Pendle Business Awards 2024

170 attendees comprising finalists, sponsors, supporters and guests celebrated business success, innovation and entrepreneurship at the black tie event. All were treated to a sparkling reception on arrival, courtesy of Reception Sponsors NORI HR & Employment Law.

 

The awards brought the Pendle business community together to celebrate their success, innovation, hard work, vision and entrepreneurship. They also recognised the tenacity, adaptability and resilience shown by organisations across the borough when facing the many challenges of recent years. Over 35 different and diverse finalists were celebrated on the evening, businesses and organisations that underpin our Pendle communities providing services, products, employment, opportunities and supporting local need. 

To ensure that the awards celebrated and reflected the breadth and depth of businesses that make Pendle the fantastic place it is to work, live and visit four brand new awards were added for 2024 - Family Business, Hospitality & Tourism, Not For Profit and Retailer of the Year.

This meant that 14 different award categories were contested on the evening, with each having been shortlisted down to just three finalists by the PBA judges and sponsors. Despite returning for the first time in six years, there was much competition which meant that finalists had to be doing something special to impress the judges to make the shortlist. Some organisations were finalists in multiple categories, which given the standard of entries was a fantastic achievement.

After networking on arrival, swing singer Arthur Geldard entertained the room prior to the ceremony throughout the delicious three course dinner, interacting with the audience and even inspiring a conga on his last song!

The MC for the evening was Simon Brierley of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The CEO of Pendle Borough Council, Rose Rouse provided the opening address, with Awards Organiser Rachel Kay of Pendle Connects and Leader of the Council Asjad Mahmood also taking the stage to provide their own welcomes and introductions.

The awards were presented after dinner, on stage, by the category sponsors with the Winners being invited to the stage to receive their awards. Winners and finalists were then having official photographs taken with their sponsors and receiving commemorative certificates. Huge congratulations to all our 2024 winners, who are listed below.

The final award of the evening, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Stephen Barnes in recognition of 50 years dedication and service to the Borough of Pendle. Stephen received a standing ovation after being presented with his award by the Chairman of the Pendle Vision Board, Dennis Mendoros OBE DL.

Headline Sponsor for the awards was Pendle Borough Council. The awards were also supported by East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Pendle Vision Board. Trophy Sponsors were Barnfield Construction and adPak, Andrew Stephenson CBE and Barlick Raj Balti joined as Ceremony & Entertainment Sponsors. D&M Creative based in Barrowford printed the banners, brochures, certificates and tableplan.

Organiser Rachel Kay said ‘I’d like to say a huge congratulations to all our Winners, and to our Finalists too. It was a real privilege to celebrate with you, we’re delighted you could join us. I would also like to thank all our sponsors and supporters for their commitment to PBA24, without them we simply couldn’t have run the awards. Pendle Connects is delighted to announce that Pendle Business Awards will now be an annual celebration of achievement and innovation. Planning has started for 2025 already and the Ceremony will take place Thursday 3 July again at The Fence Gate.

There are plenty of ways for businesses to get involved with the 2025 awards, find out more and view the exciting sponsorship opportunities at the dedicated website www.pendlebusinessawards.co.uk or contact Organiser Rachel Kay on 07920 775457.

Full albums of photos and individual winners announcements can be found on the PBA social media pages @pendlebusinesssawards at Facebook and LinkedIn – Official Winners & Finalists Photos at print and web resolution can be found at these links: https://bit.ly/PBA24Winners  https://bit.ly/PBA24Finalists

Issued by Rachel Kay, organiser of Pendle Business Awards