Team of the Year 2026
Category criteria
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This category is open to teams of employees working within any sector and within any size of business.
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The team could form a department with a business or, within smaller organisations, perhaps the entire workforce could be classed as the team.
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The team will have proven success in encouraging one another’s strengths and leveraging these to achieve results.
Longton Exchange Shopping Centre
Team of the Year entrant
Since the appointment of Centre Manager Chris Ward in 2022 Longton Exchange Shopping Centre has delivered a 38.7% increase in footfall, representing a clear and sustained turnaround in performance.
The centre now welcomes more than 2 million visitors annually, demonstrating both the scale of growth achieved and the strength of its ongoing trajectory.
This transformation has been driven through a collaborative, hands-on management approach, led by Chris Ward and supported by a proactive on-site team, including Roz Ryan, the tenant, community engagement and marketing manager.
The team has implemented a strategy that combines commercial focus with community engagement, ensuring the centre evolves in line with the needs of both businesses and visitors.
Operating within a challenging high street environment, Longton Exchange recognised the need to fundamentally reposition its offer. Rather than relying solely on traditional retail, the team introduced a model that integrates retail, events and community-led activity to drive consistent engagement and repeat visitation.
At the core of this strategy is a structured programme of free, high-frequency events, designed to remove barriers to entry, increase accessibility and significantly widen the centre’s audience. Regular initiatives such as Fun Fridays and seasonal activations have created a consistent flow of visitors, transforming Longton Exchange into a destination where people actively choose to spend time. This activity is commercially driven, increasing dwell time, supporting tenant visibility and contributing directly to improved trading conditions.
A defining feature of this growth has been the centre’s commitment to supporting independent businesses. Longton Exchange is proud to host a strong mix of independents whose individuality enhances the centre’s identity and appeal. Increased footfall and consistent activity have provided these businesses with greater opportunity, while their presence contributes to a more distinctive and resilient retail environment. This reciprocal relationship between the centre and its tenants has been central to sustaining growth.
Growth has not been achieved by a single function, but through coordinated effort across centre management, security, tenants, volunteers and partners. This shared responsibility has created a culture of accountability, adaptability and consistent delivery, ensuring that activity is both impactful and sustainable.
Community engagement is embedded as a core driver of growth rather than an additional feature. The centre delivers a consistent programme of free and accessible initiatives that reflect local need while increasing footfall and engagement. Initiatives such as afternoon food distribution, developed internally by the team, have brought new audiences into the centre, strengthened trust and contributed to increased repeat visits.
The security team plays a key role in creating a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. This directly contributes to visitor confidence, increased dwell time and overall customer experience.
Strong tenant engagement has further reinforced growth. Through active communication and collaboration, tenants are encouraged to participate in centre-wide initiatives, creating a more cohesive and confident trading environment. This has supported improved relationships, increased participation and a shared investment in the centre’s success.
Recognising a lack of accessible tourism information, Longton Exchange has opened its management office as a tourist information point in partnership with Visit Staffordshire. This supports increased visitor engagement, promotes the wider area and strengthens the centre’s role as a destination within the city.
As a result of this joined-up approach, Longton Exchange has achieved measurable and sustainable growth. Increased footfall, a visitor base exceeding two million annually, stronger tenant relationships and improved perception have repositioned the centre as an active, relevant and growing part of the high street.
Longton Exchange Shopping Centre has entered the Growth and Team of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
The Beaconside Group
Team of the Year nominee
The Beaconside Group in Stafford is a thriving hub of business, enterprise and community activity, defying industry trends to create a unique and expanding offer.
The 45-acre site is home to more than 50 businesses across a range of sectors, some employing more than 50 staff.
Alongside the business village there is a conference and events division and a sports and fitness centre, making Beaconside an integral part of the local economy.
Over the last 12 months the business has continued to deliver significant growth, achieving a revenue increase of 17.8% while managing a unique and complex commercial site. This success has been driven by a small but highly committed team whose dedication, collaboration and customer-first approach underpin everything they do.
The Beaconside Group’s staff have been nominated in the Team of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards by Ben Dyer of The Inspirational Learning Group. Ben’s own business is based at Beaconside and he is also a consultant for the group.
Ben said: “What makes this team stand out is their ability to deliver large-scale operational excellence with a relatively small workforce. From supporting long-standing business tenants and attracting new occupiers, to delivering conferences, corporate events, community bookings and sports centre operations, every part of the customer journey relies on the team working seamlessly together.
“The team is hands-on, proactive and genuinely invested in the success of the businesses and organisations based on site. They are often the first point of contact and the reason customers stay. Whether solving issues quickly, supporting last-minute event requirements, helping tenants grow within the business village or ensuring the venue is presented to the highest possible standard, they consistently go above and beyond.
“Their collaborative culture has been central to maintaining high occupancy levels, growing event revenues and strengthening The Beaconside Group’s reputation as a trusted business hub in Staffordshire.
“They have successfully transformed a former university site into a thriving commercial ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, employment and regional economic growth.”
He added: “They are not simply a team managing buildings they are a team creating opportunity, supporting businesses and helping shape the future of Staffordshire enterprise.
“For their outstanding performance, continued growth and unwavering commitment to customer excellence, The Beaconside Group is a highly deserving winner of Team of the Year.”
The Inspirational Learning Group
Team of the Year entrant
Founded by University of Staffordshire alumni, The Inspirational Learning Group has become one of the UK’s leading careers, enterprise and employability education providers.
From its base in Stafford it works with schools, colleges, employers and international partners to create meaningful opportunities for young people.
With projected turnover now exceeding £1.5 million and strong recurring revenues across education and corporate partnerships, the business has continued to grow despite challenging economic conditions and increasing pressure across the education sector.
Stoke-on-Trent born cousins Ben and Michael Dyer founded the business in 2013 while they were both still studying at University of Staffordshire.
From humble beginnings, working from a rented office on the University of Staffordshire campus, TILG has become a market-leader in the careers education sector, with its flagship The National Careers Challenge now the largest school enterprise competition in the UK.
The team supports thousands of students, teachers and employers each year through initiatives such as The National Careers Challenge, which has now reached more than 750,000 young people across the UK and internationally.
Ben said: “The team’s ability to deliver at this scale while maintaining quality, energy and strong customer relationships is what makes them exceptional. They work across live events, national finals, in-school delivery, digital platform management and employer partnerships, often balancing multiple major projects at once. Their commitment to customer service, innovation and educational impact consistently goes beyond expectation.
“Entrepreneurship sits at the centre of TILG’s story. Founded with a vision to transform careers education and bridge the gap between education and employment, the business has grown from a start-up into a nationally recognised organisation working with some of the biggest employers in the UK, including NatWest, British Airways, Air Products, Wickes, GE Vernova and AtkinsRéalis.
“This entrepreneurial journey has required resilience, risk-taking and constant innovation. From building The National Careers Challenge into the UK’s largest enterprise competition, to launching the Lightbulb platform and leading new work around Equalex and Modern Work Experience, TILG has consistently stayed ahead of policy change and market demand rather than reacting to it.
“The business is now helping shape how schools and employers approach the Government’s 10-day work experience guarantee, positioning itself as a true market leader in this space.”
He added: “Most importantly, TILG creates genuine change. It helps young people build confidence, develop employability skills and connect with real employers and real opportunities. It supports schools in delivering meaningful careers education at scale and helps employers engage with future talent in a way that creates measurable social value.
“What makes TILG stand out is the combination of exceptional teamwork, entrepreneurial leadership, commercial resilience and long-term purpose. It is not simply a successful business it is a business making a meaningful difference.”
The Inspirational Learning Group has entered the Team of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Ben and Michael Dyer have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year, Alumni Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories.
Little Stars Childcare
Team of the Year entrant
Launched in 2011 as a childminding service, Little Stars Childcare has grown into a thriving business with three private nurseries and a wrap-around childcare service.
The Staffordshire Moorlands business, founded by Laura Hanson, now has 36 staff across the group and cares for around 130 children.
It includes a private nursery in Cheddleton and two private nurseries in Leek plus an after school childcare service.
Developments over the past year include collaboration with another local business to launch a support group for SEN children and parents providing guidance, reassurance and community connection.
Nursery manager Caitlin Taaffe said: “Our commitment to inclusion is central to everything we do. The support group reflects our belief that childcare providers should not only educate children but also empower families.
“Staff have undertaken additional training to better understand diverse learning needs, adapt environments and implement inclusive teaching approaches. These efforts ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive in a nurturing and supportive setting.”
The business has increased its focus on community engagement and social responsibility, including competing as a team in charity events.
Caitlin Taaffe has nominated Little Stars Childcare’s staff in the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
She said: “The Little Stars Childcare team exemplifies what Team of the Year represents: dedication, resilience, compassion and a commitment to excellence.
“From our beginnings in childminding to the successful operation of three nurseries, from charitable fundraising to meaningful SEN support initiatives, our team has consistently gone above and beyond for children, families and the community.
“We are proud of what we have achieved together and excited about the positive impact we will continue to make in the future.
“We believe our journey, achievements and unwavering commitment to high-quality childcare make us strong contenders for this award and we would be honoured to be recognised as Team of the Year.”
The Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire
Team of the Year entrant
The Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire has been ranked number one for staff service across all hotels in its chain in the UK and 21st across the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
It also ranks number one in the UK for cleanliness (ninth across Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and achieved the highest Intent to Recommend score of all Courtyard by Marriott hotels in the UK placing it amongst the chain’s top performing hotels internationally.
Hotel Operations Manager Ryan Clackstone has nominated the entire Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire staff in the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
He said: “Colleagues actively encourage one another, celebrate success and support each other during challenging times. This strong sense of unity has been essential in maintaining resilience, motivation and wellbeing in a demanding industry and directly contributes to the positive energy experienced by guests.
“Beyond the hotel, the team proudly represents Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire and the wider Staffordshire area. Through consistently high standards of service, strong local partnerships and warm engagement with visitors, the team enhances the region’s reputation as a welcoming destination for business, education and leisure.
“The Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire team has clearly demonstrated proven success in encouraging one another’s strengths and leveraging them to achieve exceptional results.
“Their industry-leading performance in staff service, cleanliness and guest loyalty, combined with a strong, inclusive team culture, makes them an outstanding and highly deserving winner of Team of the Year at University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2026.”
The 150-bedroom four star hotel opened in February 2021. It has a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, two meeting rooms and a fitness suite.
Alice Charity
Team of the Year entrant
Alice Charity is a beacon of compassion, dignity and hope in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme - a community rooted organisation driven by the belief that every child deserves safety, joy and opportunity.
Its mission is shaped by profound need within Stoke on Trent which is officially one of the most deprived local authorities in England, ranked 13th out of 317.
In 2025 Alice Charity supported 9,874 children, provided 11,880 meals and welcomed 3,479 parents and toddlers to its Big Cup groups.
90% of Alice Charity’s service users report an improvement in their home conditions, reduced isolation or improvement in physical health. 95% of service users report an improvement in parenting skills, self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. 100% report am improvement in positive family interactions.
The charity’s team of 14 employees delivers care with skill, compassion and unwavering commitment. They are supported by 21 volunteers, who last year contributed 4,734 hours of their time.
Heather Sheldon, CEO of Alice Charity, said: “Alice Charity listens deeply to the children and families it serves. It adapts, evolves and innovates in ways that meet people where they are - whether that means offering evening support, expanding volunteer pathways, improving safeguarding approaches or strengthening early intervention.
“With transparent governance, strong ethical values and a culture built on dignity, kindness and respect, Alice Charity is more than a service provider - we are a lifeline.
“We keep families together, strengthen our community, lift children out of crisis, and build a brighter, safer, more hopeful future for every child.”
Alice Charity has entered the Team of the Year and Business in the Community (charity) categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Hockerhill Playbarn
Team of the Year nominee
A farm diversification business was launched less than two years ago but is already award-winning and employing 26 members of staff.
Chillington Playbarn Ltd, operating as Hockerhill Playbarn in Brewood, opened for business in March 2024 and has just won a national award for Best Food and Beverage at the NFAN Awards 2026.
It was launched by farmers Tessa and Charlie Giffard, of the Chillington Hall Estate, who quickly brought on board a head chef and a general manager, Sophie Galantini, who is University of Staffordshire alumna.
The all-weather indoor and outdoor attraction has a large, themed play area with a central great oak structure, a café, pedal go-karts, ziplines and a sensory den.
The business set out to include the surrounding villages as much as possible, with a loyalty scheme for local residents.
Local villagers have got behind the project and research has shown that 46% of visitors are returning customers, highlighting the positive impact it is having on the local community.
The team pride themselves in supporting local events, schools and charities by offering vouchers and family visits. Hockerhill ensures that all children regardless of their background or ability can have access to a fun and safe environment. Monthly SEN sessions have proved popular and they have made the space as wheelchair friendly as possible.
Chillington Playbarn Ltd has been nominated in the Start-up Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by General Manager Sophie Galantini.
She said: “Hockerhill is committed to excellence in everything they do. From the design of their facilities to customer service, they put their heart and soul into ensuring a top-quality experience for every visitor. These values reflect Hockerhill’s desire to create a positive and lasting impact on families, communities and the development of children.
“Through their commitment to the local community, they listen to customer feedback and strive to increase customer demands and expectations. With the increase in revenue, they hope to expand the site to be able to offer more in the coming months and years.
“This family run business will hopefully continue for generations to come, with the Giffards’ own children often popping in to say hello to the staff or help with washing up, hopefully instilling a good work ethic and passion for their family business.”
CabAbility
Team of the Year entrant
Ahbid Choudry set up a specialist taxi firm for people with disabilities to stop them suffering from the embarrassment he says he faced growing up.
The Shelton-based businessman has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a wheelchair himself.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Ahbid couldn’t do the things his friends and peers were doing socially because he couldn’t get a taxi to transport him in his wheelchair. There were evenings out at nightclubs like The Place and Valentinos where he simply couldn’t get home.
It was this experience and his dogged determination to make a difference to those in the same boat as himself that led to the creation of CabAbility in 2016.
Starting with just two jobs in the first year of trading the company has grown considerably. Over the past decade it has become a trusted, inclusive transport service employing around 50 staff and serving a wide range of customers who rely on accessible, reliable travel.
Ahbid, who comes from a family of taxi owners, said: “From the beginning the aim was not only to provide wheelchair-accessible taxi services, but to build a company that actively represented and empowered disabled people. That mission remains central today.
“Being a disability proud employer is not a label we use lightly; it reflects a genuine commitment to creating a workplace where disabled employees are valued, supported and given equal opportunity to progress. This includes ensuring that recruitment processes are accessible, that reasonable adjustments are readily available and that staff are supported in ways that allow them to perform at their best without unnecessary barriers.
“The culture of the company is shaped by the belief that lived experience matters. Many of our team members either have personal experience of disability or have worked closely within the accessible transport sector for years. This creates a workforce that understands the importance of dignity, patience and respect when supporting passengers.
“For many customers, especially wheelchair users and individuals with additional mobility needs, transport is not simply about getting from one place to another - it is about independence, confidence and inclusion in everyday life. Our team understands that responsibility deeply.”
All of the company’s drivers are trained in how to strap different wheelchairs in safely and correctly which is essential when some wheelchairs can be as heavy as twenty stone. Drivers also have British Sign Language, autism and seizure training.
Ahbid left school before taking any qualifications and started selling windows before working in sales for Vodafone. He credits this sales background and his own personal experience as the reasons for the company’s success.
CabAbility has entered the Small Business of the Year, Team of the Year and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Ahbid Choudry has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
SprayStyle Body Masters Ltd
Team of the Year entrant
From humble beginnings shaped by adversity and resilience, SprayStyle Body Masters Ltd has grown into one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most respected independent automotive repair specialists.
At the age of just 18, Peter Dubb founded SprayStyle with his brothers Billy and Kulbir. The Shelton-based business was built on the determination of a family forced to rebuild their lives after fleeing Uganda during Idi Amin’s regime in the 1970s. The Dubb family were among thousands forced to leave the country, abandoning a successful business, family home, cars and all the possessions they could not carry as they fled for their lives with their seven children.
Arriving in the UK via a refugee camp with little more than hope and determination, the family settled in Stoke-on-Trent and began laying the foundations for a new future.
More than four decades later, SprayStyle Body Masters Ltd stands as a testament to that perseverance, evolving from a small repair operation into a trusted name renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail and outstanding customer service.
Today, the family-run company employs a team of 12 and has earned a loyal customer base across the region by focusing on quality over quantity. Specialising in prestige vehicle repairs, SprayStyle has built its reputation not only on technical excellence but also on its personal approach to customer care.
General manager Ravi Panesar-Dubb, who now helps lead the business alongside other family members, says the company’s ethos has always centred around relationships and trust.
“We treat every customer like an individual, not just a number,” he said. “People come to us because they know we genuinely care about both them and their vehicles. Many customers become lifelong friends.”
The company’s family values remain at the heart of its success. Generations of hard work, sacrifice and dedication have helped create a workplace culture where employees, customers and suppliers are all valued as part of the wider SprayStyle family.
Despite operating in a highly competitive sector, SprayStyle continues to thrive by maintaining the highest standards and investing in long-term sustainable growth. The business now has ambitious plans to expand its regional presence, create additional employment opportunities and continue developing the next generation of skilled automotive professionals.
More than 45 years after the family first arrived in Stoke-on-Trent seeking safety and opportunity, SprayStyle Body Masters Ltd has become a powerful local success story — one built on resilience, craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
SprayStyle Body Masters Ltd has entered the Team of the Year and Small Business of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Inc Architects
Team of the Year entrant
Inc Architects was formed in 2025 through the merger of two established Stoke-on-Trent practices, Mode Architects and Byatt Oliver.
Bringing two teams together could have been complex but instead it became the foundation for a collaborative practice built on shared values, mutual respect and a clear sense of purpose.
The new practice combines the creativity and values of Kim Mountford, who has been working in the industry for 14 years and ran Mode Architects for eight years, and the commercial knowledge of David Byatt, who has 25 years of experience and founded Byatt Oliver in 2013.
The merger saw all seven existing staff retained, with a strong focus on how the team wanted to work together going forward.
The name ‘Inc’ was chosen to reflect a commitment to inclusivity and collaboration – both internally and with clients – and making meaningful change through design.
The practice, based on Piccadilly in Hanley, has intentionally applied that commitment to how they work together as well as to how they support their clients.
Rather than growing first and defining their values later, they put the foundations in place to create a supportive environment for their team and deliver excellent results for clients.
There are plans to recruit further this year, adding like-minded colleagues without compromising the culture.
Director David Byatt said: “What sets this practice apart is its strong foundation of trust and integrity, combined with a genuine desire to continually improve and push the quality of every project. There’s a clear sense of ownership in the way the team works, and each project is treated as if it were our own personal project.
“We value honest conversations, shared problem-solving and working proactively with clients, consultants and each other.”
Architectural assistant Rahat Abid said: “The openness within the office is great. All ideas are shared and collaboration helps work through any problems that occur. If there are obstacles that I feel I can’t manage, I know there’s support when needed.
“I’m forever grateful for the colleagues I have – they make working at Inc even more enjoyable.”
Director Kim Mountford, who is also a part-time lecturer in University of Staffordshire’s School of Architecture, added: “When we were considering a merger, we realised that our ethos, approach and goals were so closely aligned that we could achieve more together.
“We kept everything that made our individual practices successful, including our staff and our culture, but we added even more strength and depth through simple systems to support staff – not death by admin but to retain creativity.
“We have made it a priority to get to know the team personally as well as professionally, recognising individual motivations and preferred ways of working and learning.
“As a team we want to do good things. The desire to change things for the better is threaded through everything we do.”
In less than a year, Inc Architects has successfully integrated two established practices, retained and developed its team, implemented new systems and created a shared culture rooted in trust, accountability and ambition.
The result is a resilient, collaborative practice that is delivering strong outcomes for clients and building a workplace where people want to stay and grow.
Inc Architects has entered the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
ATG INSPIRE Stoke
Team of the Year entrant
ATG INSPIRE Stoke is a small but impactful team of three delivering large-scale, high-quality creative engagement opportunities across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
The team, which includes Josh, Emma and Phebe, reached 5,841 participants between April 2025 and March 2026. They have created meaningful, accessible opportunities for people of all ages to engage with arts and culture, ensuring that creativity remains at the heart of the local community.
The team run the Regent Theatre Academy, a weekly programme supporting six to 18 year olds to develop confidence, performance skills and friendships in a safe and professional theatre environment.
Across 61 sessions during 2025 to 2026 the Academy engaged 138 young people through acting, singing and dance training.
The team has further expanded opportunities through specialist half-term workshops and adult masterclasses for people aged over 18, addressing a clear gap in creative opportunities for adults within Stoke-on-Trent.
A major achievement for the team this year was the production of 026 Dance: Rewind, celebrating the Regent Theatre’s 25th annual dance festival. The festival brought together more than 1,200 performers aged three to 89 years from across Staffordshire and beyond, celebrating community, creativity and the history of the event. With an audience of more than 3,100 attendees, the festival reinforced the Regent Theatre’s role as a vital cultural hub and provided one of the region’s largest platforms for community dance performance.
A standout achievement was the delivery of Speak Up, a national secondary school co-creation programme run in partnership with the National Theatre as part of the Theatre Nations Partnership. From 2023-2025, ATG INSPIRE Stoke engaged 4,841 Key Stage 3 participants across five schools. The programme connected young people with 14 specialist artists, five local practitioners and eight teachers, giving students access to an extraordinary range of artforms. Outcomes included students launching socially driven clothing brands and designing hoodies exploring issues such as modesty wear for Muslim girls, tackling toxic masculinity in football and youth voting rights. They also collaborated with a music artist to write and produce an original rap song and music video examining the impact of the cost of living crisis on teenagers and worked with an animation artist and creative writer to create a stop-motion animation inspired by their self-written poem, A Recipe for a Better World.
The project culminated in a celebration event at Alton Towers Resort in July 2025, bringing together 107 young people, teachers, artists and guests from ATG Entertainment and the National Theatre. The event, themed The Thrill of the Arts, celebrated the creativity and voices of young people in Stoke-on-Trent through co-created artwork. One teacher described Speak Up as “a wonderful opportunity to immerse our students in the thrill of the arts, beyond the confines of the curriculum,” adding that young people experienced “strands of the arts which they had never encountered before,” while developing transferable skills including “time management, teamwork, empathy, self-care and more.”
ATG Inspire Stoke has entered the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Brookeswood Joinery
Team of the Year entry
A Staffordshire Moorlands company that is forecast to turn over £1.25 million for the first time this year credits its success and longevity to the strength of its 22-person team.
Family-run Brookeswood Joinery, based in Leek, started out making wooden ashes caskets and general joinery. It now specialises in designing and manufacturing handcrafted timber windows, doors and staircases for clients across the UK. The business celebrates its twelfth birthday this year.
The company which is run by a father, mother and son team has expanded over the years and now employs a growing team which has increased from 12 people in 2020. They have recently recruited two apprentices with plans to recruit further staff in the future.
Brookeswood’s handcrafted products are designed and manufactured by their team of skilled joiners on site at their manufacturing headquarters at Fould Farm. Over the last 12 months they’ve completed more than 75 bespoke projects with plans to increase that over the coming year.
Bradley Brookes, Head of Sales, Projects and Marketing, said: “Brookeswood’s success and longevity is down to the hard work of the talented team we have here and the sheer quality of our handcrafted products.
“We really wouldn’t be where we are now without our team’s input, skills and support that they not only give to each other but to Brookeswood itself and our company’s success. We pride ourselves on having an open and honest culture here, so that every single member of the team has a part to play in shaping the company going forward.
“The feedback we get from our customers about our team is fantastic and makes everything we do at Brookeswood worthwhile.”
Sue Brookes, a fellow Director of the business, said: “We’ve come a long way since the beginning when my husband Neil was making bespoke caskets and general joinery. Now we are a team of 22, creating our handcrafted products across the Midlands with a fantastic, skilled, hardworking team.”
Brookeswood Joinery has entered the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Abbey House Dental
Team of the Year nomination
The owners of a chain of Staffordshire dental practices have nominated their entire team of more than 130 employees for the University of Staffordshire Business Awards in recognition of the role they play in the success of the business.
Amit and Mumta Jilka own and Abbey House Dental, a multi-award-winning five site group of practices which carry out family, aesthetic and cosmetic, Invisalign, straightening and restorative dentistry.
The dental practices are based across Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Stone and Rugeley, with the Rugeley practice acquired in 2025.
Mumta Jilka said: “We are a team that has scaled together without losing sight of our core focus, patient care. Growth at Abbey House is set from the top and executed by everyone.
“The team is structured so complementary strengths hand off to one another across the patient journey, with no single role delivering the result alone.
“The call centre answers enquiries in under one minute on average and a structured triage process matches each patient to the best-suited clinician. Treatment coordinators bridge clinical and non-clinical care as a consistent point of contact through treatment, finance and aftercare.
“Clinicians adapt their approach to each patient and front-of-house create a calm, welcoming, non-clinical environment. Leadership sets the framework and every team member’s strengths fill it.”
Abbey House Dental has welcomed 11,000 new patients over the past three years including more than 8,000 through word-of-mouth referrals. The business has grown from a single practice to five.
Mumta added: “Loyalty is a defining feature of the team. Many members have been with Abbey House Dental for years and several who left to pursue other career avenues have chosen to return. Long service is recognised each year including long-service certificates presented at staff occasions.
“Retention is notoriously difficult in dentistry, which makes that loyalty matter. It keeps hard-won experience, relationships and standards inside the team rather than constantly being rebuilt.
“Every role carries equal weight, from the first phone call to the final review, as no one delivers the result alone. It is the whole team, together, that has raised Abbey House Dental’s standards and grown a single practice into a five-site group, with every intention of growing further.”
The Abbey House Dental team has been nominated in the Team of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Wavemaker Stoke CIC
Team of the Year entrant
Wavemaker Stoke CIC was set up to bridge the digital divide and ensure that people across Stoke-on-Trent are not left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Since 2015 it has worked at the intersection of community, technology, education and social impact, helping residents gain the digital access, confidence and skills they need for everyday life, employment, health, wellbeing and future opportunity.
The CIC was set up by co-founders and directors Alex Rowley, who was born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent, and University of Staffordshire alumni Ben McManus.
Over the last two years, through the UKSPF-funded DigitAll programme, Wavemaker has delivered a city-wide digital inclusion model across Stoke-on-Trent, designed to reach people who are often furthest from opportunity.
This has included economically inactive residents, job seekers, older adults, people experiencing social isolation, families, school pupils, community volunteers and those facing barriers linked to poverty, confidence, health, disability or lack of access to technology.
Wavemaker has built a strong local delivery ecosystem, working with 45 partner organisations and establishing 20 hyper-local digital hubs across community settings such as foodbanks, family hubs, employment centres and trusted local venues.
These hubs bring support into the places people already know and trust, rather than expecting residents to find their way into formal training environments. This approach has helped create a welcoming, accessible and community-led model of support.
In the last two years Wavemaker has distributed 571 laptops to economically inactive residents, delivered 408 face-to-face digital skills sessions and trained 2,298 adults. Each laptop, session and learner represents someone gaining the ability to apply for work, manage appointments, access services, stay connected, learn new skills or take greater control of their life.
Wavemaker CIC has entered the Skills for the Future, Team of the Year, Innovation, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Beeston Shenton Solicitors
Team of the Year entrant
Approaching 22 years in business, Beeston Shenton Solicitors has established itself as a trusted independent legal practice by combining strong commercial performance with exceptional client service, operational discipline and investment in people.
Operating within a sector often perceived as complex, expensive and impersonal, the firm has intentionally positioned itself differently. Its approach is centred around simplifying legal services, improving transparency and delivering clear, accessible communication that places the client experience at the centre of every interaction.
This strategy has enabled the business to achieve sustained growth while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and client loyalty.
Today the Newcastle-under-Lyme based firm supports more than 1,600 active clients and more than 50% of all new work is generated through repeat business and referrals, demonstrating the strength of the firm’s reputation, service quality and trusted relationships within the local community and wider region.
Over the past three financial years, Beeston Shenton has delivered consistent year-on-year growth alongside consecutive annual profit margin growth of 10%. This has been achieved through careful operational management and strategic development rather than aggressive expansion.
Since taking over as Managing Director during COVID, Russell Dutton has steered the firm through significant operational and commercial challenges, making difficult but necessary decisions around structure and business priorities that have strengthened long-term resilience and profitability while maintaining first-class client service.
Expansion into specialist legal services including contested probate, litigation, trusts of land and commercial property has enabled the firm to increase average case value while maintaining a reliable foundation of core private client work. This approach has strengthened profitability, reduced commercial risk and positioned the business for continued long-term growth.
The business has also demonstrated strong commercial discipline through targeted operational restructuring, reduction of inefficiencies and strategic recruitment into key departments such as litigation and conveyancing. These improvements have streamlined operations, improved profitability and allowed the business to continue investing in high-growth specialist services without compromising service delivery.
Beeston Shenton Solicitors has entered the Small Business of the Year, Growth and Team of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Turnaround Print Services
Team of the Year entrant
Little more than a year after its launch Staffordshire-based Turnaround Print Services has exceeded its projected turnover, attracted nearly 300 customers and recruited a team of four staff.
The print and branding company was created from scratch in March 2025 with no inherited customer base or guaranteed revenue streams.
It offers services including signage, promotional products, vehicle graphics, workwear, websites and print. It has already been awarded SME Best Express Printer – West Midlands 2026.
Managing Director Derrith Turner said: “Since launch we have focused on building meaningful customer relationships, delivering exceptional service and creating long-term partnerships rather than simply processing orders.
“This customer-first approach has enabled us to establish a strong reputation in a highly competitive market and achieve significant growth within our first year of trading.
“A major strength of our model is our ability to become embedded within our customers' businesses. By supporting them throughout their growth journey, we generate long-term relationships that lead to repeat orders, referrals and sustainable revenue growth.
“The success of this approach is reflected in the fact that we have successfully acquired 296 customers within our first year of trading, entirely through networking, referrals and relationship development.
“Our success has been driven by a genuine commitment to helping customers succeed, building lasting relationships and delivering exceptional service. Combined with our environmental initiatives, community-focused values and ambitious growth plans, we believe Turnaround Print Services Ltd represents an outstanding example of a successful new business with a bright and sustainable future.
“We are proud of what we have achieved in such a short space of time and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Turnaround Print Services has entered the Start-up Business of the Year, Growth, Team of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Myers & Co Solicitors
Team of the Year entrant
Myers and Co Solicitors was established in 2005 when Stephen Myers bought the Stoke-on-Trent practice from Heatons Solicitors.
Still proudly based in Burslem in Stoke-on-Trent, Myers and Co has a team of 53 staff working across departments including residential conveyancing, litigation, commercial property, corporate and business services.
In 2022 Myers and Co became part of The MAPD Group ahead of the retirement Stephen and Helen Myers in December 2023. Long-standing Head of Dispute Resolution Tim Newsome was appointed as the firm’s new Managing Director to carry Myers and Co forward.
He said: “At Myers & Co Solicitors, success is driven by the collective strength of our people. While the firm is structured into clearly defined departments, its defining strength lies in how those teams work together by sharing knowledge, supporting one another and leveraging individual strengths to achieve consistent, high quality outcomes for clients and the organisation as a whole.
“This balance between departmental expertise and firm wide collaboration has enabled Myers & Co to manage sustained increases in workload, maintain high service standards and retain and develop its people during a period of significant change across the legal sector.
“The wider team culture encourages open communication and mutual support, allowing teams to work together when workloads fluctuate or pressures increase. This approach ensures continuity of service, protects staff wellbeing and reinforces a shared sense of purpose.
“When a department experiences increased demand, such as spikes in conveyancing volumes or time sensitive litigation matters, other teams provide operational or administrative support where appropriate. This flexibility minimises bottlenecks, maintains turnaround times and ensures client service remains consistent regardless of external pressures.
“Each departmental team is built around the strengths of its members. Work is allocated deliberately so that individuals can focus on areas where they add the greatest value, whether that is client communication, technical legal work, supervision or operational coordination.
“This approach allows junior staff to develop confidence and capability while benefitting from the knowledge and experience of senior colleagues. It also ensures that more experienced team members are able to concentrate on complex matters, mentorship and quality assurance, rather than being overstretched operationally.
“By playing to individual strengths while fostering collaboration, Myers & Co has created a working environment where people feel supported, respected and motivated to perform at their best.”
Myers & Co Solicitors has entered the Team of the Year, Growth and Skills for the Future categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Currie Young
Team of the Year entrant
Currie Young Insolvency & Restructuring is redefining what innovation looks like within a traditionally conservative professional services sector, helped by a collaboration with University of Staffordshire.
The business has offices in Manchester, Lichfield and Halesowen alongside its head office in Campbell Road, Stoke.
Operating within the advisory, restructuring and business support environment, it recognised early that the profession was facing increasing operational pressures. Rising regulatory demands, growing client expectations, recruitment challenges and significant administrative burden were placing strain on traditional operating models, many of which still relied heavily on manual processes and legacy systems.
At the same time, businesses increasingly expected professional advisors to be more responsive, commercially agile and technologically capable, without losing the reassurance and expertise that come from experienced human advisors.
Rather than viewing innovation as a standalone technology exercise, Currie Young approached it as a long-term business strategy focused on modernising service delivery, improving operational efficiency, scalability and future-proofing the business for sustainable growth.
Central to this journey has been a collaborative relationship with University of Staffordshire through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, enabling the business to combine industry expertise with academic research, digital capability and innovation-led thinking in a way that remains relatively uncommon within the wider professional services sector.
Currie Young wanted to address the genuine operational challenge of highly skilled professionals spending disproportionate amounts of time on repetitive administration, duplicated data entry and fragmented information gathering, reducing efficiency and the time available for strategic advisory work and client relationships.
Through analysing internal workflows and operational bottlenecks, it identified onboarding and information capture as one of the most resource-intensive stages within the client engagement process. Historically, the collection, organisation and processing of information had remained largely manual despite growing demands for speed, accuracy and transparency.
Working collaboratively with the University, it developed a bespoke digital First Day Information onboarding and information management system designed around the practical realities of complex professional service workflows.
The resulting platform automates aspects of document collection, workflow preparation and data structuring, creating a more streamlined and scalable operational model while improving collaboration and responsiveness across the business.
The impact of the innovation has already been significant. By modernising onboarding and workflow processes, Currie Young has materially reduced administrative burden, improved consistency across case handling and enhanced operational responsiveness. Teams are able to access and process information more efficiently, collaborate more effectively and dedicate greater time to strategic and advisory work.
Currie Young Insolvency & Restructuring has entered the Innovation, Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Jennie Candlish Racing
Team of the Year entrant
Staffordshire-based racehorse trainer Jennie Candlish was forced to close her yard just weeks after one of the biggest wins of her career after one of her horses tested positive for a contagious illness.
Jennie, whose yard is in Cheddleton, was unable to run horses from the beginning of December last year until she was cleared to reopen on Christmas Eve.
One of the horses in her care had tested positive for strangles, which can make it difficult for horses to breathe.
It came just weeks after one of the biggest successes of her training career when Alzahir won the Prox de Bonneval at Chantilly last October.
Jennie, who is now back to her winning ways, has been nominated for the University of Staffordshire Business Awards by Kerry Bogdanski of Dapper Dog Grooming.
Kerry said: “Jennie Candlish deserves recognition because she has built a highly successful dual-purpose yard through ambition, resilience and exceptional horsemanship.
“Her business has delivered sustained results, a standout period for prize money and a growing reputation for improving horses and getting the best out of them.
“Her success has reached black-type level too, with Alzahir giving her a first Listed success on the flat in France, while her runners have also competed at major meetings including Royal Ascot.
“What makes Jennie stand out even more is the way that growth has been achieved. She creates real opportunities for young people in racing, giving them structure, discipline, confidence and a future in the industry.
“Her resilience has also been exceptional. When the yard was forced to close after a positive strangles case, it was handled responsibly and professionally, the outbreak was contained and the yard returned to success.
“Jennie Candlish represents real growth, results, prize money, resilience and opportunity for others. She has built a yard with heart, standards and staying power and she is a very deserving nominee.”
Jennie Candlish Racing has been nominated in the Team of the Year, Growth and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.