News

Voting for the People’s Choice category in the Midlands Family Business Awards has opened, giving the public the chance to make their views count and vote for fourth generation local family business Ward, which is a double finalist in this year’s Awards.

Ward is not only a finalist in the ‘Fastest Growing Family Business’ category but has made the shortlist in the top accolade ‘Family Business of the Year’ in the Midlands Family Business Awards, the UK’s only independent, not-for-profit annual Awards showcase for family businesses in the Midlands.

As a double 2018 finalist Ward is automatically entered into the People’s Choice category, which is decided purely by public vote and the rare opportunity for customers, clients, employees, business contacts, their local community and followers to make their views count by voting for their personal favourite family business.

Voting is open from 22nd October until midnight on the 15th November 2018, is completely free of charge and can be made online via the Awards website www.familybusinessawards.co.uk.

Donald Ward, Commercial Manager at Ward said: “We are really excited to have been shortlisted in two categories this year’s Family Business Awards and entered into the People’s Choice Award. We’ve seen some significant investment with the redevelopment of our Chesterfield site, new offices at Ilkeston, the opening of our dedicated dock to increase our metal export capabilities and most recently launching WARDrobe, our new textile recycling service – its been a busy year.

“It would be such a proud moment for the Ward extended family to be chosen as the People’s Choice Award and testament to our hard working team. We are a people business and we hope we can encourage all of our friends, family, customers and suppliers to get behind us and cast their votes.”

Voting has closed

Once voting has closed at midnight on the 15th November, all votes will be counted to identify the overall Winner and two Highly Commended in the category.

All Award and category winners will be revealed at the Midlands Family Business Awards’ ceremony and black-tie dinner on Thursday 22nd November 2018 at Leicester’s Athena.

“All our fantastic finalists are entered into our People’s Choice category, which is sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants,” explains Charlotte Perkins, Group MD of The Wilson Organisation, which organises the Awards. “This is the only category decided purely by public vote.

“Our online voting system is now open but closes on the 15th November and in contrast to the other award categories, this People’s Choice gives the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite family business, but time is limited!”

Now in their ninth year, the Midlands Family Business Awards are backed and run by The Wilson Organisation, and are the UK’s only independent, not for profit awards for family businesses. And in a new feature for 2018, all winners will also have automatic entry into the regional finals of the Family Business of the Year Awards, run by partner of the Midlands Family Business Awards, Family Business United, along with any relevant industry and market sector categories.

For more information about the Awards, and to vote in the People’s Choice category, visit: www.familybusinessawards.co.uk.

The Awards are the only independent not-for-profit Awards for family businesses in the Midlands. This year they are sponsored by OrderWise, Buckles Solicitors, Goldfish Luxury Travel, John Pye Auctions, Morningside Pharmaceuticals, NIG, PwC, Shakespeare Martineau and Streets Chartered Accountants, The Wilson Organisation and V Formation.

The Awards’ organiser The Wilson Organisation provides innovative insurance and financial solutions to businesses and individuals both regionally and nationally. For more information, visit: www.wilorg.com, or Tel: 0115 942 0111.

The full line-up of categories and their sponsors in 2018 is:

• Family Business of the Year – sponsored by OrderWise
• Best Small Family Business – sponsored by John Pye Auctions
• Director of the Year – sponsored by Goldfish
• Employer of the Year – sponsored by Buckles Solicitors
• Fastest Growing Family Business – sponsored by PwC
• Innovation – sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
• Service Excellence – sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau
• Manufacturing Excellence
• Retail Excellence
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• People’s Choice Award – sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants and decided by public vote.

For more information about Ward visit www.ward.com.