Winners of regional business awards revealed

Infrastructure engineers Crown Highways have received the top prize at this year’s Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual awards.

Crown Highways, the winners of the Large Business of the Year award, received the award alongside eight additional category winners in a grand ceremony at the Drayton Manor Hotel, supported by returning headline sponsors Amazon.

The event was hosted by radio presenter Donna Alos and attended by 220 delegates.

This year’s awards were judged by Tony Elvin, general manager at Touchwood Solihull and president of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce, Neelam Heera, founder of Cysters, Yung Lau, strategic consultant at Jacobs, Hannah Montgomery, managing director at Golddust Marketing and judge chair Lillian Elekan, head of membership at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Crown Highways aim to be the number one highway contractor in the West Midlands, providing excellence in their delivery of works through a locally sourced, competent, and safe workforce.

The last year has seen huge success for the company’s strategic growth plan as they were named one of 50 contractors to win places on a £3.6bn National Highways Scheme Delivery Framework to carry out maintenance and renewals on England’s motorway and trunk road network.

Due to continued investment in their people the company have achieved an 80 per cent staff retention rate. They have also made commitments to support the future workforce in the uptake of apprentice programmes through ‘The 5% Club’, as well as establishing an in-house Training Academy.

Crown Highways have plans to expand on their Social Value Model through which they have already invested £50,000 in local social value activity since August 2021. Their social commitment also extends to ensuring sustainable delivery and resources across their projects where possible

In addition to announcing the individual Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth and Cannock Small Business and President’s award winners, Jessica Greaney was singled out on awards night as the worthy winner of Young Professional of the Year for her exceptional contribution to the content strategy and success of marketing firm EDGE Creative.

Chris Brewerton, divisional head of the Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield & Tamworth Chambers of Commerce, said: “The SLTC awards have been a wonderful showcase of all the positive and inspiring work businesses across our respective districts have done during the past 12 months.

“It’s always great to see everyone come together, particularly this year after the sacrifices we’ve all had to make due to the pandemic, and we are so proud to have such incredible business as part of our network.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and also to all of those businesses who applied or who were shortlisted.

“Thanks to our sponsors, event organisers and guests for making it a night to remember.”

AWARD WINNERS:

Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Large Business of the Year (sponsored by Haines Watts)

Crown Highways

Sutton Coldfield Chamber President’s Award (sponsored by Burley Browne)

Dennis Kennedy

Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber President’s Award (sponsored by Lichfield District Council)

Fiona Rouse

Cannock Chase Chamber President’s Award (sponsored by Inspired Energy)

Chris Wheeler

Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council)

Grant McKnight

Lichfield Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Crown Highways)

The Listening Centre

Tamworth Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Tamworth Borough Council)

PI-KEM

Cannock Chase Small Business of the Year (in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub)

Empire Kitchens & Appliances

Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Young Professional of the Year (sponsored by South Staffordshire College)

Jessica Greaney, EDGE Creative