SUMMER 2019 FSB AWARDS SHINING THROUGH THE GLOOM Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager, FSB Images: istock / sakkmesterke Small firms in the West Midlands are rising above economic uncertainty and doing great things – as was highlighted at the Federation of Small Businesses awards Worcester-based Pharma Packaging Systems won the UK Business and Product Innovation category at the 2019 FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards, held at Battersea Evolution, London, on 23 May. The company – which makes high-tech pharmaceutical packaging – works with some of the biggest brands in the industry, and beat off competition from 11 other area finalists to take the national accolade. Scottish tourism firm Cruise Loch Ness was the overall winner, as well as taking the UK Family Business award. Pharma Packaging Systems was one of 11 West Midlands firms that attended the London event after winning their respective categories in the regional competition earlier this year (see below). All types of business – in every sector and from every region of the UK – were encouraged to enter the awards, which showcase the best-performing, most innovative and most determined small firms. Despite the UK’s current, extremely challenging, economic environment, the West Midlands competition attracted even more entries than last year, and around 150 people attended the regional final at the Forest of Arden Hotel in Meriden. Sarah Windrum – FSB West Midlands’ policy representative and co-founder of Warwickshire-based Emerald Group IT – opened proceedings. She said: ‘The standard, number and diversity of entries this year has been outstanding. At a time when the news seems full of doom and gloom, it’s been really rewarding to see so many small businesses doing great things... and doing great. Small businesses are facing many challenges, but our awards demonstrate that many are rising above and beyond them.’ The headline sponsor of this year’s West Midlands awards was FSB Insurance Service. Its managing director, David Perry, said: ‘Again, the awards have shown how innovation, dedication and tenacity are driving forward some really diverse and successful enterprises in the West Midlands.’ WEST MIDLAND AWARD WINNERS: Employer of the Year and Business & Product Innovation: Pharma Packaging Systems, Worcestershire Young Entrepreneur: InPower Academy CIC Community and Family Business: Gloverspiece Minifarm, Worcestershire Scale Up: Little Soap Company, Worcestershire Start-up: Lower House Equine Clinic, Shropshire International: KPM Marine, Warwickshire Micro Business: Totem Learning, Coventry Ethical-Green Business: Laundry Efficiency, Staffordshire Digital Innovation: Purple Frog Systems, Shropshire For further information, please contact the Federation of Small Businesses Employer of the Year and Business & Product Innovation: Pharma Packaging Systems, Worcestershire Designs and manufactures high-speed, pharmaceutical tablet-counting machinery, using infrared sensors. Young Entrepreneur: InPower Academy CIC Uses martial arts to take young people on a journey of self-discovery. Based in Wolverhampton, it works in the education sector, as well as with the police and the YMCA to support communities and help address local issues. Community and Family Business: Gloverspiece Minifarm, Worcestershire Home to rescued animals that are then used in therapy sessions with clients. Its award-winning SEN primary school opened in 2017 and specialises in educating children with extremely challenging behaviour or anxiety. Scale Up: Little Soap Company, Worcestershire It has become the first organic bar soap to be stocked by Waitrose, Boots, Booths, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Whole Foods, Tesco and Fetch. The company is increasing stores and lines every year, and venturing into export, as well as a pet range. Start-up: Lower House Equine Clinic, Shropshire Offers bespoke veterinary services to the local equine community. In the past 12 months, it has received accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and Investors in People, and has become a veterinary nurse training clinic. International: KPM Marine, Warwickshire Its products are designed in the West Midlands, with 95% local supply and manufacture. The company exports 80 per cent of its sales to 38 countries, spends 10 per cent of turnover on research & development and skills training, and has won three international design awards. Micro Business: Totem Learning, Coventry One of the world’s leading games companies, developing game-based learning solutions for the corporate and educational sectors. Ethical-Green Business: Laundry Efficiency, Staffordshire Helps small and medium-sized commercial laundries become more productive, save money and be more energy efficient with an ozone product and service that also improves the quality of the linen washed. Digital Innovation: Purple Frog Systems, Shropshire Develops and manages business intelligence solutions to help firms improve efficiency and effectiveness. It has worked with some of the world’s largest brands, including space agencies.