the Year. Regional sales manager, Abi Foster, said: "We're so grateful to win as it was such a tough category.
" The time had come for the coveted prize - Business of the Year, sponsored by NBDA. Assembly Solutions Ltd were the deserved winner. The prestigious accolade went to Assembly Solutions (Image: NQ) The firm uses ‘automatic high-speed machinery’ to produce wire and cable preparation in ‘seconds’.
Managing director, Gareth Balshaw, said: "The stars have aligned for us here, we've grown in staff numbers, sales and our sector in the market. "I'm a bit speechless really." Last but not least, Bolton Wanderers chairman, Sharon Brittan, was honoured with the lifetime achievement award.
Brittan took over Wanderers in 2019, when the club was on the brink of being expelled from the Football League. She said: "I'm so happy. "This is my proudest moment in the five years I've been here.
"Nothing brings people together like football does. "It makes me cry, I'm utterly humbled.".
