Technology drives business, and it certainly drove this year’s Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, where innovation and forward-thinking stood out among the winners.
Like Innovation Award winner Spraylat International, with its groundbreaking safety spray that reduces the risks from solar panels in the event of a fire; Biovate Hygienics, that took the Sustainability Award, a firm that has harnessed science to develop cleaning products that are made and used with environmental credentials front and centre; and Business of the Year Simply Techspace, which provides a full range of technology and IT advice and support to clients across the county and the UK.
EquiTech, a company based in Vulcan Works in Northampton that helps organisations get the most from their IT systems, won the Professional Services Award; and Garry Summers from coding and handling systems firm i-mark Ltd was named Businessman of the Year.
Comedian Russell Kane hosted the evening at The County Ground, home of Northamptonshire County Cricket, entertaining an audience of more than 400 guests before introducing the awards and inviting the sponsors on stage to announce the winners.
Welcoming the evening’s guests, Ben Thomas, Managing Director of event organisers All Things Business, said: “Tonight once again, we will recognise and celebrate individuals, teams, initiatives and businesses that have had a very special 12 months.
“Evenings like this could not take place without the support of our sponsors. Some of them have been with us for eight years now, they believed in our vision and shared our passion from the start. Others are more recent, but together we are making a difference.”
Ben also welcomed a table of guests from Kelly’s Heroes, the awards’ Charity Partner.
Paul Meadows from SENDS4DAD, who won the Community Project or Person of the Year Award, said: “This is about raising the profile of people in that situation. To reach out to dads, who can get quite isolated when they are bringing up a disabled child, and be there to support them.
“When I saw the list of finalists I didn’t think for one minute I could win – there were so many deserving causes, so I am very proud.”
The Businessman of the Year Award went to Garry Summers from i-mark Ltd. He said: “I knew when I started that this business could be profitable and strong and this accolade shows that we are on the right trajectory. I have a fantastic team behind me, and this cements the fact that we are on the right track.”
Matt Dann from Simply Techspace, which was named Business of the Year, said: “We have won a few awards lately, but this is the best of the lot and that’s because when I looked at the standard of the competition, I really didn’t expect to win.
“It’s a real accolade, and a testament to the strength of our team. I’m very proud and very happy.”
The proceedings closed with the presentation of the David Laing Award to Jim Wright, retired director of Wright Logistics and the creator of the Conversation with Cadets event, a careers fair that brings together forces cadets and employers.
Princess Anne visited this year’s event, held at the Clare Street Army Reserve Centre, and described what Jim has created as ‘unique’ and commended the Cadet Forces and praised the organisers, employers, Volunteers and Cadets for all coming together to make the careers showcase possible.
Speaking after receiving the award, Jim, who founded Wright Logistics and worked with the Northamptonshire Logistics Forum for some years, said: “I am blown away to receive this award. I knew David Laing and I am so proud to win an award in his name.
“It was totally unexpected, but this is for the cadets and all the team that help me do what we do.”
To view the gallery please visit, https://awards.allthingsbusiness.co.uk/nbea/nbea-2025-awards-gallery/
