A food and drink supplier emerged as the big winner at the inaugural in-Cumbria Business Awards last night as hundreds of business leaders from across the county gathered to celebrate Cumbria’s business prowess.

Richard Fletcher, managing director of Caterite Food and Wine Service (Caterite) scooped the headline Businessperson of the Year award at an upbeat ceremony, which took place at The Halston Aparthotel in Carlisle.

The Embleton-based company – which supplies fresh fruit, chilled and frozen foods, dry goods and cleaning products to the catering industry – also lifted the Best Customer Service Excellence award.

Meanwhile, Ian Stephens, former chief executive of Cumbria Tourism was recognised with the Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria award for his work in the tourism and leisure sector.

They celebrated in front of more than 240 business leaders who gathered for the biggest event in Cumbria’s business calendar, supported by Sellafield Limited, and hosted by Amol Rajan, the BBC’s media editor and TV regular who has recently had a stint on the sofa co-hosting the popular evening time magazine programme, the BBC One Show.

The Best Large Business award went to people strategy and the organisations development consultancy Impact International, while Best SME went to Traybakes.

Carlisle-headquartered accountants and business advisers Armstrong Watson picked up the Best Professional Services Company award, while Cumberland Building Society walked away the Best Marketing strategy gong.

Workington’s TSP Engineering Ltd picked up the Best Manufacturing award, PPM Ltd, which has bases in Workington, Carlisle and Penrith, walked away with the Best Community involvement award, while Trade Copiers of Penrith emerged victorious in the Best Exporter category.

Richard Fletcher, managing director of Caterite was delighted to have walked away with two awards.

Judges highlighted the key role played the 33-year-old had played in turning around the fortunes of the business, which had been under pressure from stagnant sales growth, increased costs and waning profit margins. Meanwhile, it was commended for the tailored and dedicated service provided to customers, regardless of their size or sector.

He said: “I’m really proud. There are 150 plus people who work as hard as I do and really it isn’t just about one person taking the limelight.”

He added that winning the award was the icing on the cake as his focus had been on winning the Customer Service Award.

“I’m just really keen for people to see that we’re doing a good job as a company,” he said.

“The industry we work is a no news is good news sort of industry – you only ever hear something if a customer has a problem. We work really hard for our customers to ensure they are happy.

“The other businesses in both the categories are really good businesses, so the fact that the judges have come to see us and been so impressed, really is fantastic recognition.”

Ian Stephens, who retired as chief executive of the county’s official tourism organisation, Cumbria Tourism, was recognised with the Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria award.

“I’m overwhelmed,” he said.

“It is a great privilege to be recognised by my peers in Cumbria and for tourism to be recognised as a serious economic contributor is great.

“I think it is all looking good for the future and tourism is going to play an even more important role and it is hopefully a springboard now for more investment, better marketing, better collaboration from all parties in the county to make Cumbria and The Lake District a real global entity.”

Mr Stephens said the award would be quickly written in to his CV, but admitted it was difficult to point to one achievement during his career. He spent 28 years working in the tourism and leisure sector, 14 of which at Cumbria Tourism, during which time his rose to become chief executive.

During this time, he led marketing campaigns, including Place to Be, Taste Cumbria, Adventure Capital and crisis management following Foot and Mouth and flooding.

“I’ve really enjoyed receiving awards on behalf of the organisation and the industry and we’ve received the for marketing, PR and even the Best Destination at the British Travel Awards,” he said.

“We are recognised as a leading destination and Cumbrians shouldn’t forget that, they should be immensely proud. We need to continue to continue to invest in this wonderful industry. It has got a lot of potential and it has been a great privilege working in it.”

Hundreds of companies and individuals threw their hat in to the ring to enter the awards, which for the first time, saw the judging process hit the road.

CN Group – publisher of in-Cumbria magazine and website, and owner of the in-Cumbria Business Awards – enlisted the support of 15 expert judges from a wide variety of industries to help pick the winners.

Luke Dicicco, Group Business Editor at CN Group, said the event had proved a huge success.

“Congratulations go to all of the winners, and of course the finalists. The competition this year was fierce, with hundreds of businesses throwing their hat in to the ring. Making the finals is a huge achievement in itself, for the winners it really is the icing on the cake.

“The stories behind the winners and finalists really are an inspiration, and it is clear that as a business community, we have so much to be proud of.

“The in-Cumbria Business Awards are a real opportunity to shout loud and proud about business in the county, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. The sheer diversity of the winners, and finalists, demonstrate why Cumbria is such as unique and special place to do business.

“Yes, we are in uncertain economic times, but the sheer determination and passion of Cumbrian businesses to not just succeed but excel, is evident in spades. A huge well done goes out to everyone involved, and a big thankyou to all of the sponsors, in particular Sellafield Ltd, for their support.”

The event also saw and early launch of the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2018.

“The champagne glasses are still being cleaned, but we’re not resting and already planning for next year’s event, which we hope will be even bigger and better,” added Mr Dicicco.

The full list of winners:

BEST EXPORTER sponsored by HSBC

Trade Copiers

BEST MARKETING sponsored by Carlisle Brass

Cumberland Building Society

BEST MANUFACTURING sponsored by KPMG

TSP Engineering Ltd

BEST INNOVATION sponsored by BAE Systems

Forth

BEST COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT sponsored by Wood

PPM Ltd

BEST NEW BUSINESS sponsored by Enterprise Answers

Taylor Made Pet Care

BEST APPRENTICE/ TRAINEE sponsored by Bendalls Engineering

Danyelle Haines, GSK

BEST TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY sponsored by Cumberland Building Society

Appleby Manor Hotel and Garden Spa

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE sponsored by Avanti Gas Ltd

Caterite Food and Wine Service Ltd

BEST FAMILY BUSINESS sponsored by Armstrong Watson

Roland Hill Limited

BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY sponsored by WYG

Armstrong Watson

BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE sponsored by University of Cumbria

Inspira

BEST SME sponsored by Green Energy Consulting

Traybakes Ltd

BEST LARGE BUSINESS sponsored by Lamont Pridmore

Impact

BEST BUSINESS PERSON sponsored by Capita

Richard Fletcher, Caterite Food and Wine Service

LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION TO CUMBRIA sponsored by Sellafield Ltd

Ian Stephens