27
Mar
Stray Ferret Business Awards 2026: All the winners revealed!
This article is free to read. We publish about 100 articles a week all exclusively focused on local news. Please support independent local journalism by subscribing here. It costs as little as 14p a day.
Hundreds of guests turned out in their finest last night to celebrate the best of the district's business community and to find out the winners of the 2026 Stray Ferret Business Awards.
The black-tie event was held at Pavilions of Harrogate and was sponsored once again by Knaresborough-based financial advisers Prosperis.
The evening, which was hosted by Stray Ferret owner Tamsin O'Brien, included a champagne reception hosted by Pavilions of Harrogate, a three-course dinner, and a winners' lounge sponsored by LCF Law.
The evening was presented by BBC Look North newsreader Clare Frisby, who said:
This is the fourth year of the Stray Ferret Business Awards, and there is something unique about this ceremony, because all the firms – whether they’re sponsoring it, whether they’re nominated, whether they’re finalists, or whether they’re winners – everybody's invested in it. That’s why the awards ceremony works – because it’s such a great atmosphere.
There were also chances to win some fabulous prizes. There was a draw to win a £250 voucher donated by jeweller Ogden of Harrogate and a game of Heads or Tails to win a night with dinner at the luxurious Swinton Park Hotel near Masham.
The evening was rounded off with dancing till midnight, with DJ Mark Green providing the soundtrack.
The main event, of course, was the announcement of our 10 winners. They are:
Best Employer – sponsored by Jones Myers
Winner: Appetite for Life
Appetite for Life
Best Independent Retailer – sponsored by Hornbeam Park
Winner: H2K
H2K Botanicals
Best Use of Digital – sponsored by Skinny Design
Winner: Ruffords
Rufford's
Family Business – sponsored by HMCA
Winner: Ogden of Harrogate
Ogden of Harrogate
Inclusivity – sponsored by Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors
Winner: Vida Healthcare
Vida Healthcare
Sustainable Business – sponsored by The Stray Ferret
Joint winners: Lightwater Quarries and the Swinton Estate
Swinton Estate
Lightwater Quarries
Employee Appreciation – sponsored by Vida Healthcare
Winner: Jason McLoughlin, Lightwater Quarries
Jason McLoughlin of Lightwater Quarries
Dynamic Leader – sponsored by Ogden of Harrogate
Winner: Liz Cluderay, Artizan International
Liz Cluderay with Matthew from Artizan
Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants
Winner: Freddie Calvert, Lightwater Quarries
Freddie Calvert of Lightwater Quarries
Business of the Year – sponsored by S&W
Winner: Swinton Estate
Swinton Estate
0