Manufacturers Wild Thang and Warwick North West, as well as Liverpool Airport, were among the winners at the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards. Tony McDonough reports

More than 400 people packed into St George’s Hall to see the winners of the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards revealed.

Manufacturers Wild Thang and Warwick North West, as well as Liverpool John Lennon Airport, were among those who picked up accolades on the night. In all, 16 awards were handed out.

Wild Thang, which is a brand marketing specialist, and Warwick, a manufacturer of windows and doors, were both flying the flag for Bootle. Wild Thang was named Sustainable Business of the Year while Warwick scooped Business of the Year (more than 30 employees).

Business of the Year (under 30 employees) went to Oriel Studios, a print and signage firm, also based in Bootle.

Both Wild Thang and Warwick have been the recipients of multiple awards over the past couple of years after seeing significant investment leading to accelerated periods of growth.

Young Person of the Year was awarded to Lucky Ali, founder of community cafe and hub Lucky’s Cafe+, while Dr Becky Jones-Phillips from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine received the Leadership Innovation Award.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport won the Customer Excellence Award and also received the chair’s Award on the night for its contribution to the city region’s tourism sector. Novotel Paddington Village was named New Business of the Year.

Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber, said: “The wide variety of business types and sectors in this year’s shortlist, and among the eventual winners, is a clear reflection of the breadth of talent and expertise in the Liverpool City Region economy.

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“We have ambitious young businesses, established SMEs, world-class pioneers and community innovators, all within one bustling ecosystem

“These awards are an important recognition of their individual and collective contributions to the city region landscape.

“As we approach our 175th anniversary, it is important that we remain attuned to the changing needs of businesses in an ever-shifting economic climate.”

2024 Award Winners:

• Social Impact Award sponsored by ACC Liverpool: Nugent
• Sustainable Business of the Year Award sponsored by: Liverpool Hope University Business School: Wild Thang
• Talent Development Award sponsored by National Museums Liverpool: University of Liverpool – Design your Future
• Customer Excellence Award sponsored by BV Utilities: Liverpool John Lennon Airport
• New Business of the Year Award sponsored by Oriel Studios: Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
• Community Impact Award sponsored by Kimpton: The Anfield Wrap
• Young Person of the Year Award: Lucky Ali – Lucky’s Café+
• International Business of the Year Award sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Trinity Logistics
• Experience Provider of the Year Award sponsored by MICT: Liverpool Empire Theatre
• Skills Provider of the Year Award sponsored by Clear Futures: The City of Liverpool College
• Innovative Product or Service Award sponsored by BT Local Business: Leafyard
• Innovation in Health & Wellbeing Award: Everton in the Community
• Leadership Innovation Award sponsored by Help to Grow @ University of Liverpool Management School: Dr Becky Jones-Phillips – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• Business of the Year Award (over 30 employees) sponsored by Lexus Liverpool: Warwick North West
• Business of the Year Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by MSP: Oriel Studios
• Chair’s Award: Liverpool John Lennon Airport