When you are looking to get recognition for your business, it is key that those on the judging panel are the best of the best.
That’s why we have enlisted the help of leaders from the top business and organisations for the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards sponsored by Prosperis, culminating with an awards dinner on March 9, 2023.
There is representation from across the Harrogate district and beyond with Black Sheep Brewery from Masham, Reed Boardall from Boroughbridge, Cloud Nine from Harrogate and the York and North Yorkshire LEP from Northallerton.
We have chosen these judges for their expertise, experience and positions in a wide variety of sectors.
Each judge kindly gives their free time to participate in the process. Any judge with a conflict of interest in a particular category will step away for the duration of those discussions.
We really do have representation from top businesses on board. So it’s time to meet the judges:
Charlene Lyons, CEO of Black Sheep Brewery
Charlene Lyons, an experienced management consultant, became CEO of Black Sheep Brewery in early 2020 after a period as a consultant, helping the business evolve and grow its position as a famous Yorkshire brand.
Marcus Boardall, CEO of Reed Boardall
Marcus Boardall, a qualified Chartered Accountant, joined the family business, Reed Boardall in 2003 where he continues his father’s legacy of supporting and encouraging his colleagues in the pursuit of excellence.
Martin Rae, CEO of Cloud Nine
Martin Rae is the CEO and Founder of Cloud Nine – a Harrogate-based international haircare brand founded by Martin, his brother and stepdad. Cloud Nine was founded in 2008 with a small team but it is now a global brand.
James Farrar, COO of York and North Yorkshire LEP
James works with the York and North Yorksire Local Enterprise Partnership partners and Board to mobilise the team into action. His experience includes leading responses to recession, grown his own professional services business allowing him to have an understanding of business needs and how to encourage economic growth.
Once the deadline for entries has passed, the judges will assess each entry in the same format and without any material that goes against the terms and conditions.
The judges score the entry according to the criteria of each category. The judges will then meet to discuss their scores and make a final decision during a single day of judging. The judging process is final and all decisions are final.
It’s free and easy to enter. We will profile the great work of all the finalists, so we would encourage you to put forward your business today.
You can see a full list of award categories on our Awards page. Entries close January 16.
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
A Harrogate-based hair and beauty brand has reached a £50,000 fundraiser target for The Little Princess Trust.
Cloud Nine started fundraising for the charity, which provides free, real hair wigs and support to children and their families through childhood hair loss, back in September.
The company launched a limited edition “Royal Blue” collection as part of its partnership with the charity to help raise funds.
Now, Cloud Nine has hit its target and raised £52,442.
In addition to raising £50,000, the company has also generated hair donations of over 74 inches of hair for the charity.
Martin Rae, CEO at Cloud Nine, said:
“We have sold out of our Royal Blue Collection in the UK and Australia, which has been very popular. It is fantastic to know that we have raised this amount of money for such an important cause.
“The team are already arranging other events to raise more for The Little Princess Trust, including The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.”
Phil Brace, CEO at The Little Princess Trust, said:
“We are so grateful to Cloud Nine for their incredible support. The money raised will help the charity provide free wigs to children and young people that really need them.”
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Harrogate rental company reports improved interim results
A Harrogate-based equipment rental company has announced improved profits as part of its interim results.
In the six months up to September 2022, Vp reported revenues of £186.5 million compared with £176.1 million on the same period last year.
The company, which is based at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, also announced profit before tax, amortisation and exceptional items increased by 6% to £21.5 million.
Vp said the results reflected “a period of continued recovery” and was a result of “sustained demand across the group’s business units”.
Jeremy Pilkington, Chairman of Vp plc, said:
The Stray Ferret launches 2023 Business Awards“I am pleased to report a solid set of results that reflect a period of continuing recovery and which demonstrate the enduring strength of our business and the maintenance of our industry leading returns.
“Our businesses have continued to make good progress in their engagement with customers and supply chain partners to deliver sustainable and innovative fleet solutions as we collectively strive to reduce emissions.
“The period under review has seen continued inflationary pressure on fleet capital costs, transport, fuel, wages, utilities and interest costs, but we have largely mitigated these with agreed price increases combined with a diligent focus on efficiencies within our business. We expect these actions to remain a priority for the foreseeable future.
“Notwithstanding these challenges, we remain alert to quality growth opportunities whether organic or via acquisitions and we remain confident of delivering a full year outcome in line with the Board’s expectations.”
Does your business or workplace have a good story to tell? We’re looking to recognise the best and the brightest in the Harrogate district’s business community.
On March 9 next year, the Stray Ferret Business Awards will celebrate those businesses at a glittering black tie ceremony in the Pavilions of Harrogate and we want your entries.
The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, sponsored by local financial advisers Prosperis, are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district including Ripon, Masham, Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.
We are delighted to announce four of the region’s most influential leaders are on the Stray Ferret Business Award’s judging panel:
- James Farrar: COO, York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership
- Charlene Lyons: CEO, Black Sheep Brewery
- Marcus Boardall: CEO, Reed Boardall
- Martin Rae: CEO, Cloud Nine
There are 10 award categories − from Dynamic Leader to Business Growth and Inclusivity.
It doesn’t matter if the business is large or small − the awards are to recognise excellent organisations, their leaders or unsung heroes.
It’s free to nominate and we will profile the great work of all the winners, so we would encourage you to put forward your business today.
You can see a full list of award categories on our Awards page. Entries close January 16.
In tough times we need, more than ever, to celebrate success and give individuals and teams the recognition they deserve.
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Ripon BID is to hold its first Annual Review tonight.
BID chairman Richard Compton of Newby Hall & Gardens, will welcome businesses and give an introduction to the BID, its aims and objectives.
It will be followed by a short presentation by the BID Team on the achievements of the first year of operations and a brief overview of the plans for next year.
The floor will then be opened up to questions. The event is from 6pm-8pm at the Claro Lounge.
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Cloud Nine CEO wins award
The CEO of Harrogate based hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has been named as The Most Ambitious Business Leader of 2022 in awards run by LDC, the private equity arm of the Lloyds Banking Group.
The programme celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.
Established in 2009 Cloud Nine, at Hornbeam Park, has gone from strength to strength with its turnover now standing at £36m.
The judges commended Martin Rae for his innovative and sustainable approach to business and his ambition to build the biggest electrical haircare brand in the world.
Martin Rae said:
“To be named as the Most Ambitious Business Leader of 2022 is a huge honour. It is also recognition of the efforts of the full team of people at Cloud Nine. It might be my name on the list, but it is not just me who has achieved such success.
“We are a family business and I like to think of the wider team as one big family that operates successfully due to the culture we have created. Long may that continue in the future.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of our suppliers and customers – without whom we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Martin Rae, CEO Could Nine with his award
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Harrogate-based Cloud Nine has appointed a new director as it eyes growth in Australia.
Seaneen Copeland – who began her career as a trainee hair stylist in her home city of Belfast – has joined the business as its new sales and marketing director for the country.
Before moving to Australia 10 years ago, Seaneen worked with a number of major brands in the hair and fashion industries, including Levi Strauss, Kookai Paris, Tommy Hilfiger, Zakks Hair Group N Ireland, GHD, Showpony, Salon Express and most recently Price Attack.
Since launching in Australia in 2011, the country has become increasingly important to Cloud Nine with 40% of is group revenue now coming from its Australian subsidiary.
Jo Fox, group sales and marketing director for Cloud Nine, said:
“With her vast experience Seaneen is a perfect fit for Cloud Nine.
“Australia is a very important market for us, so it’s great that we recruited someone based in Australia who shares our ambition for growth in the Southern Hemisphere.
“And having worked with Seaneen previously, I know her passion and determination to succeed is incredible. She is a superb addition to the Cloud Nine team.”
New EnviroVent headquarters complete
A new headquarters for EnviroVent on Harrogate West Business Park has been completed.
Sutcliffe Construction Ltd, which was brought in to construct the building, confirmed that work is now complete on the new HQ.
The new building includes manufacturing space, warehousing, offices and training facilities.
EnviroVent opted for the new HQ, which includes air source heat pumps, solar panels, and a heat recovery system, in an effort to become net-zero carbon across the business by 2030.
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Harrogate-based Cloud Nine sees turnover rise by a third
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Harrogate-based Cloud Nine sees turnover rise by a third
Well-known hair tool brand, Cloud Nine, is based in Harrogate and has this week reported a rise in turnover of more than a third.
The firm, based at Hornbeam Park, said turnover increased by more than a third to £35.7m for the year ending December 2021.
It also posted an operating profit of £9.9m, a 39 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.
The company employs more than 60 members of staff at its Harrogate headquarters and said the growth was due to significant growth in Australia, new product launches, and global exposure from its Love Island sponsorship deal.
Chief executive, Martin Rae, said:
“This is a very pleasing set of results, which cements our position as one of the world’s leading sellers of hair styling and beauty products.
“Our Australian business, which grew by over 100 per cent on the previous year, plus the launch of several new products has lifted our turnover and profitability. Over the last few years our online growth has been huge, and this remains a major focus area of our business today.”
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Networking Event Harrogate
The next The Northern Affinity monthly event is being held in Harrogate for first time at the new Wizu Workspace this Friday.
The Northern Affinity describes itself as “a partnership of SMEs and businesses in the North of England who collaborate with shared values and beliefs”.
There are a few places left for guests . The event starts at 9am.
For more information click here.
Harrogate’s Cloud Nine appoints new marketing managerHarrogate-based hair and beauty brand Cloud Nine has appointed a new brand and marketing manager.
Laura Proctor has taken up the role, which comes as part of an expansion of the workforce at the company.
Cloud Nine recently appointed a new HR business partner, Beth Daley.
Speaking on her new role, Ms Proctor said:
“Cloud Nine is a brand I am extremely passionate about and I’m thrilled to be joining the team – this is an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to support the brand on its growth journey.”
Harrogate agencies post record quarter
Paul Snape (centre) with (L to R) Caroline Joynson, Susan Reid, Sarah Hone, Richard Lee and Helen Brady.
Media and profile agencies Appeal and GBM posted a record quarter with £175,000 in sales – an increase of 54%.
The Harrogate-based companies, which are sister organisations, have also appointed two new senior consultants to deliver a raft of new projects for a range of firms, from regional software and technology businesses to professional services organisation.
Paul Snape, founder, said:“In 2020, we launched new services, leveraging our media coverage to generate inbound sales leads online for growing SMEs, and that has helped us expand the US work as more and more firms strive to get a foothold in the North American market.”
Ripon’s newest business is another First for Rebecca
Rebecca Crallan will open the doors to The GreenHouse – Ripon’s newest business – at 10am tomorrow..
Ms Crallan, who earned a Double First in biology at Cambridge University, before obtaining her PhD at York, is leaving the world of academia and research work behind her for a brand-new career in retail.
Rebecca Crallan with her environmentally-friendly Miniml refillables range of cleaning products
Latterly based in London, where she worked for four years at Cancer Research UK, she has returned to her native Ripon, to put her scientific know-how into creating the eco and environmentally-friendly indie business.
The Stray Ferret visited 11, North Street yesterday for a sneak peek of the products on offer, and to hear why Ms Crallan decided to launch her venture in the city where she was born and bred.
She said:
“I came up with the idea while working at home during the covid lockdown.
“We’re all aware of reports on how we are damaging our planet, polluting the earth, oceans and air with plastics and gases and causing climate change.
“But those reports all call for action: If we act now we can change the outcome.”
Blankets made from redundant yarns, reduce the amount of material going as waste to landfill
She added:
“My mission is to make it easier for people to choose the greener option. From household chores to home styling and everyday needs to luxury treats.”
The products on sale have been carefully selected and locally sourced to minimise the impact on the environment.
Items on sale have been chosen with eco and environmental considerations top of mind
In addition to a refillables range of eco-friendly cleaning products, Yorkshire-made blankets created from recycled or redundant yarns are on offer.
There are also home and garden goods, locally-produced artisan-made wrapping papers and cards. .
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In setting up the business, Ms Crallan was able to call on the retail expertise of her partner Patricio Maglio.
His day job is at ASDA head office in Leeds and on some nights he is on ceremonial duty, setting the watch on Ripon Market Square, as one of the city’s four hornblowers.
Opening hours for the GreenHouse are between 10am and 4pm from Wednesday to Saturday. .
The shop also sells takeaway coffee, served in biodegradable cups.