Revealed - The shortlist for the Harrogate Advertiser Excellence in Business Awards 2020

The judges gathered this week at the Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate to assess piles of entries, and after hours of detailed deliberations the finalists were chosen.

The judging panel consisted of representatives of the individual category sponsors, including Mark Sanderson, director of Si Recruitment; Jane Chamberlain, director of Cicada Communications; Ryan Harrison, head of Private Client at Leathers the Accountants; Mike Patterson, director at Berwins Solicitors; Howard Matthews, senior partner at Howard Matthews Partnership; Oliver Berry, owner and director at Impression Recruitment; Natalie Tam, sales and marketing manager at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society; and Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park.

They were led by Matthew Stamford and James Verity, directors of main sponsor Verity Frearson, and Jacqui Hall, chair of the CBI Yorkshire & the Humber and award-winning president of Harrogate energy supplier CNG Ltd.

Asked what she looked for in entries, Ms Hall said: “It’s not just about the bottom line. I’m always interested in how a business is with its people and with its customers. It’s bigger than just profit.

She added: “Some of the businesses that entered really are our district’s hidden secrets. I was born and bred here, but I never knew they existed, so it was great to be involved.”

Jean MacQuarrie, editor of the Harrogate Advertiser series, said: “I’d like to thank all our judges for giving up their time for this process.

“Our new judge, Jacqui Hall, knows a thing or two about success in business and it was great to have her expertise on hand.

“We are also - as always - extremely grateful to Verity Frearson for their continued support as lead sponsor of the awards. They really know what makes this region’s business community tick, and their input is invaluable.”

The shortlists have narrowed a large field to 55 finalists. The winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony to be held at Pavilions of Harrogate on Thursday, April 2 (see below for details).

BEST RURAL BUSINESS

Sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society

- Agripest Management

- The Dales Stores

- Ripon Farm Services

- Shepherd’s Purse Cheese

- Studfold - ‘The Nidderdale Experience’

TOURISM AWARD

Sponsored by Rudding Park

- Harrogate Christmas Market

- Harrogate Film Festival

- LNER

- Mother Shipton’s

BEST FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS

Sponsored by Leathers the Accountants

- Cause UK

- Green Tech

- Judge Service

- Mama Doreen’s

- Picture News

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Berwins

- The Compliance Company

- FB Taylor (Cable Contractors)

- Howard Conrad

- Radfield Home Care Harrogate

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Howard Matthews Partnership

- Adam Chandler - Reel Film Media

- Neil Addley - Judge Service Research Ltd

- Philip Barker - HRH Group

- Sarah Johnson - Homes4Harrogate

BEST SME (under 50 employees)

Sponsored by Si Recruitment

- 9xb Ecommerce

- The Compliance Company

- Homes4Harrogate

- Logic Fire & Security

- Mama Doreen’s

- The Soundproofing Store

BEST NEWCOMER

Sponsored by Impression Recruitment

- Big Bamboo Agency

- Clue HQ

- JarFull

- Saffron Tree

- West Park Care

BEST LARGE COMPANY (over 50 employees)

- Chameleon Technology

- Clearpoint Recycling Ltd

- HRH Group

- Naughtone

- Techbuyer

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

- Dales Water

- Lightwater Quarries

- Rudding Park

- Vertu Volkswagon

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

- Luke Messenger - Disability Action

- Mathew Wallis - The Harrogate Bus Company

- Dan Jackson - Howard Conrad

DIGITAL/TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT

- Be More Social

- Chameleon Technologies

- eDub Services

- Extreme

- Signa Technologies Ltd

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Sponsored by Harrogate Borough Council

- eDub Services

- Energy Oasis

- JarFull

- Harrogate Bus Company

- Number Thirteen

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Cicada Communications

To be announced on the night