The man who has been trusted with choosing the winners of the Oldham Business Awards since it began has been recognised with his own award.
Since 2009, Steve Kilroy has been the spearhead of the Oldham Business Awards (OBA) group, whittling down finalists and crowning 11 annual winners at a gala evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Now retired as the steering group chair, Steve found himself in the limelight when the ceremony culminated in gifting him a prestigious Special Recognition Award on Friday, September 13.
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The award is given to those considered to have gone above and beyond for the borough.
The keen golfer was the former head of business integration at BAE Systems until the Chadderton site closed, and was awarded life membership of the Avro 504 Club.
Steve, from Chadderton, said: "This isn’t about me, it’s about Oldham and 15 years ago it was about let’s have a party and celebrate everything that’s good about Oldham.
“We’ve done that for 15 years and I’ve been the chairman, so I’ll take a little bit of credit, but I couldn’t do it without the steering group members and the 30 to 50 businesses that turn up each year to celebrate their businesses, and the 150 that put themselves forward.”
Managing director of Cornerstone Design and Marketing in Lees, David Wadsworth, who took over the steering group from Steve this year, added: “Congratulations to Steve – he left some big shoes to fill given his huge contribution to Oldham’s vibrant business community, which makes him a very worthy winner of our Special Recognition Award.
“Well done to all the winners too, but really every finalist is a winner on our eyes, having worked so hard to put Oldham on the business map.
“The evening showcased the brilliant display of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit that we have in the town.
"It’s incredibly difficult to select finalists and winners with such a grand array of talent to choose from.
“Our thanks go to everyone who has nominated an individual or a business this year and of course, to all the sponsors who make the night possible and so special.”
The night was hosted by OBA stalwart, Caroline Whitmore of ITV Granada Reports, and featured a hilarious stand-up set from comedian, actor, director and writer Johnny Vegas.
It was the 16th annual event which recognises business excellence, acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit among Oldham’s business community.
Live music was provided by The Not Quite Big Band during the gala dinner which continued into the night for the post-awards party.
There were also plenty of chances to win raffle prizes with all proceeds going to Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.
Other award winners include Lees Village Service Station, which won the 'Community Engagement' award, and Grains Bar Hotel which won the ' Business of the Year up to £1m' award.
It was also a good night for Diodes Incorporated, which won two awards - supporting young people and the workforce health and wellbeing categories.
Katie Wainwright, Diodes Incorporated HR and Business Partner, said: “Winning two awards is absolutely amazing, obviously who we were up against are all fantastic businesses and we’re all trying to achieve the same things for the Oldham community and our employees.
"We have a plan, and this shows it is working – it’s just fantastic."
A full list of the winners is as follows:
- Business of the Year £5m+ - Dronsfields Ltd
- Business of the Year £1m-£5m - Pegasus Warehousing & Fulfilment Ltd
- Business of the Year up to £1m - Grains Bar Hotel Ltd
- Businessperson of the Year - Shereen Howarth of Cornerstone Estates and Lettings Ltd
- Micro Business of the Year - CW Dentures
- Start-Up - Saddleworth Language School
- Young Entrepreneur - Callum Siddall of Chances Mentoring Limited
- Young business - Hale Training Club
- Community Engagement - Lees Village Service Station
- Supporting Young People - Diodes Incorporated
- Workforce Health and Wellbeing - Diodes Incorporated
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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