Best Black Country businesses recognised in chamber awards
The brightest and best business talent from across the region were honoured in style last night at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024.
Over four hundred attendees including the region's brightest entrepreneurs and representatives from the Black Country's best businesses gathered at a glittering awards ceremony held at The Halls in Wolverhampton on Thursday, November 21.
Civil and ground engineering contractor Forkers, based in West Bromwich, was crowned business of the year with judges citing Forkers’ exceptional revenue growth and profitability, commitment to continuous improvement, high rates of staff retention and forward-looking sustainability strategies.
With 14 trophies presented in total, other winners included Wombourne-based creative marketing agency TP Squared, who won the consultancy and professional services award along with small business of the year.
Wolves Foundation won business in the community for the second year running, EXOL Lubricants from Wednesbury won the international trade award, fastener supplier Fabory took home the science, tech, and innovation trophy and Bilston-based manufacturer of equipment for the metal forming and tubes industry Bowers & Jones landed the manufacturing and engineering award.
Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse said: “A huge congratulations to all of our winners following a fantastic evening celebrating the incredible, ground-breaking businesses of our region. The awards were a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the region as a great place to do business. Thank you to our partners and the Chamber team for making this year’s awards a resounding success.”
Events & projects officer Marie Shuker added: “We received a huge number of entries from across a wide range of sectors. Our category partners had a tough job selecting the winners which demonstrates the level of business excellence across the Black Country.”
The awards, the biggest and best celebration in the region’s business calendar, have been staged by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce since 2001 to celebrate the accomplishments of regional firms and business stars. The 2024 winners were:
Business in the community, in partnership with Halesowen College Winner: Wolves Foundation Finalists: Arrive Alive and Cadent Gas
Employer of the year, in partnership with Wolves Foundation Winner: Maped Helix Highly commended: Jerroms Finalist: Black Country Living Museum
International trade, in partnership with KMB Shipping Group Winner: EXOL Lubricants Highly commended: Bowers & Jones Finalist: Fortress
Manufacturing and engineering, in partnership with CK Winner: Bowers & Jones Finalist: Jordhan Industries
Science, technology and innovation, in partnership with Forresters Winner: Fabory Highly commended: Cadent Gas Finalist: Tomato Energy
Young employee or apprentice of the year, in partnership with Sandwell College Winner: Haris Hussain, Weatherite Finalists: Matthew Randle, Dreamland, and Georgia Hill, Early Years Company.
Small business of the year, in partnership with 6 Wands Winner: TP Squared Highly commended: VOID Applications Finalist: MoRServ
Start up of the year, in partnership with Daniel Scott Recruitment Winner: Maverick Mutts Highly commended: iBiotech Finalist: Virtus
Family business of the year, in partnership with Azets Winner: Maverick Sports Highly commended: Walsh Funerals & Memorials Finalist: Nickolls & Perks
Business in schools award, in partnership with University of Wolverhampton Winner: Tecman Highly commended: HMB Training Services Finalist: BlackRook Academy
Not for profit organisation Winner: Black Country Women’s Aid Highly commended: The Way Youth Zone Finalist: The Penny Post Group
Apprentice employer of the year in partnership with Lloyds BankWinner: Interclass Finalist: The Penny Post Group
Business of the year Winner: Forkers Highly commended: Bowers & JonesFinalist: Azets
Sandwell Council and Walsall Council were this year’s overall award partners. Wolverhampton TV and radio sports broadcaster Amber Sandhu from Wolverhampton hosted the event and a raffle was held to raise funds for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s charity of the year, YMCA Black Country.
