The One Oldham Business Awards

All the Winners

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Secure Options Group

The judges felt that Secure Options deserved this award - starting from a kitchen table, and growing to its current position with sales well in excess of seven figures.

The company has grown by providing excellent customer service and developing new products to meet their customer needs while also exploiting new markets.

They are committed to staff training and now employ more than 150 people in their head office in Royton.

The company is a worthy winner of Business of the Year.

FINALISTS

Widdop Bingham — giftware importers

JD WIlliams — warehousing and distribution


BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Martin Littler - Inclusive Technology

The judging panel felt that having used his background in education, Martin has grown the company, taking out competitors within a niche market, invested in innovation and raised the profile of both Oldham and the special needs debate through his work with the House of Lords.

FINALISTS

Michael Bennett — Pelican PR

Martin Kay — Dtec


BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Barbara Jackson — Millers Florist

Barbara has shown the right attitude in difficult circumstances – with recession, the disruption caused by the Tesco building work and the potential competition it will bring – she still is upbeat.

She is also very innovative and embraces new ideas.

Barbara shows great leadership with her staff and has a commitment to staff training and evelopment.

An inspiration businesswoman who is looking for all women to succeed in Business via the OldhamWomen Business Club.

FINALISTS

Sue Fink — The Academy

Michelle Walker — CCE


RETAIL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Mountainfeet

It would have been easy for this outlet to 'give up', bearing in mind their location and current climate.

The judges panel was impressed with the way Mountainfeet has differentiated itself from other outlets i.e. specialist footwear and qualified podiatrist.

Service and advice was exemplary.

FINALISTS

Albion Farm Shop

Demolition


START-UP OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Mirzali Architecture LLP

The judges in this category thought that Mirzali Architecture LLP had realised their original vision.

The pairing of Anjub Ali and Sulaiman Mirza identified an opportunity from a perceived gap in the market and demonstrated the journey of travel from idea to commercial product.

FINALISTS

Mandy’s Cafe

Mortgage Quest


INNOVATION and DESIGN

WINNER

Another Level Car Parks

There is no doubt that Oldham is blessed with some extremely inventive people — but the standout for the judges in this section was the proven commercial sales of this product, according to the judging panel.

Concepted, designed and manufactured in Oldham, Another Level Car Parks is a gem of an idea using traditional manufacturing skills so solve an age-old problem of temporary space requirements in this ever-demanding age of the car.

FINALISTS

Marshall Pumps

Synergy


SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

WINNER

Frillys

FRILLYS was founded in 1987 to provide a specialist lingerie and corsetry shop in Oldham town centre.

The business was bought by the current owners in 2001. A small local company that is able to compete with large national chains by offering high levels of customer service, support and specialised services.

Customer services levels are maintained by training and personal development.

The growth of the business has been facilitated by e-tailing, developing a website which enables them to sell products across the world.

FINALISTS

Pelican PR

Positive IT Solutions


ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

WINNER

David Beharall — Candid Sky

THE judges determined that in this digital age Candid Sky was a outstanding example of a business that was harnessing the opportunities presented by the internet, social networking and digital marketing.

David Beharall has shown true entrepreneural spirit in starting the business from his city centre home - buying and selling on Ebay! - and now having his business headquarters in Oldham and a new office in London.

With clients from Dulux to the Mad Ferret Festival his business looks set to grow — the sky's got no limits you might say!

FINALISTS

Anjun Ali — Mirzali Architecture LLP

Wasim Aslam — Cafe Lahore


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WINNER

David Bellis

A modest, self-effacing man, the first winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is an Oldham man through and through, educated in the borough, who has worked in Oldham all his life and lives in his home town.

He has started two major businesses, which have become world-renowned in terms of their expertise and prowess, yet it is his anonymous, behind-the-scenes support for a host of small start-up businesses — support known to only a few — that sets him apart as a worthy winner of this accolade.

He is a man who describes himself as a simple engineer, yet there is nothing remotely simple about his world-class inventions.

David Bellis is the founder of Money Controls plc and currently chairman of another business he has started from scratch, Innovative Technology Ltd.

He was chosen from a shortlist of four nominations and is truly deserving of this recognition.