THESE are the shortlisted businesses who made it to the final stages of the Bradford Means Business Awards 2024.
The awards aim to recognise the very best businesses in Bradford district and give those on the shortlist an opportunity to celebrate their success with colleagues and clients.
It comes ahead of a glamourous awards night at Cedar Court Hotel, off Mayo Avenue and Rooley Lane on Friday, July 19.
The judging panel have been busy choosing the finalists for the prestigious annual awards ceremony.
Here's a look at this year's finalists in the Telegraph & Argus' Bradford Means Business Awards, broken down by category.
The winners will be announced in a special supplement in the Telegraph & Argus' July 25 newspaper edition.
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Joseph Parr
Sowing Seeds Tuition
It’s the second year in a row Sowing Seeds Tuition has been a finalist in this category of the Bradford Means Business Awards and the service was highly commended earlier in 2023 in the Community Involvement section of the T&A’s Education Awards.
This small business, set up by Rachel Girling in July 2022 after she left a 17-year career in education, provides a range of tuition and bespoke programmes and initiatives to support children’s mental health and confidence, as well as re-engage children, young people, and families back into education.
The service focuses on those aged between five and 25.
International Restaurant
A well-known name in Bradford, Indian-cuisine specialist International opened its new 300-seater flagship restaurant in Sticker Lane back in 2022.
International has been a staple in the community and business world for the past five decades and its original branch, in Morley Street continues to thrive.
But the company’s new restaurant is already on a similar path to success, winning a number of awards - including nationally - since its inception 18 months ago, reaffirming the notion that Bradford truly is the best when it comes to curries.
International said the new restaurant has “made a buzz” and brought people in from outside the city to sample its renowned dishes.
Marshall’s Bakehouse
The legacy of a long-standing Bradford bakery continued thanks to 21-year-old Holly Marshall when she opened a shop in Queensbury last July, in what was her first business venture.
Holly grew up surrounded by Marshall Bakers’ famous vanilla slices and sandwiches and transformed her parents’ former bakery - which was forced to close.
It was an ode to them but also the businesswoman wanted to “bring a new vibe to everything”, selling barista style coffee, hot and cold sandwiches, as well as recipes crafted by her grandparents years before.
The business has achieved phenomenal success since opening, selling out daily and reaching millions of people across the world on social media, with products sent out to Spain and even Dubai.
Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Solenis
Airedale Springs
The business has 79 years of history and is committed to being an industry leader in sustainable springs and 3D wire-form manufacturing.
Airedale Springs is not just talking the talk but promised it will walk the walk too.
The company’s 18,000 square-feet, purpose-built headquarters, The Spring Works in Keighley where it moved in 2012, was built to the highest level of energy performance at that time and now has a Net Zero EPC rating of A+ after significant investment in energy reduction programmes.
It has also virtually eliminated its GHG Co2 emissions under scopes 1 and 2, without any carbon offsetting, and has a goal of being a net energy exporter by 2026.
The Stitch Company
Charlotte Meek set up the company, which is based in Keighley, 11 years ago when she spotted a need for high quality, smart, practical workwear, made to last and made in Yorkshire.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of The Stitch Company and its next step is to develop its innovative ideas to ensure the future of the textile industry both in the UK and globally.
The business has partnered with UKFT.org, academics, and Innovate UK to share its expertise and provide sustainable circular business models for the textile and fashion industry.
Its new projects focus on developing new models and prolonging the life of textiles and clothing through reuse, repurposing, and changing perceptions of garment use and textile products as they age.
Cedar Court Hotel Bradford
One of Bradford’s best known hotels is aiming to invest in new technologies that will reduce its energy usage in high-volume areas, like the kitchens, and also decrease water usage in both guest bedrooms and public spaces.
The business, which is a member of Green Tourism, is looking to create meadows in its green spaces to attract insects and other wildlife around the site.
Cedar Court also donates beds, furniture, and soft furnishings to local charities, which prevents them from going to landfill.
Anything that is not suitable for UK charities is sent to Lithuania or Sierra.
Family Business of the Year
Sponsored by The Broadway
Regal Food Plc
Regal Food, based in Wallis Street, began life in 2001 by supplying a small selection of bakery products to grocery shops within the local area.
It soon created its own range of products, and by 2005 was embraced by its first major supermarket chain.
Now, the business manufactures and distributes more than 400 food and drinks products, not only throughout the UK to 3,000 plus retail outlets but around the world to more than 40 countries.
Regal has plans to develop a new fully-automated bakery line to help increase capacity and has already pumped in £5 million to upgrade its production capacity by 40 per cent.
Adams Food Services
From humble beginnings, Adams Food Services now prides itself as the UK’s Number 1 Specialist Cash and Carry Network.
It has nine outlets in Leeds, Birmingham, Hull, Liverpool, Preston, and Nottingham.
But it all started in Bradford, as a corner shop on Little Horton Lane in 1985.
It was funded by World War II veteran Mirza Khan and his vision was creating a business where the family worked together.
Adams took a leading role during the pandemic to collaborate with local authorities and politicians to ensure the continued supply of food was readily available to vulnerable individuals, as well supporting smaller local businesses and supply chain partners.
Sustainability is at the heart of the company too and is proud to be net-zero.
ICS
Stocking more than 4,000 catering and packaging products, multi-award winning ICS delivers a a complete catering solution to the food industry.
The business is based in the “geographical heart of the country”, off Neville Road, Bradford, but offers nationwide deliveries from its depots in its home city, Leeds, Bolton, Sheffield, and Birmingham.
ICS was incorporated in 1998 and is a multi-generational business that had a turnover of £122 million in the last financial year.
It also boasts its own portfolio of more than 600 tried and tested products, which includes brands like Prima, Eazi-Pal, and Texas Ranger.
Excellence in Education & Training Award
Sponsored by Bradford College
Anchor
Anchor is a leading not-for-profit business that provides care and housing for over 65s.
It runs more than 120 care homes across the country but the company’s head office is situated in Bradford and has over 15 homes in West Yorkshire.
The business has recently partnered with Bradford College to provide work placements and the opportunity for apprenticeships, as well as employment for students.
Anchor feels that better working conditions and recognition for colleagues reflects on its residents and their loved ones.
Don Whitley Scientific
This Bingley-based company has evolved since it began operating in 1976, from traditionally serving the microbiology sector, to now working in a range of other areas, including cancer research.
DWS has been dedicated to nurturing the next generation for more than a decade, with its longstanding apprenticeship scheme.
The scheme is described as being “more than just a vocational training program” and provides a pathway for young people aged 16 to 21 to gain the skills needed to become the best in their field.
This is achieved through on-the-job training, education, and career progression opportunities.
The company also works closely with local schools and has two new apprentices due to join later this year who first came to DWS as work placement candidates.
Bagnalls
One of the oldest businesses on the list, having been established in Shipley back in 1875, Bagnalls specialises in commercial and industrial painting and decorating within the construction industry and employs around 630 people.
The company is always thinking forward and has 82 apprentices, nine of which have been hired by its Bradford offices since 2022.
Two of the firm’s board of directors started their career as apprentice painters, including Lee Jeyes who managed the Shipley branch before being promoted to Director.
The business offers plenty of in-house training, including its three-year Management Trainee scheme, that was set up in 1991.
Manufacturer of the Year
Sponsored by Thorite
Seabrook Crisps
One of Bradford’s most famous names began life has a chippy sideline nearly 80 years ago.
Now it is the UK’s number two crisp brand and is on track to reach annual retail sales of £100 million by the end of 2024.
But did you know the iconic brand name only came about by accident? Founder, Charles Brook, made a photograph development order but it was mislabelled as Seabrook instead of C Brook.
Seabrook was acquired by global snack manufacturer Calbee Inc in 2018 and work is expected to be completed on the £12 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Duncombe Street later this year.
Tiffin Sandwiches
Tiffin Sandwiches was born and bred in Bradford and celebrates its 25th anniversary next year.
It manufactures and sends out sandwiches across the country and can now reach more than 90 per cent of the UK for next day delivery after opening distribution depots in Glasgow and Bristol.
The company employs more than 550 people and expects to achieve Net Zero for direct emissions by designing in solar, wind, heat pumps, and energy efficient machinery, creating the cornerstone for the next 25 years of operations.
Tiffin Sandwiches has set a target of 100 per cent growth in the next four years and aims to achieve that with initiatives such as a new 50,000 square foot premises adjacent to its current site.
Mansfield Pollard
Mansfield Pollard’s experts have transformed thousands of environments with industrial air handling units, data centre cooling, kitchen ventilation, and acoustic solutions.
Its move from two manufacturing sites into one expansive 321,000 square foot facility represented a significant milestone in the company’s evolution.
Making Mansfield Pollard a “great place to work” has become an obsession for the senior management team and the board decided recently to award each employee a £2,500 pay rise to assist with the cost-of-living crisis.
A spokesperson for Mansfield Pollard said: “In an era where the pace of change is not just rapid but exponential, businesses that dare to disrupt, lead.”
Innovation Award
Sponsored by Schofield Sweeney
The Stitch Company
It’s the second category The Stitch Company has been shortlisted in, in this year’s awards.
The company’s innovation is based primarily in sustainability and it has partnered with UKFT.org, academics, and Innovate UK to share its expertise and provide sustainable circular business models for the textile and fashion industry.
Its new projects focus on developing new models and prolonging the life of textiles and clothing through reuse, repurposing, and changing perceptions of garment use and textile products as they age.
Slipstream Engineering Design
Slipstream, based in Shipley, is an RF & Digital company that operates a high-performing engineering centre that realises complex design and development programmes for an international customer base in the communications, space, and security sectors.
The company makes novel product ideas from concept, through to hardware demonstration, and into small-scale manufacture, which includes radar, critical communications, and Quantum computing systems.
Sustainability is an important factor for the business and Slipstream engineers models that are adaptable and flexible.
During one project, Slipstream’s power amplifier design achieved an overall efficiency greater than 40 per cent in comparison to a conventional model.
Coral Windows
Coral Windows, based in Halifax Road, has focused on customer value and security for the past 33 years and its new innovation is called Smartframe.
The business identified a gap in the market for smart tech on windows and doors and built on a product they found from a supplier that had something similar to what Coral Windows had in mind to create something with more functionality.
The product updates homeowners on the status of their windows and doors - such as if they are open or closed - as well as using vibration technology to alert them if they are being tampered with.
A notification is also sent to a homeowner’s phone if their glass is smashed.
These smart sensors come inbuilt into every window and door customers purchase.
SME Business of the Year
Sponsored by BHP
Slipstream Engineering Design
Another company making its way onto the awards list twice, this leading RF & Digital company has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several years, evolving from a humble garage startup into a thriving multi-million pound enterprise.
One of the company’s proudest moments recently was securing more than £1 million in grant funding from The Department for Science Innovation and Technology for the Secure 5G and YO-RAN projects, and from the Defence and Security Accelerator.
Slipstream has been able to expand its team by 20 per cent and subsequently extend its facility area by 50 per cent.
Just under 29 per cent of the firm’s workforce are women, defying the trend of low female recruitment in engineering.
MRMS Solutions
MRMS has only been operating for two-and-a-half years but already is a leading drainage and utility service provider and employs 18 staff.
It shot up from £250,000 turnover in 2022 to £3.2 million in just six months of 2023, between January and July of that year.
This included a 35 per cent profit margin.
Following this growth, the business has been able to purchase kit and leased a large office space in Bradford to help sustain and push its development.
MRMS actively seeks ways to give back to the communities where it operates, including volunteering time, donating resources, and supporting local initiatives and charities.
Commerce Business Systems
This 22-year-old business provides premium services designed to help clients understand their technology - whether you require a printer or IT services, CBS offers high-quality solutions.
Managing Director John Green’s vision is that “by 2025, we estimate that our growth will increase and exceed £7 million.”
CBS now supplies and supports the majority of the area’s schools and a wide variety of businesses throughout Yorkshire and the North of England.
The company has also long supported Bradford City by supplying their multi-functional printer-copier-scanners, at no cost to the club, and sponsoring a first team player and two high-profile match day games a year.
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Christeyns
ACS
The mantra of this business is “creating a positive impact from the inside out”.
ACS, which won the Sustainability Award last year, provides office supplies, IT solutions, and Managed Print and Office Interiors services.
The company says: “From hiring local apprentices and providing ongoing training and support for our colleagues – we can confidently say that each member of staff feels engaged, valued and appreciated.”
Staff at ACS get one Friday afternoon off per month, invests in continuing learning for all staff, has a dedicated multifaith room, an on-site gym, and even an office dog, Cockapoo Frosty.
Bagnalls
Bagnalls, making its second appearance in this pullout, enjoys high staff retention due to its investment in training and development.
It believes strength lies in their people and the business is developing a culture where people have a voice and will be heard.
The firm’s new Head Office in Cleckheaton will have two buildings and provide ample space for the expansion of staff numbers and a better environment for its employees to work in.
It has worked in partnership with Andy’s Man Club (AMC) for the last three years to signpost male employees who are going through difficulties.
Schofield Sweeney
Schofield Sweeney, which is headquartered in Bradford and has become one of the leading legal firms over its 26 years of operation, is bidding to secure this award for the second year in a row.
It employs 160 staff and has clients across the UK.
The business has put in place a base level of continuous professional development for every colleague, regardless of their role, and employees are offered secondments in other teams to help them gain skills and experience in new departments and move across if they wish.
Its career development framework has enabled its first non-lawyers to be promoted to Associate and Director positions.
The firm runs financial wellbeing sessions, has six trained Mental Health First Aiders, and has a busy calendar of events and treats.
Social Mobility Award
Sponsored by 24 Hour Healthcare
Adams Food Services
Two businesses in this category are up for other awards, and Adams Food Services is one of those.
This family-orientated company is deeply committed to providing opportunities for the people of Bradford and proudly employs more than 250 individuals from diverse backgrounds.
A spokesperson for the business said: “At Adams Food Service, it is fundamental to us that our workforce mirrors the diversity of Bradford.
“We actively seek out talent from all walks of life, regardless of background, ethnicity, or gender.”
The team speaks more than 20 languages, encourages female workers to address the industry’s underrepresentation, and supports the Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring employment opportunities for ex-service personnel.
Sowing Seeds Tuition
Sowing Seeds Tuition is already in the running for the New Business of the Year Award but also features here as it provides a balanced education and wellbeing curriculum for children and young people, offering support in an area where many services are overwhelmed.
Founder, Rachel Girling, said: “One of the greatest achievements showing the lasting impact of our service was when a Year 11 student, who had been bullied and out of education for two years, attended our tuition and wellbeing sessions and was able to complete all of her GCSEs, and able to attend a course of her choice at college.”
GiveBradford
Give Bradford generates donations and leverages statutory funding to provide grants that address specific challenges, creating a fair and inclusive society and addressing inequality.
Its focus is on building a fairer future together, by addressing systemic issues such as poverty and unemployment, enabling marginalised communities, and prioritising flexible, sustainable, long-term solutions.
This involves equitable distribution of resources, amplifying the voices of the unheard, and promoting a shift to shared decision-making and collaboration.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “Bradford is home to a multicultural community ready to leave their mark on the world, filled with untapped potential.”
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Bradford 2025
Ella Baxter - Care Dynamics
Ella joined the firm in 2019 aged 17 and is on her second apprenticeship studying Human Resources.
A spokesperson for Care Dynamics said they were “sceptical” about what apprentices might bring to the business but Ella “soon proved our doubts unfounded”.
In the beginning, Ella was shy, unassuming, and unsure of her own abilities but she has quickly gained confidence and four-and-a-half years later she is a mentor herself.
Mohammed Safir – ACS
Saf has shown remarkable tenacity and resilience, consistently going above and beyond to meet the needs of both his colleagues and customers after joining as a Level 3 Sales Apprentice.
Despite facing a significant challenge - being legally deaf in one ear - Saf showed an unwavering commitment to his role and has overcome this.
Saf then became a Tech Engineer after his ability and knowledge of IT was recognised in training.
He is described by his mentor as “one of the best and brightest” apprentices they have ever trained.
Holly McLeod – Solenis
Holly joined Solenis in 2022 aged 18 as a business support apprentice and has since surpassed all expectations, becoming a true asset to the team.
Since the very start, Holly has completely thrown herself into the world of work, taking on responsibilities well above her level.
This includes the management of the Solenis Science Lab - a free resource for primary schools.
She completed her apprenticeship three months early in December 2023 with a Distinction.
Tommy Taylor - Mansfield Pollard
Tommy exemplifies excellence and dedication, has infectious optimism, and demonstrates what young ambition can achieve.
He consistently volunteers to represent Mansfield Pollard at various events and is a leader, having stepped forward to take a young labourer under his wing.
Tommy’s line managers all praise his work ethos and is increasingly recognised for his ability to comprehend the broader business implications of manufacturing and spearhead impactful changes.
Business in The Community Award
Sponsored by BRSK
Tong Garden Centre
Community is at the heart of everything Tong Garden Centre does, from their charity of the year - raising a minimum of £20,000 annually - to its £10,000 “Kindness Pot”.
The latter scheme gives the company’s employees and directors the opportunity to support initiatives close to their heart.
It has supported more than 95 causes so far, such as a gardening project at Norristhorpe Infant and Junior School, the Cavernoma Alliance UK after an employee was diagnosed with the rare disease, a wellbeing garden in a nearby village, and providing seeds for planting projects in Leeds and Bradford.
Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society operates more than 100 branches across the country but specifically in Bradford it has become a vital community hub, establishing strong relationships with charities and community groups dedicated to helping people.
Each employee has 31 volunteering hours to use a year and the company holds events in its city centre branch, such as a Citizens Advice session and Job Centre presentations.
The banking business also helps out local people by hosting fraud and scam sessions, to educate them and keep their money safe.
Being a responsible company is also key to Yorkshire Building Society’s role in the community, particularly when it comes to the environment and the city centre branch has removed plastic wallets for its passbooks.
Sovereign Healthcare
This century-and-a-half old not-for-profit organisation has consistently donated between five and 10 per cent of its annual turnover to charities and organisations that work to improve the health and wellbeing of those living in Yorkshire, including local NHS Trusts.
Its Community Programme donations over the past 17 years has totalled £11.7 million.
One of the group’s proudest achievements was donating a record £1.5 million to the local community, to mark 150 years of looking after the health and wellbeing of Bradfordians and beyond.
This included more than £970,000 to local NHS Trusts and there were over 100 beneficiaries, such as food banks.
Business of the Year
Sponsored by Blacks Solicitors
Every winner and nominee is deserving of praise but one of those who picks up an award on the night will be crowned Business of the Year or Winner of the Winners Award.
The judges make their decision after reviewing the winner from the other 11 categories and debate which of those has stood out as the cream of the crop.
This business or person will be announced by the category sponsor, Blacks Solicitors on the night.
The ultimate winner will be the company or individual that has made the best overall contribution to business in Bradford.
This year’s ceremony is set to be the biggest yet and hundreds of the district’s business elite will flock to Cedar Court - which underwent a £1 million refurbishment last year - for the first time.
Last year, SME Business of the Year Award winner, MyLahore, took the top gong amid fierce competition.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here