All Things Business - 100th Edition


Awards Launching a business awards event had been an aim for Ben T omas for many years when, fi nally, he achieved his ambition. T e inaugural Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards took place in 2018, with comedian Jimmy Carr as the host. Over the years, hundreds of businesses have entered


the comprehensive list of categories, and over 4,000 people have enjoyed glittering ceremonies to celebrate together just how special this county is. Stephen K Amos joined in the fun in 2019, and although


every eff ort was made to get the awards organised ‘in- person’ in 2020, it was not to be, and they were held online. Delayed by one year, but fi nally making an appearance in 2021, was journalist and broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, followed by Paddy McGuinness in 2022, Rob Beckett in 2023 and Alex Horne and T e Horne Section last year.


Ben said: “Seeing so many people come together each


year, not just to fi nd out if they’ve won, but to recognise the work that goes on in Northamptonshire and help all the fi nalists and winners celebrate what this county has to off er, is just brilliant. “We’ve presented something like 60 trophies over the


years, including the ICON Award to Courtney Lawes, and the Contribution to Northamptonshire Award to Amarjit Singh, John Harley, Gavin Warren and Rachel Mallows. The first such award went to the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire David Laing, who wasn’t too impressed with Jimmy Carr’s language, but despite that, he forgave me and became a good friend – so much so that last year we renamed the award T e David Laing Award in his memory.” T e Northamptonshire Education Awards began in


2019, presented by Matthew Burton from Educating Yorkshire, and they have gone from strength to strength ever since. Hosts in subsequent years have included choreographer Louie Spence and TV presenters Eammon Holmes and Iain Stirling.


ALL THINGS BUSINESS | 40


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