Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards 2025 Winners Announced

On Friday, 14th November, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards at Magna in Rotherham. The event, headline sponsored by Barnsley College, welcomed over 550 guests from across Barnsley, Rotherham, and South Yorkshire.

The evening was a spectacular blend of entertainment and recognition of leading businesses and outstanding individuals across the region, featuring live music, a DJ set, and the thrilling Miami Wave ride returned to conclude the festivities.

Hosted by SAS veteran, best-selling author and former SAS: Who Dares Wins instructor, Colin MacLachlan, the awards ceremony included the presentation of 13 prestigious awards plus the overall ‘Champion of Champions’ Business of the Year award, recognising exceptional achievements across a diverse range of organisations and industries.

The awards celebrated everything from outstanding entrepreneurs vying for Business Person of the Year to apprentices demonstrating exceptional dedication to career development.

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said:

“The Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards truly highlighted the strength and creativity of our local business community. Every finalist and winner demonstrated the innovation, dedication, and hard work that make South Yorkshire such a fantastic place to do business. We are proud to celebrate their achievements.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making the evening such a success, and a special mention to Barnsley College, our headline sponsor, for bringing something extra to the event. To all our sponsors, your support and commitment to South Yorkshire businesses is invaluable.

Congratulations to all our winners, highly commended entries, and shortlisted businesses, what an incredible achievement!”

For 2025, three new categories were introduced: Small Business of the Year, Campaign of the Year, and the Social Value Award, alongside awards recognising best practices in sustainability, commitment to staff development, customer service, and business growth.

Among the evening’s standout winners was Naylor Group, which took home the coveted Business of the Year award. The fourth-generation manufacturer has transformed its business through £18m investment, innovation, sustainability, and employee development, growing sales to £70m while championing inclusivity, mental health, and community impact.

The Charity of the Year award went to Rotherham Samaritans, recognised for their incredible work in providing 24/7 emotional support and running the Pathway Project, which reduces isolation and suicide risk through volunteer-led outreach and crisis intervention in partnership with local NHS services.

A special tribute was paid to long-serving businesses that have contributed to the region’s economy, with milestone certificates awarded to Age UK Rotherham (40 years), Kinspeed (40 years), Steel City Marketing (45 years), Rotherham United (100 years), and Shorts (135 years).

Reflecting on the business awards, Chamber President Matt Travis said:

“Over the past year, businesses of all sizes across South Yorkshire have delivered outstanding work. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every organisation involved in this year’s event. The calibre of entries was exceptional, and all those shortlisted, highly commended, and crowned winners should be immensely proud of their achievements.”

The full list of 2025 Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards winners includes:

Apprentice of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by The RNN Group)

Winner – Max Brough, Airmaster

Highly Commended – Becky Smith

Highly Commended – Joe Cockerill

Shortlisted – Leon Reed

Shortlisted – Sam Collumbine

Business Community Impact Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Rotherham Together Partnership)

Winner – Equans

Highly Commended – Henry Boot Construction

Highly Commended – Reloved Boutique

Shortlisted – BetterYou Ltd

Shortlisted – Naylor Group

Business Growth Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services)

Winner – Utility Source Limited

Highly Commended – Actus

Highly Commended – TwentyFour IT Services

Shortlisted – Elecomm

Shortlisted – Gala Technology

Business Person of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Secure Power)

Winner – Martine Tune

Highly Commended – Dr Perdita Mousley

Highly Commended – Mark Smith

Shortlisted – Lisa Hawksby

Shortlisted – Rob Shaw

Campaign of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Chapter II)

Winner – Rotherham Hospice

Highly Commended – ACW Medical Services Ltd

Highly Commended – Utility Source Limited

Shortlisted – Flux Rotherham

Shortlisted – Gala Technology

Charity of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Rotherham Enterprise Agency Limited – REAL)

Winner – Rotherham Samaritans

Highly Commended – Barnsley Hospice

Highly Commended – Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service (Rothacs)

Shortlisted – Crossroads Care Rotherham

Shortlisted – Kiveton Park & Wales & Community Development Trust

Commitment to People Development Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Barnsley College)

Winner – Glu Recruit

Highly Commended – Rotherham Hospice

Highly Commended – Vaughandale Construction Ltd

Shortlisted – Actus

Shortlisted – Crossroads Truck and Bus Ltd

Excellence in Customer Service Award Shortlist (Sponsored by MKB Solicitors LLP)

Winner – Equans

Highly Commended – IT Desk (UK) Limited

Highly Commended – Wayv. Talk and Broadband for Business

Shortlisted – Natural Cement

Shortlisted – Wentworth Woodhouse

Large Business of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by SOTpay)

Winner – Naylor Group

Highly Commended – Equans

Highly Commended – Hargreaves Industrial Services

Shortlisted – KCM Waste Management Ltd

Shortlisted – Newell and Wright Transport

Most Promising New Business Award Shortlist (Sponsored by IT Desk (UK) Limited)

Winner – Jiggle

Highly Commended – Empress Ballroom

Highly Commended – Nexus 360 Ltd

Shortlisted – Pest Risk Management Group Ltd

Shortlisted – Adam Bradley Business Growth Consultancy Ltd

Small Business of the Year Award Shortlist (Sponsored by ACW Medical Services)

Winner – Balliante

Highly Commended – Empress Ballroom

Highly Commended – Gravitate Digital Accounting

Shortlisted – GrowTraffic Ltd

Shortlisted – Steel City Marketing

Sustainability Award Shortlist (Sponsored by Enzygo)

Winner – Riverlution

Highly Commended – Hydrov Ltd

Highly Commended – Naylor Group

Shortlisted – Barnsley Hospice Retail Hub

Shortlisted – Magna Trust

Social Value Business of the Year Award Shortlist (Supported by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council)

Winner – Esh Group

Highly Commended – Equans

Highly Commended – KCM Waste Management

Shortlisted – Field Management Ireland (Rotherham Baby Pack)

Shortlisted – The Dwelling Doctors