A BUSINESS founded by a man who led a team of counsellors which supported survivors and those left bereaved by the Bradford City fire has won a national award.

Centre for Crisis Psychology (CCP) saw off competition from hundreds of small businesses across the country at the Nectar Business Small Business Awards.

CCP was founded in 1989 and provides psychological first aid to people who have been involved in traumatic incidents, as well as consultancy, specialist training and employee assistance programmes.

It was founded by former social worker Michael Stewart, who led the award-winning Bradford Council emergency response team which spent about two years offering counselling after the Valley Parade disaster on May 11, 1985.

Over the years, other clients of the business have also included victims of Lockerbie and Hillsborough, the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, and the Piper Alpha oil rig tragedy which left 167 people dead in a series of explosions 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

It also provided support to Gerry and Kate McCann, parents of toddler Madeleine McCann who disappeared while on holiday in Portugal nine years ago.

The business is now being led by one of Mr Stewart’s twin daughters, managing director Anna Chapman, and is based at Storiths, near Skipton.

Mrs Chapman said: “We’re delighted to be recognised with this award.

“As a close-knit team we have helped thousands of people through some of their darkest moments.

“Due to the sensitivity and private nature of our work it is very difficult to share our experiences and successes with others.

“To have the recognition that this award brings is an amazing achievement and accolade for our hard working team and our valued clients.

“We will invest the prize fund in to our current e-learning project, which provides remote training to enable UK businesses to deal with the immediate aftermath of a critical incident.

“We would also like to donate the Nectar points to a charity Streetwise - Love Leeds which provides ongoing support for vulnerable adults.”

CCP received a £2,000 cash prize and 50,000 Nectar points at the awards ceremony, along with a trophy and certificate.

The firm was presented by expert judge and Dragon’s Den panellist Sarah Willingham.

Ms Willingham said: “The Contribution to the Community Award celebrates what a business stands for and what it means to the community it serves.

“Centre for Crisis Psychology is a thoroughly deserving winner of the Nectar Business Small Business Awards; its reach is so impressive. It is clearly a market leader within its field.

“SMEs are the future of our country and CCP proves that with hard work and a clear vision it is possible to achieve anything.”

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