Employment Law Solutions crowned Peoples Choice Cheshire champion in front of a capacity crowd
Family businesses from across the North West celebrated in spectacular style at The North West Family Business Awards on Friday night at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool’s iconic Titanic Hotel.
The city’s historic Stanley Docks was the setting for the sell-out 2022 Awards, organised by The Family Business Community. The North West Family Business Awards celebrate family businesses of all sizes and sectors covering Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside.
A capacity crowd of over 400 gathered on the night to see the winners of the region’s best family businesses revealed, including representatives from over 60 family business finalists, plus judges, sponsors and event hosts Sue Howorth, Dave Clarkson and food writer and presenter, Nigel Barden.
The Awards opened with an energetic dance sequence from the Liverpool-based Leah McDonald School of Dance, which was followed by a three-course meal and lively entertainment from Lord of the Dance fiddler player, Richard Sanderson.
Organisers of the event, Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson said, “We wanted this year’s awards to be something really special and we’re delighted with how it came together on the night. Our Awards are anything but a run of the mill business awards – it’s a celebration of the ecosystem that is family business!”
They added, “There was such an appetite for the Awards this year and the atmosphere and buzz in the room was electric. The week before, we had to close ticket sales as we’d completely sold out!”
“What was also nice this year was that over 80% of applicants were completely new to us, so it was great to meet lots of new family businesses and welcome them into our family business community”.
Among the winners was Nantwich-based Employment Law Solutions, which won the award for People’s Choice Cheshire and was also shortlisted in the Business Services category.
“This award is down to our team and our client’s hard work”
Alf Murphy, Managing Director of Employment Law Solutions commented, “We were so honoured to have been shortlisted for the awards and have the opportunity to attend such a prestigious event. We never expected to win the People’s Choice Cheshire award, so to say the team was over the moon is an understatement!
He added, “I am so proud to work alongside my family, not only my biological but the team as well and we are so grateful for our amazing client base, everyone feels like family to me.”
“This award is down to our team and our client’s hard work. The Cheshire region had the most votes overall in this category and it wouldn’t have been possible without our client’s support and the team’s determination to make it possible. We are incredibly lucky to have a team and client base that share our same core values.”
“With this being Employment Law Solutions’ first award, we felt extremely fortunate to celebrate this award in style with the whole team and their partners in Liverpool, something that five years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of happening. This is a true testament to how hard the team has worked over the years to get our name on the map. I am really hopeful that this will be the first of many more awards to come and recognition for our fantastic team.”
Another win for a Nantwich-based business at the awards!
Cheshire Botanicals, another Nantwich-based family business who were established in 2019, were winners of ‘the emerging family business award. The mum, dad, and daughter trio were all in attendance in Liverpool and they were seen celebrating by popping a cork! They are famous for the family’s first London dry Nantwich Gin which is a deliciously-distinctive spirit to be enjoyed all year round.
The full list of winners for the North West Family Business Awards 2022:
Agribusiness: Smithills Open Farm – Greater Manchester
Best Social Impact: ESG & Grassroots
ESG – Herdy – Cumbria
Grass Roots – Elektec – Lancashire
Business Services: Hackney and Leigh – Cumbria
Construction & Engineering: Story Decorating Group – Cumbria
Emerging Family Business: Cheshire Botanicals – Cheshire
Food and Drink Establishments: The Dalesman Country Inn – Cumbria
Food and Drink Producers: Pennington’s Tea and Coffee – Cumbria
Haulage and Logistics: Farrall’s Group – Cheshire
Leisure & Tourism: The Yan at Broadrayne – Cumbria
Manufacturing: Clark Door Limited – Cumbria
Retailers: Laurens Cows – Cumbria
Wholesalers: Algeos – Merseyside
Employee of the Year: Michelle Mooney of G&J Shuttleworth Ltd – Lancashire
People’s Choice – Cumbria: Cable and Blake
People’s Choice – Lancashire: New Brooms
People’s Choice – Greater Manchester: Jardin Living
People’s Choice – Cheshire: Employment Law Solutions
People’s Choice – Merseyside: Spice Kitchen
Judges Award: Mantle Packaging – Lancashire
North West Family Business of the Year: Farrall’s Group – Cheshire
Entries for The North West Family Business Awards 2023 will open on 6th October at the Family Business MidiCon at Levens Hall, Cumbria. The 2023 Awards will be held in Cheshire next May.
