Almost 300 people attended the first-ever Good Small Business Awards in Liverpool where 15 accolades were handed out. Tony McDonough reports

Sectors and businesses from across the UK were represented at the first-ever Good Small Business Awards in Liverpool.

Almost 300 people attended the awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in the city centre to see 15 accolades handed out. It was organised by Claire and Garth Dallas, directors of Dallas Consulting.

These are the UK’s first business sustainability awards aimed at small businesses. The judges were looking for small businesses that have shown progress of embedding sustainability strategies across four awards pillars – Purpose, People, Planet and Profit.

Applications had to be back up with verifiable evidence and the shortlisting criteria focused on identifying evidence of responsible business practices.

They not only had to show they had taken steps to reduce harmful impacts, but also that their impact is good – for people, for communities and for the planet. 

Gary Millar, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, said in his welcoming speech “It’s a pleasure to see that so many small businesses from such a variety of industries and geographies are working hard towards The Good Small Business Awards common goal and purpose.

“Small businesses make up 99% of UK businesses and account for around 48% of employment and 33% of turnover. They must play a crucial role in achieving any national or regional sustainability targets.” 

Jill Poet, chief executive of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses was a member of the judging panel and the event was backed by a number of sponsors. These included headline sponsor Liverpool John Moores University and Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang.

Garth Dallas said “I would like to congratulate everyone on the shortlist, and especially our winners. It was heart-warming to see how much the awards meant to our inaugural winners.

“We deliberately presented framed plaques for the finalists who did not win the category in which they were shortlisted, as we felt they also deserved the recognition.”

In her address to the audience Claire Dallas said, “You, as small businesses, are never too small to make your purpose happen. Remember an oak tree begins as an acorn… let’s all be on a mission to unite in sustainability.”

The ceremony was hosted by the broadcast duo Roy Basnett and Carol-Ann Whitehead. Winners were as follows: 

• Tech Innovator of the Year – EnviroTech Energy Solutions
• Disrupting Markets – Be Ethical
• Circular Economy – Changing Streams CIC
• People Centred – Sherrington Associates 
• Low Emissions Ambassador – Hydrogen Vehicle Systems
• Community Enterprise of the Year – RISE Construction Framework
• Visionary Leadership – New Leaf Life Design
• Manufacturing Industry Champion – Evolve MH Development Engineering
• Construction & the Built Environment Industry Champion – Sensicon
• Digital & Creative Industry Champion – Agent Academy
• Hospitality & Leisure Industry Champion – The Wellbeing Farm
• Administrative & Support Services Industry Champion – Adding Value Consultancy
• Retail & Wholesale Activities Industry Champion – The Refill Shop of Ikigai
• Personal Services Industry Champion – 
• Good Small Business of the Year 2023 – Evolve MH Development Engineering