Chamber Awards Celebrate Business Excellence

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce highlighted the achievements of local businesses at the GMCC Excellence Awards last week.

The Chamber launched the awards to recognise the contribution and success of member organisations across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. 

The awards showcase and celebrate business achievements and resilience, highlighting businesses, leaders and teams who have demonstrated success within their industries and communities.

The winners were crowned at an awards ceremony, sponsored by BioPharma Dynamics, at Manchester Hall on October 10^th. Commenting on the awards, Joe Brennan, Managing Director at BioPharma Dynamics, said: “In Greater Manchester excellence isn't just a goal, it's a habit.”

Lea-Anne Gardner, Senior Events & Commercial Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber, said: “We are happy to announce the GMCC Excellence Awards 2025 winners! Huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners. We had double the entries this year which makes it even tougher, but whether you have won or not you should be incredibly proud. Thank you to our sponsors, judges and the community for providing a platform for Greater Manchester businesses and beyond to be recognised. We look forward to 2026!”

The awards were hosted by Chris Fletcher, the Chamber’s Policy Director, and Wayne Jones OBE, former Chamber President.

Chris added: “Once again it’s been a real privilege to acknowledge and reward the best in business from across Greater Manchester - both companies and individuals. We’ve had a record number of entrants and, despite the many challenges that businesses face, to be able to recognise those that are doing well, sticking to what they excel at and making a success of it offers a lot of hope and promise for the continued success of the local economy.”

The award winners were:

• Charity Business of the Year, Sponsored by Sustainable Energy First – Manchester Mind  
• Community Contributor – Sharon Seville (F1rst Commercial Recruitment) 
• Employer of the Year, Sponsored by Lomarton – TransPennine Express 
• Global Star, Sponsored by KLN Freight – Mawdsley Brooks & Company Ltd 
• Growth Award, Sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University – Bridgewater Home Care Bolton 
• Innovator of the Year, Sponsored by Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, University of Manchester – Shield Safety Group Ltd 
• Large Business of the Year, Sponsored by M6Toll – Cormar Carpet Company 
• Marketing Impact Award – Launch NW 
• Medium Business of the Year – Cornerstone Design & Marketing
• Micro Business of the Year – Duo Consulting 
• Networker of the Year – Emma Nash (Tuscor Lloyds Global Logistics) 
• People and Community Award, Sponsored by Dasco Construction  – IN4 Group 
• Skills & Talent Champion, Sponsored by Scholars School System – Wiseup Networks 
• Small Business of the Year, Sponsored by YRH Finance Team – Smith Goodfellow Ltd 
• Start-up of the Year – Altocrest Advisory Ltd 
• Super Connector of the Year – Annie Platts (GM Business Growth Hub)
• Sustainable Solution of the Year, Sponsored by Wild Thang – TSK Group 

During her speech at the event, current Chamber President Emma Holt said: “This is the fifth Excellence Awards of the Chamber. The awards began in 2021, when under the pressures of the pandemic, we felt the need to shout about and celebrate all the excellence and resilience in the region. There were lots of companies innovating, changing the way they work, digital transformation, various new services and support, along with supporting the community. And this event has grown each year, resulting this year in 17 awards, covering an array of categories, showcasing excellence across the region.”

Thank you to our judges many of whom are sponsors, Partners, Presidents and stakeholders of the Chamber. We thank them for volunteering their time to review our 200+ entries.