On Friday 27th September, Leicester was proud to host the third annual Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards at the city’s Maher Centre.
The vibrant event, which brings together and celebrates both large and small businesses from across the East and West Midlands, attracted over 450 guests.
Keeping the crowd entertained, the evening’s host was BBC Asian Network presenter Tommy Sandhu. As well as the highly anticipated awards, the dazzling black tie evening provided entertainment, a three-course Indian meal, charity raffle and a special talk from entrepreneur, Paul Bassi CBE, this year’s keynote speaker.
The highly regarded entrepreneur spoke about operating a business through various stages of the business cycle including recession, as well as the importance of the regions to the UK and how better infrastructure could raise productivity.
Celebrating the best in business from the Midlands region, there was a diverse range of winners across the 12 categories which included Small Business of the Year, Promoting Apprenticeships in the Workplace and Business Woman of the Year.
Bagging Business of the Year, the main award of the evening, was Clifton Packaging, a company based in Leicester who were recognised for their commitment to innovation and international trade.
Ninder Johal, CEO of the event shared his thoughts on this year’s Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards. He said: “I think it’s getting bigger and better every year. What was clear today was the diversity of the audience and the diverse range of winners from people who are disabled to people from all communities.
“It’s fantastic, for me it’s bridging the East and the West together both colour wise and geographic, and I think today was a testament that when communities come together, we can all rejoice together.”
Winners of the Community Excellence award, The Way of the Horse, said: “It’s been fantastic. We didn’t come with any expectations, we’re really surprised and we’re just so proud of all the work that we’ve done over the last four and a half years.”
Headline sponsors for the event was Investec Wealth and Investment and other sponsors included Pukaar News, East Midlands Chamber, Rational FX, Diamond, Guest, Vision, Gloss, Cobra Beer, Love Business, Leicester Castle Business School and Leicester Business Festival.
This year’s charity partner was Rainbows, an East Midlands-based charity who provide vital care and support to children and young people suffering from life-limiting conditions.
Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards 2019 – Winners:
Business Start-up – Incite Consultancy
Community Excellence – The Way of the Horse
Business Person of the Year – Barrie Stephen
Entrepreneur of the Year – Pankaj Pancholli
Businesswoman of the Year – Gemma Orton
International Enterprise and Innovation – Penny Price Aromatherapy
Diversity and Inclusion – Workplace Diversity
Promoting Apprenticeships in the Workplace – Derby College
SME of the year – Risk and Safety Management
Customer Service of the Year – Sheer Edge Hospitality and Events
Business of the Year – Clifton Packaging
Lifetime Achievement Award – Veejay Patel
Watch highlights from the awards, here
The Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards is produced by production company Nachural, who seeks to recognise wealth creating businesses in the wider region. CEO Ninder Johal is past president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and current Board member of the Black Country LEP and the New Growth Company. The company operates events in London, Manchester, Leicester, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
