Growth Award 2026
Category criteria
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This category is designed to recognise growth within businesses of any size and sector.
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This could include relatively new businesses that have gone from a standing start right through to long-standing organisations that have been thriving over many years.
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The judges will be looking for growth in areas such as revenue, recruitment or indeed trading territories. Importantly this growth strategy should be sustainable and the business should have the momentum and resources for this to continue.
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The judges will also be interested to see the innovation that has helped to drive growth.
Astro Education
Growth Award entrant
Less than two years after it was set up as a one-man business Astro Education has expanded across two counties with a team of four staff and has ambitious plans to grow further.
The Stoke-on-Trent based business specialises in recruitment and retention for the education sector including connecting schools with high-quality teaching and support staff.
It works with primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and specialist SEN provisions across Staffordshire and Cheshire.
It provides both day-to-day supply staff and long-term placements covering a wide range of roles including qualified teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists, pastoral staff, cover supervisors and administrative professionals.
Founder Tim Howarth, who worked in the insurance industry before moving into recruitment, has added a former headteacher and teaching assistant into his team. They currently have a workforce of around 100 educational professionals.
Tim said: “From the outset, our mission has been to build a recruitment business that prioritises relationships, reliability and fairness. Schools rely heavily on agency support to maintain continuity for their pupils yet many report challenges around cost, inconsistent candidate quality and poor service from traditional recruitment providers.
“Astro Education was established specifically to address these issues. Our approach focuses on transparent pricing, high compliance standards and careful candidate matching to ensure that both schools and staff benefit from a supportive and professional recruitment experience.
“Although we are still a young business, our growth since launching has been significant. Within less than two years we have developed a strong and expanding client base across Staffordshire and have begun extending our reach into Cheshire.”
Wherever possible Tim tries to put back into the communities his business serves including sponsoring football kits for Excel Academy and sponsoring an early years practitioners event.
“I want people to want to work with us,” he said. "I’m creating a brand that is a transparent, responsive and ethical alternative that genuinely supports the education community.”
Astro Education has entered the Small Business of the Year, Start-up Business of the Year and Growth categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Tim Howarth has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Ford Mainwaring
Growth Award 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
Growth Award 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.
V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd
Growth Award entrant
A Staffordshire building and maintenance company is on track to more than double its turnover year on year.
V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd, based at Woodseaves near Eccleshall, was set up in 2022 by husband and wife team Maria and Adam Swierk.
Along with their team of one permanent member of staff and four contractors they work on the likes of extensions, garage conversions and full-house renovations as well as routine maintenance.
Clients across Staffordshire include private individuals as well as organisations with property portfolios.
Contracts director Maria has more than 16 years’ experience of working as a HR business partner for a large retail company, giving her an ideal background to tackle office-based work for the company as well as health and safety site visits.
Adam has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry and has a level seven diploma in construction and senior management.
Maria said: “V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd stands out through its unwavering commitment to quality, reliability and professionalism in every aspect of its work. We are not just a construction company, we are a trusted partner to our clients.
“Our reputation has been built on consistently delivering high standards, meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. We approach every project, whether large or small, with the same level of care, precision and accountability.
“Attention to detail is at the core of what we do, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to an exceptional standard.
“Health and safety is central to our operations. We maintain strict compliance with regulations and proactively promote safe working practices across all sites. This gives our customers confidence and peace of mind, knowing they are working with a responsible and professional contractor.
“What truly differentiates V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd is our personal approach. We pride ourselves on strong communication, transparency,and responsiveness. Our customers value that we are approachable, solution-focused and always willing to go the extra mile.
“We understand that no two clients are the same, which is why we tailor our services to meet individual needs rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.
“As a growing business we have demonstrated resilience, adaptability and a strong work ethic. We continuously look for ways to improve our processes, invest in best practices and strengthen relationships within our industry.
“Above all, our success is measured by customer satisfaction, repeat business and positive referrals. The trust our clients place in us reflects our dedication to excellence and our commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality service.”
V.S.S. Maintenance Ltd has entered the Growth Award and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.