News

Derbyshire-based metal recycling and waste management specialist Ward is celebrating a duo of award wins at the Derbyshire Live Business Awards 2020/21. The business was crowned the winner of both the Family Business of the Year and Excellence in Business Growth categories at a special awards ceremony held live on Thursday, October 21, at Derby Arena.

Annually, the Derbyshire Live Business Awards recognise the very best businesses within Derby city and the wider county, with categories covering start-ups, SMEs, engagement with the education sector, innovation and customer service. Postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, entrants of the awards were encouraged to update their entries in early 2021 to demonstrate how they had adapted to the challenges of COVID-19. 

Sponsored by Dains Accountants, the Excellence in Business Growth category recognises established businesses that are constantly growing. Through innovation, product development, market development or through clear sales and marketing strategies and initiatives, the finalists have shown continuous support the local community and economy. 

The Family Business of the Year category, sponsored by Invictus Communications, celebrates established family businesses across all industry sectors in Derbyshire. It recognises sustained success, ambition passed through generations and future aspirations to continuously develop and grow the family business. 

This year’s headline sponsors were Invictus Communications, Futures, Diginius, Derby Arena and Derby College.

Thomas Ward, Commercial Director at Ward, said:

“As a local Derbyshire business, I am so proud of the team and honoured to be celebrating a double award win at this year’s Derbyshire Live Business Awards. This is the second consecutive year that Ward has been recognised, following our previous success in the Company of the Year and Employer of the Year categories. It’s an incredible acknowledgement of our standing within the local business community and something of which we are incredibly proud.

We have undergone a significant period of growth over the last couple of years, despite the challenges posed to the global market, so to have this acknowledged with a win in the Excellence in Business Growth category is a real testament to hard work of the whole team. As an independent, fourth-generation family business, being crowned Family Business of the Year is equally humbling.”

Jonny McPhee of headline sponsor Invictus Communications, said:

“Ward is an excellent example of a family business driving forward ambitious plans for growth and a sustainable business strategy that delivers employment and prosperity within our region. 

These awards highlight the best of the best in local business and Ward’s reputation as a successful organisation, both at home and further afield, underpinned by a solid multi-generational family identity, makes them highly worthy winners.”

A full list of categories, sponsors and winners of the Derbyshire Live Business Awards 2020/21 can be found here: https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/gallery/derbyshirelive-business-awards-2021-winners-21941436 .