Family businesses from all corners of Yorkshire and Humberside celebrated in style on Friday night at the inaugural Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards, held at Headingley Stadium.
The venue which has famously hosted many great sporting competitions over the years was an iconic setting for the evening, where an eager crowd assembled to hear the winners revealed. Representatives from the 29 family business finalists, judges and sponsors were in attendance alongside event hosts Sue Howorth, Dave Clarkson and food writer and presenter, Nigel Barden.
Organised by The Family Business Community who unite and represent family businesses across the UK, the Awards champion family firms from across North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside, recognising their significance within their local and regional communities and celebrating their successes in style.
Dancers from The Dance Studio Leeds opened the evening with a captivating performance, which was followed by a three-course meal and lively entertainment from Lord of the Dance fiddler player, Richard Sanderson.
Organisers of the awards, Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson said, “Establishing a new Family Business Awards in this fantastic area of the UK has been a rewarding journey, not least because of the variety of thriving family businesses that exist here. We wanted the night to be a special occasion for all those involved, and we’re delighted with how it came together – it was a true celebration of all that’s great about family businesses!”
Among the winners were John Good Group who won the ‘Best Social Impact’ category before taking the crown of overall Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year.
Adam Walsh, Group CEO of John Good Group said, “It was a fantastic evening hosted by The Family Business Community and we were delighted to come away with two accolades this year. The John Good Group is a special business, being a 6th generation family firm and it’s great to think we will go into our 190th year of trading as the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year.”
He added, “We believe that family businesses can be a huge driver of change, and with so many major challenges facing communities across the country, now is a critical time for us to step up to the plate.
“Our business aims to put the environment and the communities we operate in at the heart of our choices, even to the detriment of profit. It was great to hear the stories of many other family businesses doing the same thing at the awards night and as a cohort, I’m sure that we will be a force for good well into the future for people across Yorkshire, Humberside and beyond.”
Each of the shortlisted finalists received an in-person judging visit before the judging panel began the difficult task of deciding on the final winners.
In addition to the main sector-specific categories, the People’s Choice and Employee of the Year awards invited nominations for finalists from the public. Over 1,200 votes were placed for People’s Choice finalists across the four counties, as well as a further 550 votes for the Employee of the Year category, won by Carl Foster of JSW 4 Jumps Ltd.
The full list of winners for the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards 2022 are:
Agribusiness
Little Wold Vineyard
Best Social Impact
John Good Group
Business Services
Howarths
Construction, Property & Engineering
Alfred Bagnall and Sons Limited
Emerging Family Business
The Yorkshire Pasta Company
Food & Drink Establishments
The Whole Hogg Farm Shop & Team Rooms
Food and Drink Producers
Wold Top Brewery
Haulage and Logistics
Campeys of Selby Ltd
Leisure and Tourism
Grassington House
Manufacturing
Tiger Sheds
Retailers and Etailers
Vintage Sofa Co.
Wholesalers
Anglo Stainless Ltd
Employee of the Year
JSW 4 Jumps Ltd – Carl Foster
People’s Choice Award
Harrison-Lock Family Butchers Ltd
Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year
John Good Group
Dave Clarkson, Co-Founder of the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards added, “We’d like to thank all our judges and events team for their hard work, our sponsors for their support and to everyone who entered the awards this year!”
The Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards 2023 will take place next November. Expressions of interest for YHFBA 2023 will open later this week, with entries opening in May 2023.
