Window firm Warwick North West and brand marketing specialist Wild Thang were among the winners at the City of Liverpool Business Awards – see the full list here. Tony McDonough reports

More than 200 people gathered at Sefton Park Palm House for the City of Liverpool Business Awards (COLBA) to see 15 accolades handed out.

Among the big winners on the night were Bootle window and door manufacturer Warwick North West, which was named Business of the Year, and brand marketing specialist Wild Thang, also based in Bootle, which won the Chief Executive’s Award.

Organised by business lobby group Downtown in Business, COLBA is now in its 21st year. Each year it recognises the achievements and successes of the Liverpool city region business community.

Warwick North West, which has seen significant growth over the past couple of years under leadership of managing director Greg Johnson, who took over the business from his father Brian Johnson suddenly in 2021, when Brian fell ill.

After winning the award, Greg said: “The recognition Warwick is getting is testament to the hard work all my team have put in over the past few years.

“We are a business that cares, a family business. It was an honour to share the stage with some of my amazing team which also included my sister and my brother.”

Wild Thang produces a large range of branded products for multiple blue chip clients including SkyBet, McDonald’s and Paddy Power.

It defied the strong headwinds of the pandemic to invest more than £2m in a huge upgrade of its headquarters. Since then it has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds more in new production equipment to increase capacity and improve efficiency.

Wild Thang managing director and founder Andrew Dwerryhouse accepted the award from Downtown chief executive Frank McKenna. Andrew said: “I know first-hand the incredible work Downtown In Business do supporting and celebrating organisation across the UK business community.

“So this is one of the best personal moments in my professional life and given me an incredible sense of pride, but as always I will only ever receive any award on behalf of our team because its all of those amazing and talented individuals that are all part of the Wild Thang family.”

This year’s COLBA was sponsored by Muse. Full list of winners is as follows:

• Employer of the Year 2024 sponsored by OneHR: Steven A Hunt & Associates
• Business Supplier of the Year 2024 sponsored by Sefton Park Hospitality: The Printroom UK
• Newcomer of the Year 2024 sponsored by Wild Thang: The Municipal Hotel
• Legal Firm of the Year 2024 sponsored by William James Recruitment:
  Glenville Walker
• Professional Services Firm of the Year 2024 sponsored by Excello Law:
  Modus Wealth
• Innovation & Tech Business of the Year 2024 sponsored by Think Wine Group: Quirky Digital
• PR & Marketing Agency of the Year 2024 sponsored by Qube Residential: Moore Media
• Hospitality Venue of the Year 2024 sponsored by The Hospitality Hero: The Watering Can
• Hotel of the Year 2024 sponsored by The Festive Group: Malmaison
• Property Firm of the Year 2024 sponsored by Muse: Sutcliffe
• Business of the Year 2024 sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Warwick North West
• Contribution to Liverpool 2024 sponsored by Nugent: Krol Corlett
• Liverpool BID Company Award 2024 sponsored by Liverpool BID Company: Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre
• Chair’s Award 2024: Vitality Homes
• Chief Executive’s Award 2024: Wild Thang