One Oldham Business Awards:

NOMINEES:

Innovation and Design, BusinessWoman of the Year


Innovation and Design

sponsored by BAE Systems


Marshall Pump Systems Ltd.

Rhodes Bank, Oldham. A pumping specialist in Oldham is an unlikely candidate to be in the forefront of the worldwide fight against the mosquito but this is case at Marshall’s which produces nets with biocide incorporated into the fabric of the netting. Applied not just as a coating, but which could be damaged or lost in washing, thanks to technology developed in Rhodes Bank the biocide becomes part of the filament yarn at point of manufacture, Taiwan.


Synergy Building Services

The Rose and Crown Business Centre, 27 King Street, Delph. Formed in 2000, the company was initially set up Matthew Pomfrey to utilise technology to connect all the plant in a building to a central device and making them work more effectively.

Synergy’s building management tool brings under one control the customer’s heating and lighting systems, producing vast energy and cost savings.


Candid Sky

Cobden Street, Chadderton, plus a studio office in London. Founded in 2006 by former Oldham Athletic footballer David Beharall, the company provides online products and services to businesses and consumers.

Candid Sky has created the concept of ‘virtual competition’ and developed a virtual competition web application which has been a huge success and is currently used by more than 500 primary and secondary schools in the UK, 45 of these schools are based in Oldham to engage young people in sport.

Celebration Discos

52 Queen Street, Shaw. Peter Lockwood started his disco business in October, 1996, and his longevity in a traditionally ultra-competitive is testament to his ingenuity. He believes mood lighting is the perfect add-on to a disco experience, pointing out this innovation works very well at weddings allowing the bride’s colour scheme to match her venue walls.


Dalby Developments Ltd.

17 Gravel Walks, Mumps. Dalby Developments was responsible for the regeneration of the Windsor Works, a Victorian mill just outside the town centre.

Established in August, 2000, the company’s design philosophy for the building was to re-use as much of the original features of the empty warehouse as possible, creating a building to incorporate residential apartments and commercial office space.


F.T Gordon Building Services Ltd./AlternEnergy
Unit 10, Salmon Fields Business Village, Royton. The company commenced trading in 1992 as an electrical contracting company, focusing on commercial and industrial design and installation work. In 2000, the company strategy changed to incorporate domestic work, the growth sector of the electrical contracting business. In the last 18 months it has entered into the renewable energy market under the Alternenerg brand.


BusinessWoman of the Year

sponsored by Women in Business / NatWest


Angela Wellon
managing director, First 4 Disabilities, Chadderton Cottages, Middleton Road, Chadderton. A non-profit organisation providing support services to families and individuals with additional needs and disabilities, the business was founded by Angela in July, 2007, after years of working within mental health services.

Her main drive though is her son, who has a diagnosis of autism, and Angela believes her professional and personal experience provides her with a unique perspective to offer a personalised service.

Andrea Wilson-Brown

managing director, T1 Telecoms, Portland Tower, Manchester. The telecommunications business traded for 12 months in Oldham and in May this year will return to Hollinwood for the foreseeable future. Andrea, who was born in Oldham, set up the company up from her home in Oldham in October, 2002, and within 12 months had secured major network suppliers and attracted more than 100 customers.

Products include calls and lines, line installations, broadband, leased lines, mobile contracts, systems, marketing tools, SMS broadcasting and non-geo numbers.


Bridget Batty

owner-manager, Limetree Public Relations, Compton Fold, Shaw. Bridget began trading in October, 2006, as a sole trader offering PR and event management services across the North-West and into Yorkshire.

Having only ever worked for ‘blue chip’ organisations, Bridget felt her wealth of experience gathered over 18 years would benefit clients across a range of industries and sectors.


Chantelle Tupman

director, Clough Manor, Rochdale Road, Denshaw. Clough Manor was born when La Pergola was renovated starting in June, 2007, a huge undertaking as a complete renovation and rebuild in certain areas was required.

All of this was overseen by Chantelle who has gone on to establish a warm, friendly hotel, offering first-class food at reasonable prices.


Kelly Harewood

manageress, Fusion Hair Design, 167 Huddersfield Road, Oldham. This local, unisex hair salon was opened in the middle of the credit crunch, November, 2008, by local girl Kelly who went back to Oldham College to study and decided to open her own salon. She now employs three stylists full time.

Kelly also completed her Level Three qualifications, in June, 2009, and also won the Level Three photo shoot at college.


Nichola Whitehead

owner-manager, Demolition, Yorkshire Street, Oldham. Faced with several challenges to the boutique established in November, 1995, with her sister Nichola Whitehead, Victoria stripped back the number of suppliers to Demolition, demanding better terms and exclusivity within the Oldham area.

She put into place a bold strategy to combat negative forces such as the recession, increased local competition, increased popularity of internet shopping and the increase in clothing sales from supermarkets.


Pam Pelham

managing director, AMP Wire Ltd., Sun Iron Works, Ward Street, Chadderton. Pam established her manufacturing business, producing bespoke products for air handling companies, in April, 1992.

Pam spotted a gap in the market for CNC punched sheet metal machines requiring traditional guards and founded AMP Wire.

Three years ago AMP Wire moved to larger premises in Chadderton and set a five-year growth plan, winning a prestigious MoD contract.


Shelagh Taylor

partner, Landmark Financial Planning, Sam Road, Diggle. A Chartered Financial Planner, Shelagh set up the firm in 2001 with business partner Eric Mowinski, originally operating from Uppermill before relocating to larger premises.

Landmark offers investment portfolio and retirement planning advice and will expand into frozen pension funds market and include an investment management service in its new portfolio.


Valerie Simpson

owner, The Face & Body Shop, 283 Oldham Road, Grotton. Valerie started The Face & Body Shop in Grotton in March, 1997, originally with five treatment rooms and three therapists. The business has grown to a salon boasting eight treatment rooms with 20 members of staff serving a client base in excess of 16,000 clients.

Over the last 13 years Valerie has enjoyed a string of accolades including, Professional Beauty Salon of the Year, Health and Beauty Retailer of the Year, Guinot Crown Salon status since 2000, Crown of Crowns twice and Crown Salon of the Decade and Clarins Gold Salon status since 2001.


Vicky Radcliffe

proprietor, Absolute Bliss Health and Beauty Spa, Rochdale Road, Royton. Set up 10 years ago this year by Vicky and with the backing of her parents, this family concern was a finalist in the British Beauty Awards in its first year of trading and has since been won several Matis Awards and a Habia Award.

The aim is to create a luxurious spa experience, including luxury hydro spa bath, where clients can feel relaxed and enjoy outstanding treatments and customer service.