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Hundreds of guests and expectant finalists filled the hall on the large University of Nottingham campus for the NottinghamshireLive Business Awards 2021.

Law firms, architecture firms, web designers, technical innovators, and foodies – small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and some of the biggest players on the scene – gathered to celebrate the return to business.

The black tie event, hosted in partnership with Champions (UK) PLC, took place at the De Vere East Midlands Conference Center and was concrete evidence that Nottingham and the wider county are truly open to business.

Presented by the Olympic silver medalist Gail Emms MBE and the author, broadcaster and comedian Mark Dolan, the glamorous dinner went on late into the night.

During the evening, the guests were entertained by comedian and musician Steve Womack and participated in a silent auction to raise money for charity partner Rainbows.

Only one company could win in each category, and for the winners it was a night of high spirits made even more special by the personal celebrations.

Winners like Becky Valentine and Victoria Green, co-owners of Spenbeck, the real estate consulting and creative agency founded by their father Mich Stevenson in 1981.

Mr Stevenson, who partied with his daughters, spent 40 years protecting and preserving the lace market and saving iconic buildings like old Shire Hall on the High Pavement and the Adams Building on Stoney Street from the wrecking ball.

The family business was finally honored with the Contribution to the Community Award for its numerous achievements.

Becky Valentine said, “It’s huge. For us it is a celebration of our work over the past eleven years.

“But more importantly, it is a reminder for everyone of our 40-year-old father’s contribution that Spenbeck put the well-being and celebration of Nottingham at the heart of everything we do.”

There were a total of 15 categories designed to recognize the wide variety of talent and innovation in Nottinghamshire.

The categories include recognition of the company with the best apprenticeship numbers, which went to Motus VW Van Services in Nottingham.

There was an award for digital and technological excellence awarded by Beeston-based digital agency Hex Productions. And a family business award won by UK Meds online pharmacy.

The company, which won the prestigious and coveted sales and marketing award this year, has certainly made a name for itself in Nottingham, which management attributes to its ability to innovate over the past 18 months of uncertainty.

Six years ago, the handmade donut maker Doughtotts was a company that traded on market stalls. Today, these handmade donuts are on sale in stores and cafes across the country, and the company has sales of nearly £ 2 million a year in three stores in Nottingham, Leicester and Lincoln, with a fourth opening at the end of the month.

Company of the year | Sponsored by BMI The Park Hospital – Mansfield Sands

Medium-sized company of the year | Sponsored by WestBridge Tax – The RU Group

Start-Up Company of the Year | Sponsored by Breedon Electrical Services – Works Social

Entrepreneur of the Year | Sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau – TTK Confectionery

Employer of the year | Sponsored by George Square Financial Management – Primary Integrated Community Services

Customer Service Excellence Award | Sponsored by Shredall SDS Group – BMI The Park Hospital

Professional services | Sponsored by Mazars – Air IT

Innovation award for outstanding performance | Sponsored by Gateley Legal – Luxfer gas cylinders

Contribution to the Community Award | Funded by National Maintenance – Spenbeck

Family business of the year | Sponsored by Handley House – UK Meds

Sales and Marketing Award | Sponsored by Tate-Donotts

Apprentice Employer of the Year | Sponsored by Futures – Motus Commercials

Excellence in Industry | Sponsored by WBS Group – Design Haus

Digital and Technology Prize | Sponsored by Openreach – HeX Productions

Award for Nonprofit Organizations | Sponsored by De Vere – Maggies Nottingham

Nottinghamshire Live Business Awards

General manager Hannah Byrne said the lockdown, which could have posed a serious threat to their business, presented a silver lining for the company.

“We had to re-evaluate the lockdown,” she said shortly after receiving the award on stage. “We couldn’t reach our customers. We had to go online and come up with other ideas. “

And Donotts Marketing Manager Daniel Byrne said, “If you can’t reach these customers, you can’t open your stores. Then how do you pay the bills?

“You take all the ideas that were in the back of your head and bring them to the front.”

The highlight of the evening was the Company of the Year award, which went to 180-year-old Mansfield Sand, a supplier of sand for a variety of purposes and venues including the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, and the Leicester grounds City.

Following the award, Richard Abraham, Managing Director of Mansfield Sand said, “We have been working towards this. In recent years we have really come to our strengths with massive restructuring and an understanding of where we want to be as a company.

“We really are the best version of Mansfield Sand we have ever had. We have a great team. Without it, we are not what we are today. We are so grateful for everyone’s efforts. “

Nottinghamshire Live Business Awards 2021

In its long history, Mansfield Sand has gone through many periods of drastic change, not the least of which is the Covid pandemic and the unprecedented disruptions it has brought about. And, said Mr Abraham, like all companies, the company is being forced to adapt.

“It makes you regroup and understand where you need to be as a company. It lets you play to your strengths and that’s really a team question.

“It’s about this purpose. It was an incredible effort. “

In the last 18 months of change and upheaval, a tremendous effort has been made by all of the award winners.

While not everyone won, the dinner was a celebration of the drive and determination that kept these businesses going and a toast to the wealth of entrepreneurial talent across the region.