The Stray Ferret is delighted to announce that the chief executive of North Yorkshire Council will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards.
Richard Flinton’s speech at the awards in March 2023 will be timely because the new council will come into existence the following month.
Mr Flinton, who is currently chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, is at the forefront of the creation of the new unitary authority so he is well-placed to give our audience an insight into the changes to come.
Since joining North Yorkshire County Council as a trainee trading standards officer 30 years ago, Mr Flinton has held many roles including assistant head of trading standards, lead of the council’s economic development team, assistant chief executive and director of business and environmental services before becoming chief executive.
As chief executive he has covered statutory roles as director of children and young people’s services and director of health and adult services. He now chairs the chief executives group and the local resilience forum.
From April 2023, he will oversee the merging of the existing seven district and borough councils with North Yorkshire County Council to form North Yorkshire Council.
Once complete, he will be responsible for around 10,500 staff and a budget of £1.4 billion.
Many challenges ahead for North Yorkshire Council
There are significant challenges ahead for North Yorkshire Council, with inflation at its highest level for 40 years, a growing elderly population which is already at one-in-four of the county’s population and a recruitment crisis.
With so many changes and challenges for North Yorkshire Council, this is a keynote speaker that can’t be missed.
Get your early access tickets for the Stray Ferret Business Awards now and make sure to enter your business for one or more of our ten award categories by clicking or tapping here.
The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.
Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.
Next up is the Digital Innovation Award, which is sponsored by ASE Computers.
This award is designed to highlight those businesses which are leading the way in the digital world.
These businesses have embraced digital and grown the business as a result.
This innovation can come in many forms, including putting your business online, developing an app or using other digital applications like social media.
Companies looking to enter for the Digital Innovation Award need to provide examples of the success your business has had with digital, including any statistical data to support.
Do you know a business that deserves to win the Digital Innovation Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!
Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.
The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.
Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.
Next up is the Rising Star under 30 Award, which is sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants.
This award is designed to highlight some of the young talent from across the Harrogate district.
Those nominated or who enter for the Rising Star under 30 Award are sure to make waves and build a successful career in the years to come.
Entries for this category need to provide details of the person’s background and position they hold in the business. Provide examples of how the entrant’s work ethic has affected the business.
Do you know someone who deserves to win the Rising Star Under 30 Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!
Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.
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.
Masham based brewery, T&R Theakston has partnered with Newcastle’s Blackrose Pubs as the brewery seeks to broaden the appeal of cask beer to a new generation.
The partnership will make Theakston Best Bitter available in the group’s 27 cask-serving pubs.
Alongside supplying the group’s venues, the brewery has also provided training at its brewery on conditioning, tapping the casks, cellar maintenance and achieving the perfect pour.
Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:
“As a brewery we’re passionate about our product and about championing the wider cask market, so it’s fantastic to be working with Blackrose Pubs who appreciate the craftmanship that goes not just into creating the beer, but also ensuring it’s delivered in prime condition to customers.
“With almost two centuries of brewing expertise behind us, we know how important it is to pass on the skills of conditioning, tapping casks and cellar maintenance to the next generation of pub leaders. We’re very excited to see where our journey together takes us.”
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Harrogate legal firm, Raworths is to sponsor the Business Growth category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.
The Awards on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate will celebrate business excellence across the district with 10 prestigious awards.
The judging panel is made up of four of the most influential leaders in the area.
Simon Morris, Managing Partner at Raworths said:
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Business Growth category at the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023. This category offers businesses who have experienced unprecedented growth and expansion, in a challenging economic climate, a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate their achievements.
“Here at Raworths, we are extremely proud of our Harrogate roots, having been based in the town for more than 125 years, and we are excited to have this opportunity to champion the incredible business community we have in the district.”
Entries are open so if you have a positive business story to tell apply now.
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
A free Harrogate business networking event is to be held at Cold Bath Brewery this Sunday, December 4.
Normally the Harrogate Social meets on the first friday of every month. It’s a space where around 50 local business owners get together for a drink at a local independent bar and share news.
The Christmas event though is on a Sunday afternoon and this year the venue is Cold Bath Brewing on Kings Road.
The organisers, Liz Wild or Wild and Co Chartered Accountants and Martin Mann of Martin Mann- I.T. are asking participants to support the Harrogate Homeless Project.
For more information click here.
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Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors in Harrogate are to sponsor the Inclusivity Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.
The Inclusivity Award recognises a company that has demonstrated working practices with a proactive approach to inclusivity.
In total there are 10 Award categories for the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 which will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The main event sponsor is Knaresborough based financial advisers and consultants, Prosperis.
Andrew from Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors said:
“Harrogate has many legends….. Betty’s, Valley Gardens, The Blue’s Bar…. But, there is a new kid on the block, The Stray Ferret and we are proud to be working as a partner with them.
“The Stray Ferret has quickly become known as the place to find impartial, honest, local news, at Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors we are pleased to be partnering with the Stray Ferret, after all our clients want impartial honest advice on their property purchase”
The event promises to be great occasion which recognises best practice and business excellence.
If your business has a good story to tell enter now . Entries close on January 13.