A food business with a £45 million turnover, a charity that supports disadvantaged and vulnerable families and an eco packaging company were among the winners at the University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2025.
More than 360 guests attended a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony in the Catalyst at University of Staffordshire, where accolades were presented in 14 categories including Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Alumni Business Person of the Year.
Lifetime achievement awards were also presented to Alan Ault of Valentine Clays and Angela Morris of Woolcool.
Woolcool were one of the evening’s big winners, winning both Business of the Year and Team of the Year, whilst Trentham Foods were also celebrating two awards – The Growth Award plus Company Director Jacob Durkin winning Young Business Person of the Year.
The High Street Impact Award was presented to Longton Exchange whilst Kiln at Number 12 based within the shopping centre won Start-up Business of the Year.
Reliance Medical were the victors in the Innovation category, whilst process automation technology and instrumentation company Promtek won the Small Business of the Year award.
Business in the Community winners were Alice Charity and Brown Recycling, whilst other winners included Squadron Sergeant Major Santanu Pradhan from the Brigade of Gurkhas receiving Apprentice of the Year, The Drayton Beaumont Group receiving the Skills For The Future Award, Martin Barker of Qualsurv Marine Consulting being named Alumni Business Person of the Year and Alistair Trippett from Heywoods Estate Agents being named Entrepreneur of the Year.
Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of University of Staffordshire, said: “Organising a business awards campaign reinforces our commitment to being a civic university and a catalyst for change not only for our own students but for the communities within which we are based.
“The awards are not a one-evening event, but a year-long celebration of business successes within our region. On the evening, we recognise and reward the skill, creativity and endeavour of the business community in Staffordshire and of alumni based around the world.
“This year, we have attracted an incredible 224 entries, with more than 90 outstanding Staffordshire companies within the Catalyst Building.
“I’d like to thank our generous sponsors, our extremely diligent and hard-working judges, and of course congratulate all of the winners.”
The University of Staffordshire Business Awards are sponsored by: Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, KMF Group, Beswicks Legal, SG Fleet UK, Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke City Football Club, PlinkFizz, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Rydale Roofing, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Staffordshire County Council, Capula, Plenary, Sabit, The Supply Register, Hochtief PPP Solutions, Port Vale Football Club, World of Wedgwood, FoodHub, and GivEnergy.
WINNERS 2025
Business of the Year 2025: Woolcool
Small Business of the Year 2025: Promtek
Entrepreneur of the Year 2025: Alistair Trippett (Heywoods Estate Agents)
Apprentice of the Year 2025: Santanu Pradhan (Brigade of Gurkhas)
Innovation Award 2025: Reliance Medical
Growth Award 2025: Trentham Foods
Young Business Person of the Year 2025: Jacob Durkin (Trentham Foods)
Team of the Year 2025: Woolcool
Skills for the Future Award 2025: The Drayton Beaumont Group
Alumni Business Person of the Year 2025: Martin Barker (Qualsurve Marine Consulting)
High Street Impact Award 2025: Longton Exchange
Start-up Business of the Year 2025: Kiln at Number 12
Business in the Community Award (Charity) 2025: Alice Charity
Business in the Community Award (Business) 2025: Brown Recycling
Lifetime Achievement Awards 2025: Alan Ault (Valentine Clays) and Angela Morris (Woolcool)