WITH over 400 people in attendance, the inaugural Wrexham Business and Community Awards proved a resounding success.
Taking place on Friday, November 10, it was a celebration of the best of Wrexham and the culmination of months of hard work by the organisers.
Judging was hard, with over 85 award entries to be reviewed and the team was excited to announce the shortlisted companies and the ultimate eight winners on the night.
Hosted by Jason Mohammad, on the grounds of Net World Sports’ site on Wrexham Industrial Estate, the awards evening really shone a spotlight on Wrexham’s finest, from the supporters and suppliers, through to the entertainment and the food and drink – much of which was locally sourced – and of course, all of the award entrants and the shortlisted companies.
The awards
Next Generation Award
The Next Generation Award went to the business that demonstrated an established, successful apprenticeship programme. The number of apprentices was not important, what was, was the company’s commitment to creating a programme that engages the apprentice and helps to create tomorrow’s skilled workforce.
The shortlist
- JCB Transmissions
- Kellogg’s Co of GB
- Moneypenny
Winner: Moneypenny
Moneypenny has been employing people in the Wrexham area since the business was established in 2000 and now employs over 1,200 brilliant people across its Wrexham, UK, and Atlanta, USA, sites.
The company has a long-standing relationship with Coleg Cambria, through the ongoing courses it offers employees. Consequently, it has worked with the college to create a dedicated apprenticeship programme. It is committed to creating opportunities for young people in the Wrexham area. And, as a result, Moneypenny benefits and will continue to have an excellent, home-grown pipeline of future leaders.
Up and Coming Award
The Up and Coming Award aimed to celebrate new businesses that were established in 2021 or later. Successful entries needed to be able to demonstrate growth in the first two years of trading – and have plans in place to show how the business intends to develop. Every entrant also needed to be able to show a range of initiatives, policies and procedures in place, that help position it as something different.
The shortlist
- Populi Media
- The Uncommon Practice
- Toast Café and Deli
Winner: The Uncommon Practice
The Uncommon Practice is a professional services consultancy with a difference. Based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, it employs 15 people in accountancy, consultancy and law. The Uncommon Practice dares to be different – to be proactive, pragmatic, positive, forward-looking, with personality – in the heart of Wrexham!
Social Enterprise Award
Social enterprises are businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing £60 billion to the economy and employing around two million people. This Social Enterprise Award is designed to celebrate these companies.
The shortlist
- Advance Brighter Futures
- Glyn Wylfa
- Litegreen Foundation CIC
Winner: Glyn Wylfa
Glyn Wylfa Ltd is located at the head of Ceiriog Valley above the designated Wrexham World Heritage site and started trading 10 years ago as a social enterprise and member of the Development Trust Association of Wales. The volunteer directors have ensured that its aims and objectives remain for the benefit of Chirk and the local community. There is a café, community hub, tourist information centre and it is open seven days a week; Glyn Wylfa House accommodates 11 fully equipped modern offices, which are rented to local businesses on a flexible, fully inclusive rental basis. The businesses employ approximately 30 local residents and provide valuable community services. If you’ve not yet visited Glyn Wylfa, it’s really worth making the visit.
One Wrexham Award
The One Wrexham Award went to a business or individual that demonstrated a continuous commitment to diversity and inclusion in all its forms, showing a positive impact on colleagues and customers.
The shortlist
- FOCUS Wales
- Wrexham AFC
- Wrexham Rugby Club
Winner: Wrexham AFC
The work undertaken at Wrexham Football Club to ensure accessibility for all is something we should be very proud of as a community. With the support of the Wrexham Disability Supporters Association, initiatives show the club’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, making Wrexham Football Club accessible to all. Accessibility for wheelchair users, Autism Friendly status, audio descriptive commentary, audio programmes, braille signage and dementia friendly football, as well as so much more.
Gwobr Cymraeg Award
The Gwobr Cymraeg Award was for the business that recognises the value of the Welsh language for its colleagues and customers, creating an environment for the language to flourish. It recognises the organisation with a particularly innovative approach to supporting and encouraging the ongoing use of Welsh within the business.
- FOCUS Wales
- InstaSim
- Saith Seren – Clwb Clebran
Winner: Saith Seren – Clwb Clebran
Established in January 2012, the ‘Saith’, thanks to amazing local support, has gone from strength to strength, welcoming regulars and visitors that are keen to find out more about the pub on the corner that has done so much to promote the Welsh language and culture in Wrexham.
The ‘Clwb Clebran’, the only informal social night for Welsh leaners that provides a welcoming environment to practise conversational Welsh with other learners in the comfort of a pub! Being able to practise with confidence outside the classroom has helped to cross that bridge from learner to fluency. So, if you are keen to learn Welsh beyond the classroom, get down to Clwb Clebran at the Saith Seren on Thursday nights.
Business Learning Award
Business Learning Award is designed to recognise the business that has collaborated the best with a local school or college to provide benefits to the students and the workforce. It recognises the best business-based, student-led project that has empowered and motivated the students involved. Celebrating businesses that encourage the next generation – and the students that take advantage of the opportunities.
The shortlist
- Delta Academy
- FOCUS Wales
- Xplore!
Winner: Xplore!
Xplore! is a Science Discovery Centre and educational charity, based in the middle of Wrexham, with a purpose to be a home for science, working with communities, building trust, sparking curiosity, and raising aspirations. Xplore! works to bridge the gap between learners, industry and organisations. Its impact is felt in schools and communities right across North Wales and the North West by engaging with over 55,000 people every single year. If you’ve not been to Xplore! yet, where have you been?!
Green Wrexham Award
With the race to Net Zero gathering more momentum, green policies need to be given more than lip-service. Green Wrexham is awarded to a business or individual that demonstrates a tangible impact and an ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives.
The shortlist
- Beech Avenue Brewery
- Eco-Readymix
- Platts Agriculture Ltd
Winner: Platts Agriculture Ltd
Established in 1973, Platts Agriculture Limited is based on the Llay Industrial Estate and manufactures quality, sustainable products for the animal bedding industry, and today employs 60 people. It is making continuous improvements to reduce waste, has developed a more sustainable product that can be used sparingly, reduced polyethylene usage by 23% and is implementing processes to work towards a carbon net zero target.
Spirit of Wrexham Award
The Spirit of Wrexham Award recognises the organisation that takes its social responsibility seriously. This award is for the business that embodies the spirit of Wrexham and its people. It must hold social responsibility at its heart, and continually look to see how it can help local people achieve more.
- AVOW
- JCB Transmissions
- Litegreen Foundation
- Net World Sports
- Queensway Community Group
Winner: Queensway Community Group
Queensway Community, situated in the heart of Wrexham, is a prime example of dedication, compassion, and community spirit. With its impressive initiatives and steadfast commitment, the organisation stands out as representing the true spirit of Wrexham.
From monthly dementia meals, life skills workshops encompassing crafting, knitting, clothes repair, and now even fitness classes tailored for dementia sufferers, Queensway Community effectively addresses the practical needs of its community.
Queensway Community isn't merely an operation; it's a force that uplifts and empowers. Serving as a symbol of compassion, holistic care, and community cohesion, it shines as a beacon of hope in Wrexham.
2023 marked the start of the Wrexham Business and Community Awards (WBCA), established to recognise the wonderful work taking place every day within our business and local community.
There is so much to celebrate locally – whether it’s the largest multinational organisation that has chosen Wrexham as its base, or the start-up sole trader, breathing new life into our borough.
The awards are also intended to inspire and empower our workforce of the future to reach for the stars, dream and achieve.
The sponsors
The team at WBCA would like to thank its amazing sponsors for their unfailing support. Their sponsorship has enabled these awards to happen. The WBCAs is not for profit and fully-funded by our sponsors, and from the ticket sales from the awards night.
Platinum sponsors
- Castle Green
- Net World Sports
- Wrexham County Borough Council
Gold sponsors
- Glyndwr Business Enterprise Team
- Lloyds Banking Group
Silver Sponsors
- GAP
- Gorton Brothers
- Moneypenny
- RE-V Power and Solar
- RF Bellis
- Barlows
The judges
Under the expert leadership of Best Companies, 20 judges came together to deliberate over the shortlist and ultimate winner. The company’s involvement ensured that the judging process was fair and transparent. A huge thanks goes out to Best Companies and the judges that kindly donated their time and expertise. They came from our sponsors, chosen charities and ‘friends of WBCA’.
The charities
The money is still being finalised, but WBCA is excited to be supporting a number of local charities this year, including:
- Advanced Brighter Futures
- Action for AT
- Baby Basics
- Cancer Research UK
- Dynamic
- Hope House
- Mind The Gap
- Nightingale House
- Wrexham Food Bank
- Yellow and Blue
There was also a charity ‘gift box’ raffle on the night, which raised over £3,000, which will be added to the charitable donations that the chosen charities will receive. Thank you for all the prizes generously donated.
It has been an exciting journey for the first-ever Wrexham Business and Community Awards. The team is delighted with the welcome the awards have received. The networking events throughout the year have been well supported and there are many people whose time, effort and expertise has been immeasurable.
The team would like to thank everyone who has been involved this year, in particular the teams at Film Café, Skellon Events and the Lemon Tree, along with all their suppliers, who turned the founders’ vision into a reality on the night.
Wrexham Business and Community Awards will be back in 2024 and the team would love to hear from any local business that would be interested in getting involved. Visit the website to register your interest: www.wrexhambca.co.uk
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