While we’ve certainly seen some challenging times in business over the past few years, the role of honour at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 demonstrated that taking some time out from the cut and thrust still seems pretty popular.
Leisure virtually became the theme of the awards ceremony, held at the County Ground on Thursday, November 7, where the likes of Whilton Mill Karting & Outdoor Activities, Northamptonshire Sport, Billing Aquadrome’s parent company Meadow Bay Villages, pub group Greedy Gordons, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust and Memento Exclusives all went away with a trophy.
The rest of the business community didn’t go unnoticed, of course, with, among others, Apertus Group, Franklins Solicitors and CB Tax Ltd also picking up awards.
The evening was guaranteed to be fun right from the start, with Taskmaster’s Alex Horne taking the stage as host, ably supported by his musical comedy band, The Horne Section. They joined the audience of more than 500 guests once the drinks reception and three-course dinner were over.
Opening proceedings, Ben Thomas, Managing Director of awards organisers All Things Business announced that this year’s special award – presented annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the county – had been renamed the David Laing Award in honour of the former Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire who died earlier this year.
Ben said:
“David passed away earlier this year and will be deeply missed, as he had a positive effect on thousands of people. In 2019, David was the recipient of what was then the Outstanding Contribution Award, which is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond for our county.
“To honour David, and with his wife Mary’s blessing, the award will now be known as The David Laing CBE Award.”
Receiving the inaugural David Laing Award was Gavin Warren, who stepped down as Chairman of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club early this year, and who has been instrumental in not only helping the club regain financial stability, but has also played a major part in helping cricket adapt to the future – bringing the likes of T20 Blast to the County Ground and helping devise The Hundred, a faster, limited ball format.
Gavin said:
“Firstly, thank you for this award. We have three professional sports clubs in this county, as well as Silverstone, and we should be very proud. We have a wonderful county, wonderful sport and to come together on an evening like this to celebrate in the way we have is amazing, well done everyone.”
Northampton singer Billy Lockett made a special guest appearance on the night to perform as it was announced that local mental health and suicide prevention charity, Kelly’s Heroes was the chosen charity partner for this year’s awards.
James Argent, better known as Arg from the TV hit The Only Way Is Essex took to the stage with singer Tony Roberts to finish the evening with some dance floor classics.
Find more about the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 via our website.
NBEAs 2024 Winners:
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Moulton College
Maddie Humphrey – Apertus Group
Innovation Award
Sponsored by Mannol UK
Acorn Safety Services
Land & Development Award
Sponsored by Moore
Whilton Mill Karting & Outdoor Activities
Legal Firm
Sponsored by Bechtle
Franklins Solicitors LLP
Accountancy Firm of the Year
Sponsored by Franklins Solicitors LLP
CB Tax Limited
Community Project or Person of the Year
Sponsored by O’Riordan Bond
Northamptonshire Sport – HAF Programme
Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Medigold Health
See Limited
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by The Grosvenor Group
KRW Accountants Ltd
Employee of the Year
Sponsored by Reed
Taylor Marriott – Meadow Bay Villages
Businessman of the Year
Sponsored by More Recruitment Group
Richard Gordon – Greedy Gordons
Businesswoman of the Year
Sponsored by DFA Law
Lucienne Shakir – Lucienne Coaching
Venue of the Year
Sponsored by J Sweeney Accountants
Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust
Business of the Year
Sponsored by HR Solutions
The NX Group
BIG Business of the Year
Sponsored by MHA
Memento Exclusives
The David Laing CBE Award
Gavin Warren – Northamptonshire County Cricket Club
