Family businesses from all corners of Yorkshire and Humberside celebrated in style on Friday night at the inaugural Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards, held at Headingley Stadium. 

The venue which has famously hosted many great sporting competitions over the years was an iconic setting for the evening, where an eager crowd assembled to hear the winners revealed. Representatives from the 29 family business finalists, judges and sponsors were in attendance alongside event hosts Sue Howorth, Dave Clarkson and food writer and presenter, Nigel Barden.

Organised by The Family Business Community, the Awards champion family firms from across North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside, recognising their significance within their local and regional communities and celebrating their successes in style.

Dancers from The Dance Studio Leeds opened the evening with a captivating performance, which was followed by a three-course meal and lively entertainment from Lord of the Dance fiddler player, Richard Sanderson.

Organisers of the awards, Sue Howorth and Dave Clarkson said, “Establishing a new Family Business Awards in this fantastic area of the UK has been a rewarding journey, not least because of the variety of thriving family businesses that exist here. We wanted the night to be a special occasion for all those involved, and we’re delighted with how it came together – it was a true celebration of all that’s great about family businesses!”

Among the winners were John Good Group who won the ‘Best Social Impact’ category before taking the crown of overall Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year.

Adam Walsh, Group CEO of John Good Group said, “It was a fantastic evening hosted by The Family Business Community and we were delighted to come away with two accolades this year. The John Good Group is a special business, being a 6th generation family firm and it’s great to think we will go into our 190^th year of trading as the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year.”

He added, “We believe that family businesses can be a huge driver of change, and with so many major challenges facing communities across the country, now is a critical time for us to step up to the plate.

“Our business aims to put the environment and the communities we operate in at the heart of our choices, even to the detriment of profit. It was great to hear the stories of many other family businesses doing the same thing at the awards night and as a cohort, I’m sure that we will be a force for good well into the future for people across Yorkshire, Humberside and beyond.”

Each of the shortlisted finalists received an in-person judging visit before the judging panel began the difficult task of deciding on the final winners.

In addition to the main sector-specific categories, the People’s Choice and Employee of the Year awards invited nominations for finalists from the public. Over 1,200 votes were placed for People’s Choice finalists across the four counties, as well as a further 550 votes for the Employee of the Year category, won by Carl Foster of JSW 4 Jumps Ltd.

The full list of winners for the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards 2022 are:

Agribusiness

Little Wold Vineyard

Best Social Impact

John Good Group

Business Services

Howarths

Construction, Property & Engineering

Alfred Bagnall and Sons Limited

Emerging Family Business

The Yorkshire Pasta Company

Food & Drink Establishments

The Whole Hogg Farm Shop & Team Rooms

Food and Drink Producers

Wold Top Brewery

Haulage and Logistics

Campeys of Selby Ltd

Leisure and Tourism

Grassington House

Manufacturing

Tiger Sheds

Retailers and Etailers

Vintage Sofa Co.

Wholesalers

Anglo Stainless Ltd

Employee of the Year

JSW 4 Jumps Ltd – Carl Foster

People’s Choice Award

Harrison-Lock Family Butchers Ltd Business

Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business of the Year

John Good Group

Dave Clarkson, Co-Founder of the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards added, “We’d like to thank all our judges and events team for their hard work, our sponsors for their support and to everyone who entered the awards this year!”

The Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards 2023 will take place next November.  Expressions of interest for YHFBA 2023 will open later this week, with entries opening in May 2023.

For more information about the Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards, visit https://yorkshireandhumbersidefamilybusinessawards.co.uk/