Business of the Year 2026
Category criteria
- The Business of the Year category is open to businesses with an annual turnover of more than £5 million.
- Entrants should demonstrate outstanding success during their most recent full financial year.
- Success can be judged on metrics ranging from exceptional growth and increased trading profit through to the development of services, developing staff, products or new production techniques.
- The judges will welcome entries from businesses committed to corporate social responsibility.
Capula
Business of the Year entrant
Capula has been a leader in advanced system integration for decades, focusing on operational technology and digital transformation. It optimises energy efficiency, intelligent asset management and operational performance for asset and energy-intensive clients.
From its headquarters in Stone the business employs more than 450 people across multiple UK locations, operating within a highly technical and safety critical engineering environment.
It delivers critical technical solutions across automation control, panel build, cyber security, digitalisation and industrial operational technology programmes. This ensures the integrity, safety and security of complex solutions in the industrial landscape, addressing current and future challenges.
Capula has experienced a positive trend in sales turnover and profile development. It has seen consistent growth in its main sectors – energy and nuclear - but it is also expanding its presence in adjacent industries such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
A focus on digitalisation recently resulted in the development of its Smart Digital Operations service enhancing its service offerings, attracting new clients and increasing sales turnover. A commitment to low carbon and sustainable infrastructure, including hydrogen and offshore wind projects, has boosted its profile and client base. By forming strategic partnerships with key industry players it has expanded its reach and capabilities, contributing to overall growth.
As one of Staffordshire’s largest providers of degree level apprenticeships, apprentices remain at the heart of Capula’s ‘grow our own’ philosophy. In 2025 the business welcomed 19 new apprentices alongside eight existing employees progressing to higher level programmes. This brought Capula’s total apprentice community to 79, underlining the strength of its commitment to developing local talent and building a resilient, future-ready workforce in Staffordshire – ensuring the region remains at the forefront of innovation and engineering excellence.
In 2025 Capula received more than 900 apprenticeship applications, with candidates drawn by its reputation for industry leading training, broad technical exposure and strong local partnerships with Newcastle & Stafford College Group (NSCG), University of Staffordshire, JCB Academy and Birmingham City University. Apprentices take on real responsibilities from day one and progress through structured pathways that integrate academic study with hands on, high impact engineering work.
Four apprentices from Capula’s nuclear team graduated with First Class BEng (Hons) degrees in electrical and electronic engineering and junior engineer Caitlin Howells achieved a distinction level qualification and won NSCG’s Student of the Year.
Capula has entered the Business of the Year and Skills for the Future categories of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Aura Brand Solutions
Business of the Year entrant
One of Europe’s leading commercial graphics and visual communications companies, which has its headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, celebrated the highest-performing year for revenue and profit in 2025 in its near 100-year history.
Aura Brand Solutions, which was founded in 1927, has an installation centre at Tunstall Trade Park and a marketing, customer service and project implementation base at Festival Park in Etruria.
It has a team of 134 staff serving more than 400 clients around Europe, including a number of global brands.
The company’s revenue and profit have both grown considerably over the past few years.
A spokesman said: “Our focus has been to grow our main sectors and to maximise our commitment to exceptional service, the highest-quality printing, above-and-beyond sustainability solutions and industry-leading accreditations to prove ourselves as a business partner.
“We have focused on increasing our profit margin through investments in new technologies, streamlined production methods, reduced waste through technological advancements and reduced reliance on outsourced projects.
“One key area driving exceptional performance in 2025 was the number of tenders won."
Aura has a Charity Team that plans fundraising initiatives including raising £10,500 for Young Minds in 2025.
Aura Brand Solutions has entered the Business of the Year and Growth Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Ford Mainwaring
Business of the Year entrant
For more than 45 years Newcastle-under-Lyme based Ford Mainwaring has been a leading provider of building services, facilities management and mechanical engineering to public sector, high-security and educational establishments nationwide.
The business has grown by 49% since 2022 with an average year-on-year growth rate of around 14%.
The team of 62 employees includes more than 40 qualified gas, plumbing and electrical engineers supported by project managers, contract managers, finance, marketing, recruitment, compliance and administrative staff. Work can include anything from boiler breakdowns and water leaks to planned service and maintenance jobs.
Growth has been driven by strategic expansion within key sectors, including the prison and secure infrastructure markets. The business has diversified by expanding into commercial battery storage projects, strengthening its position within the evolving energy and infrastructure landscape.
Employee retention is strong at Ford Mainwaring with nearly half of the workforce achieving long-service status. It recently held its first Long Service Awards which will become an annual event. 11 employees who were recognised at the event started as engineering apprentices and are now highly skilled, fully qualified gas, plumbing or electrical engineers. One employee joined in an administrative role and has since progressed to Assistant Contract Manager. The Finance Manager celebrates 25 years with the business in July after starting in an administrative position and developing into her current leadership role.
Attracting, developing and retaining local talent is important to the company. In 2025 alone it invested £72,000 in employee training and development.
Developing the next generation of engineers is central to Ford Mainwaring’s long-term strategy. It currently employs five apprentices and is committed to recruiting at least two each year.
CSR is also embedded in the business’s culture. It is a proud member of the Dougie Mac Business Club and has raised more than £6,000 within six months through a variety of fundraisers. In addition, every employee is given one paid volunteering day per year, enabling the team to support community initiatives.
Ford Mainwaring has entered the Business of the Year, Growth and Skills for the Future categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Midlands Power Networks
Business of the Year entrant
Midlands Power Networks, founded by University of Staffordshire alumnus Steve Holmes, has grown its turnover by 47.5% in just 12 months.
The Stoke-on-Trent based business has expanded its team from 22 staff in 2020 to more than 50 employees in 2026 with plans to recruit more.
Steve launched Midlands Power Networks in 2004 to provide constant, consistent support within the high voltage electrical industry including design, consultancy, installation, inspection, maintenance and lifelong services.
Still privately owned, it works with businesses nationwide, from Glasgow to Southampton, and currently looks after 140 customers at 287 sites around the UK for maintenance services including the likes of football clubs and universities.
Many of its clients are long-term partners who have built relationships with Midlands Power Networks, Steve and the team over many years.
Services offered include the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of private high voltage networks including generation projects.
Alongside his core business Steve has founded Power SOS Ltd, through which he is developing a high voltage emergency response mobile app.
He’s collaborated with University of Staffordshire on the app’s development through a knowledge transfer partnership and is hoping to secure a second KTP in the second quarter of 2026.
Midlands Power Networks has entered the Business of the Year and Growth Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire
Business of the Year entrant
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire isn’t just home to more than 40 household brands it has positioned itself as a hub of the local community.
This includes the introduction of The Snug, a free warm space with comfortable seats and free books for people to read and return.
There is also a free soft play area open to families seven days a week.
The centre opened as Freeport Talke in 1999, later rebranding as Affinity. It was bought by the Frasers Group in 2024 and has since strengthened its commitment to community engagement, with a specific focus on supporting local people and organisations.
Affinity hosts community days with local authorities, supports local charities and delivers a programme of free events throughout the year. Most recently a K-Pop event attracted more than 7,000 visitors who enjoyed a free live show and a meet and greet experience.
Each Christmas there is a free Santa’s grotto and a meet-and-greet experience where Santa can communicate using Makaton.
Stores at Affinity Outlet Staffordshire include M&S Outlet, Nike Clearance Store, Next Outlet, Terraces and Skechers.
An Affinity Outlet Staffordshire spokesman said: “We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had and the support we’ve been able to offer, particularly during a time when many households are facing financial challenges.
“Our goal has always been simple, to ensure our centre is a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and part of the community.”
Affinity Outlet Staffordshire has entered the Business of the Year, Business in the Community and High Street Impact categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.