Wakefield’s best business awards are back for 2023

After a stellar first year which saw 13 awards winners celebrated in style, the Wakefield Business Awards from We Are Wakefield are back for 2023.

With a refreshed list of categories aimed at giving businesses of all shapes and sizes from across the district a chance to show off their awesomeness, the awards are now open for entries, with a deadline of 28 July 2023.

Judging will take place over the summer and the shortlist will be announced in September, with the ceremony held on 9th November.

Following the sell-out success of last year’s event, capacity will be doubled for 2023 and held at an incredible new venue. TILEYARD NORTH will be the venue for the glittering awards ceremony and ITV’s Christine Talbot returns as host for the evening.

We Are Wakefield Managing Director Claire Sutherley said: “We couldn’t have dreamed of how successful last year’s awards ceremony would be. We celebrated everything that’s amazing about businesses from across the Wakefield District.

“We pulled off what we hoped to – providing a platform for our area’s companies to shout about what makes them amazing. So this year we’re going bigger and even better!

“We’ve listened to feedback and carefully curated the list of categories, so we hope all Wakefield businesses will find a category that suits them. And we’re maintaining the independence and credibility of the awards with an independent judging panel drawn from last year’s winners and a range of vetted volunteers.”

Businesses don’t have to be members of We Are Wakefield to submit an entry but they do have to have a WF postcode or be under the Wakefield local authority.

Our main sponsors return for 2023 with Wakefield First as Headline Sponsors supported by local businesses, Juice Personnel and Solupak Ltd.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said:

“We’re thrilled to be, once again, headline sponsor of the Wakefield Business Awards. The awards recognise the talent, success stories and hard work that goes on within our business community across the district and across all sectors including everyone small start-up businesses to large household names.

“We know the last few years have been challenging for businesses in many ways and we continue to support activity that helps rebuild our economy and support our businesses to thrive long into the future.”

 

The categories are:

• Collaboration of the year *NEW*
• Employee of the year *NEW*
• Creative business of the year*NEW*
• Not for profit/charity of the year *NEW*
• Small business, big impact – supply chain hero*NEW*
• Independent retail or hospitality business of the year *NEW*
• Business growth success story
• Thinking sustainability
• Community engagement
• New business of the year
• Business of the Year
• We Are Wakefield Member of the year – awarded to the WAW member entry to other categories with the highest number of points

To read more about the awards and enter visit:

We Are Wakefield · Representing diverse sectors around Wakefield and Five Towns

 

Welcome to Kerry Daniels and WM Sugdens Ltd.  The Wakefield Shirt Group comprises of two businesses with a combined heritage of over 200 years in the apparel industry. These businesses are DoubleTWO and WM Sugdens.

DoubleTWO are a well-established shirtmaker, founded in 1940. Set up by Isaak Donner who came to Britain to escape Nazi persecution, the name has become synonymous with innovation and style, revolutionising the shirt making business. Inventing the replacement collar which gave them their name, and creating the world’s first man-made fibre shirt are just some of the achievements DoubleTWO has accomplished over its long and rich history. Continuing to go from strength to strength, the DoubleTWO shirt remains a tireless wardrobe staple.

WM Sugdens are one of the country’s foremost workwear and corporate clothing specialists. Established in 1869 from just one sewing machine in the back of a shop, William Sugden and his family grew the business opening factories all over Yorkshire. Supplying workwear and uniforms to the Emergency Services, as well as to a plethora of private sector industries, WM Sugdens offers an extensive range of clothing, as well as fully bespoke embroidery & uniform design.

Pictured is Kerry Daniels, Chief Financial Officer.  Please make sure you catch up with Kerry at the We Are Wakefield events, or connect on LinkedIn HERE.

   

Say hello to Prosura, the Wakefield based business and lifestyle insurance broker.

Although Prosura is a new brokerage, which launched in January 2023, its founder and team of trusted advisors aren’t new to insurance or the Wakefield district.

Launched by entrepreneur Jon Newall, a third-generation insurance broker who has worked within the industry for 25 years, Prosura supports clients throughout the UK and from a range of sectors including manufacturing, distribution, property and leisure & hospitality.

Jon, comments: “The Prosura ethos is simple. We want to deliver exceptional, personal service and add value at every step of the customer journey when it comes to lifestyle and business insurance.

“Our focus is on getting to know our customers, their business and their most valuable assets. This helps us to take the complexities out of policies and deliver insurance products that are perfectly tailored to individuals and their business needs.”

Kaye Newton, Commercial Account Executives at Prosura, who has worked within insurance for 27 years, adds: “As a team, we thrive on getting to know what customers actually need, and not what they assume or think is right. Our role is to deliver the best service that’s more than just insurance cover.

“There’s no better feeling than knowing you have shared the best advice and that your client has peace of mind knowing that their most valuable assets are fully protected.”

Adding further value, Prosura offers business clients access to the Prosura Digital Lawyer. From legal advice to a legal health check and dynamic legal documents. It is like having your own business lawyer 24/7.

For information about Prosura and its approach to delivering exceptional service for its business and lifestyle customers visit: www.prosura.co.uk or call 01924 562777.

Say hello to Marcus Walsh, Director at Martin Walsh Architectural (MWA), a family-owned firm of architects.

 

RIBA chartered and CIAT approved, MWA has been creating functional, award-winning buildings for more than 47 years. Operating throughout the UK, the team has vast experience in commercial, industrial, retail, restoration and residential architecture.

 

With its reputation for making their buildings work harder, MWA has supported some of our region’s (and the UK’s) most recognised brands including HARIBO, Shepley Spring, Dewsbury Townscape, Esseco and Yummy Yorkshire!

 

Marcus Walsh explains: “Our portfolio of clients is vast; this is a testament to our focus on technical expertise and best practice. Our projects range from creating bespoke homes, developing commercial properties, warehouses and industrial spaces to brand-led restaurants and retail stores.

 

“While distinctly different, at the heart of every project is a desire to create buildings that work harder – whether this is future-proofing an operation, optimising a space or brand, or simply delivering a home for people and business.”

 

MWA is proud of its West Yorkshire footprint and has several major initiatives underway locally with MAP Charity, KMS Transport, Connection, Bell Lighting and MAC Trucks.

 

Marcus adds: “We have always supported local businesses. We love the fact that the buildings we have helped to create, restore or refurbish make our region a great place for businesses to operate, and for individuals to visit and live. We are certainly excited to continue with our vision and ambition alongside the We Are Wakefield community.”

 

From small to large scale jobs, MWA is a versatile practice. Services include Concept Design, Planning Stage, detailed Building Regulation drawings through to Project Management, Contract Administration, Party Wall and Master Planning.

 

Connect with the MWA on LinkedIn, or to find out more visit: www.martinwalsh.co.uk

We are joined by Claire Pedley, Co-Founder of The Poured Project and Raph Taylor, Employability Manager & Careers Lead at Camphill Wakefield.  We discuss both unique journeys and how they resulted in the perfect collaboration.

Active Mortgages are an award-winning brokerage and experts in securing mortgages for self-employed business owners and entrepreneurs.  Their aim is to get your mortgage easily and quickly, without distracting you from your lives or businesses.

When self-employed, getting a mortgage can be difficult. Incomes can be complicated and subject to additional lending criteria.  Active Mortgages understand the problems business owners face and know how to overcome these challenges to find the right lender for you.  Whatever your situation; one year of accounts, a change in company structure, adverse credit, inconsistent income or retained profits needed for affordability, they find the right lender for you.

Laura Bairstow: “My personal passion is to also ensure your business is protected.  So many business owners do not have adequate insurance in place to protect their company debts, profits, ownership, income or family.  No-one can predict the future and business protection is there to act as a safety net against unforeseen events that can cause disruption or even put a business at risk.”

“It’s been great getting to know fellow WAW members.  If you’d like to more about business protection, personal protection or would like support in securing your mortgage, please get in touch.”

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn HERE

Finance Experts | Active Financial (active-financial.co.uk)

Matching the Best Candidates with the Best Companies

Please welcome sisters Jilly Spiers and Sarah Knight of JS Recruitment.

Jilly, Sarah and the team have over 40 years’ experience recruiting for some of the region’s most recognisable employers and represent a vast network of local candidates.

They have a proven track record of success placing candidates from entry through to executive level across the following specialist areas:

• Manufacturing & Engineering
• Procurement & Supply Chain
• Food & FMCG
• Business Services

Jilly and Sarah are looking forward to learning more about and building relationships with fellow We Are Wakefield members – look out for them at the First Friday event on the 5th May where they will have a pop-up stand.

‘Over the past ten years we’ve received fantastic support from the Wakefield business community for which we’re extremely grateful. Whilst working to grow our company we’d really like to give back by helping others whether it be through referring business, providing peer to peer support or just lending an ear during testing times.’

Connect with Jilly and Sarah on LinkedIn

TRINITY PARTNER WITH WE ARE WAKEFIELD

We Are Wakefield are thrilled to announce a joint new partnership with Wakefield Trinity RLFC and the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation.

WAW MD Claire Sutherley said, “We’re so excited to have Wakefield Trinity and the Community Foundation as Supporter Members of We Are Wakefield.  We see it as an important part of WAW’s work to connect business with culture and third sector within the District.  Rugby League runs through the veins of District and is an important part of our lives and connecting with local business will be a fantastic two-way opportunity.  I am looking forward to working with Verity and Mark to promote the club within our membership and beyond.  I’m sure our members will embrace the opportunity to connect with the club in any way they can.”

“We are already seeing the benefit from being partnered with We are Wakefield” said Verity Thomas, Commercial Manager at Trinity. “They run fantastic events which are attended by a large range of businesses from around Yorkshire and we look forward to the partnership going from strength to strength”.

Pictured: John Minards –  Chairman & Verity Thomas –  Commercial Manager

To find out more information about Wakefield Trinity and their corporate offer or how you can connect with the Foundation, please contact:

Verity Thomas – Commercial Manager

T: 01924 211 611, option 2

E: [email protected]

Mark Brennan – Head of Foundation

E: [email protected]

W: www.wakefieldtrinity.com

It was another great night at The Quarry, Horbury for the We Are Wakefield Quiz.  The evening began with welcome drinks courtesy of Pure Purchasing Consultant   as members and guests got their teams together ready to test their knowledge in the hope of winning the WAW Quiz Trophy.

Quizmasters for the evening were John & Rick from The Quarry who got the evening started with round 1 on General Knowledge. After a tightly fought 10 questions, Wordsmiths Unlimited & Good Fundraising claimed the round.

A welcome break for food followed, as we were treated to a selection of curries and side dishes to fuel us up for the next three rounds!

Round 2 tested our knowledge on King Charles III and a VERY low scoring round saw “The Quizards of Ossett” Juice Personnel and Prosura claim the winning vino.

Music was the topic for round 3 which saw the mighty Solupak take victory.

Round 4 saw another win for Juice Personnel and Prosura who were crowned overall winners!  David Haslehurst, Deputy Branch Manager at Handelsbanken Wakefield handed over the trophy to Kelly Smith (Juice Personnel), Jimmy Smith (Juice Personnel), Kay Newton (Prosura), Callum Topliss (Prosura) & Emma Lupton (Open Communications).

The Lambrini Losers with the lowest score of the evening and proving that IT is very much their specialist subject: Eitex!

We can’t wait for the next WAW Quiz Night at The Quarry – watch this space for more details soon.

 

We are proud to announce that The Alternative Board have become We Are Wakefield SUPPORTER MEMBERS.

Here’s what Tim Claverley had to say about the partnership: “At The Alternative Board, Wakefield District myself, Simon Banks and Dougie Brown want to help as many business owners in the area improve their businesses in ways that make a positive impact on their lives.  This can only mean good things happening in the local economy and community.  We want all business owners we work with to get the results you deserve and thrive with other business owners in the Wakefield district.  Just like We Are Wakefield we take a very collaborative approach bringing business owners together with no hidden agendas, we are non-judgemental and want the best for each other.  Together with the other business owners we help challenge decisions, provide advice and bring accountability all with a view to moving you and your business forward in the direction you want it to go.

Do you want quicker, better decisions, more time with the family, to work smarter not harder – these are some of the results you can get working collaboratively with your peers”

If you’d like to know more about how TAB would support you, please connect with Tim via LinkedIn

Or by email: [email protected]

Business Coach and Support in South Leeds – The Alternative Board