Last night a record six Cumbrian family businesses picked up prestigious national awards in London at the glittering ceremony for the national Family Business of the Year Awards. The coveted gongs were awarded to:

People’s Choice Family Business of the Year – Herdy

Property & Construction Family Business of the Year – Roland Hill

Transport & Logistics Family Business of the Year – Stalkers Transport

The North & Northern Ireland Family Business of the Year – Pioneer Foods

One To Watch Family Business of the Year – Bath House

Special Award for Entrepreneurship – Grasmere Gingerbread

Cumbria was the highest represented county with sixteen family business finalists, thanks in part to the Cumbria Family Business Awards which fed into these national finals. Co-founders of the Cumbria Family Business Awards, Sue Howorth of The Family Business Network Ltd and Sophia Newton one half of PR and Events company Flock attended to support the Cumbrian contingency. Sue Howorth who also judges the national awards said “We were over the moon to see so many Cumbrian winners last night. To compete at this national level is already an amazing achievement and to win against the best family businesses in the country is truly astonishing. Our Cumbrian awards achieved their goal of putting Cumbrian family businesses on a national stage, the businesses went one step better by winning! The quality of our family businesses really shone last night and all the finalists should be extremely proud.

Sophia Newton added “Cumbria certainly made its mark last night and was applauded as a region that celebrates its family businesses and recognises the contribution they make. I was totally bowled over and Janett was loving keeping up with it all on social media whilst on her holidays, it was an exciting night. Ultimately, Cumbria is bringing home six pieces of silverware from London and that is an amazing accolade not just for the individual businesses but for the region too. Nice one Cumbria!”

Karen Stalker of Stalker’s Transport who are celebrating fifty years in business described it as “the perfect candle for the birthday cake.” Spencer and Diane Hannah of herdy who were also shortlisted for a lifetime achievement award spoke about how winning the North & Northern Ireland People’s Choice award made them feel “We were delighted and very surprised, this award is chosen by the public so it means a lot that our customers got behind us in this way. We’d like to thank everyone who supported and voted for us and of course all our brilliant herdy team who help us keep spreading smiles and happiness.”

The next Cumbria Family Business Awards take place on Friday 8^th March 2019 and will be open for applications from Thursday 11^th October when they are officially launched at The Family Business Conference 2018. The organisers have confirmed the relationship with the national Family Business of the Year awards will continue.