The best family businesses across the Midlands are set to be recognised at an awards ceremony, taking place this summer.
The Midlands Family Business Awards are taking place on June 29, returning after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
A list of inspiring finalists have been announced ahead of the event, which is set to shine a light on over 150 years of family-owned businesses in the region this year, by recognising success, achievements and innovations.
Family businesses from the length and breadth of the Midlands are in the running across the 10 categories.
In Leicester, they include ‘Fashion UK’, whose director Gurdev Mattu, has been shortlisted in the ‘Director of the Year’ category, and ‘Shuperb,’ which has been nominated for ‘Digital Excellence.’
The Handy Family Company, which is based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has been shortlisted in the ‘Rising Stars’ category, and Loughborough’s Charles Bentley & Son, is in the running for ‘Family Business of the Year.’
Carl Roberts of Loughborough based CR Civil Engineering, has also been shortlisted as ‘Director of the Year.’
All the finalists are due to meet at a celebration being held at Leicester’s Winstanley House on April 20.
An independent judging panel will decide on the winners of each category, each of which is led by a leading family business individual, supported by a sponsor representative, an industry expert and facilitated by a representative from the awards team.
The finalists are also automatically entered into the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, which will see them face the public vote to find the public’s favourite family businesses.
Headline sponsor, The Wilkins Group, is supporting the awards this year, having been crowned Family Business of the year back at the 10th anniversary award ceremony in 2019.
The black-tie awards ceremony is a summer event being held on 29 June at a venue ‘yet to be confirmed’.
All award profits and funds raised at the event will be donated to the award’s chosen charity for 2023 – Move Against Cancer.
Previously attracting 300 guests including sponsors, judges and finalists, the evening is described as ‘a tribute to the achievements of family businesses in the region’ and ‘an opportunity to bring teams together to meet other like-minded individuals and enjoy an evening of uplifting stories.’
Group managing director of The Wilson Organisation and Midlands Family Business Awards co-founder, Charlotte Perkins said: “We’ve had so many amazing applications this year, and the high calibre of entries continues to demonstrate the exceptional standard of family businesses in the region.
“It’s fantastic to be bringing the awards back after a three-year break and an honour to announce our incredible finalists who we wish the very best of luck when faced with the judges panel in the final round.
“We look forward to welcoming them to our summer ceremony to celebrate in style and we’re so pleased to have our current Family Business of the Year, The Wilkins Group, as our headline sponsor. We’ll see the family hand over the crown to their successor in June, which will be a very special moment to start our second awards decade.”
More information about the awards and finalists, can be found on the Midlands Family Business Awards website at: https://www.familybusinessawards.co.uk/news/news_2019___finalists_announced___copy_
