Setting sights on silver – jubilee celebration rung up for HEY Business Awards as entries open
SUCCESS STORIES: Last year’s winners
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Entries are now open for the Hull and East Yorkshire (HEY) Business Awards 2025.
The longstanding event returns for its 25th year after a highly successful first year under the stewardship of Top 30 Under 30 entrepreneur Simon Jones last year.
The 2025 celebration, organised with new headline partner FEO, will take place at Hull’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Thursday, November 20. There will again be a dozen awards presented, with a nomination deadline of September 19 set. Packages of support tailored to the individual category are again part of the extended prize for the winners.
Last time out, Ideal Heating was the stand-out performer, with the operation named Large Business of the Year, while also taking the Environmental and Sustainability Award home.
Jason Speedy, chief operations officer, said: “As one of the region’s biggest employers, we were thrilled to be a double winner at the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards.
“The awards we won were a tremendous boost for all our people and a recognition of the contribution they all make to the business.
“It was a brilliant night and a fantastic celebration of all that is great about business in our region.
“We would encourage other companies to take the opportunity to put themselves in the spotlight and share their successes in the region’s most prestigious business awards.”
The growth accolade went to Hull-based Care Connection Partners. Deborah Stock, founder and managing director of the healthcare recruitment agency, said it was “a moment of immense pride for our whole team”.
“For us, the awards were a celebration of how far we've come as a business,” she said. “Being part of the HEY Business Awards also connects you with a wider community of successful businesses. I’d highly recommend entering the 2025 awards to other businesses, to help shine a light on their success and receive the recognition they deserve."
Hessle-based youth support and outreach provider Wild Intervention was named Small Business of the Year in 2024. Founder Caine Wild said: “The recognition received from the business community last year was a highlight of our journey so far.
“For Wild Intervention to thrive, I had to prove a lot of people wrong and overcome doubts and push through negativity. Reflecting on what we had achieved in four years when submitting the application was a valuable activity in itself, and I’d encourage all who have a success story to tell to follow our footsteps.
“Positivity breeds positive outcomes.”
Joining FEO in backing the awards are principal partners Bondholders, C3 Group, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Fred, GW Power-Safe, Horncastle Group, Hull City Council, Hull Live, KCOM, Layer8, MKM, Sewell Group, Skills Bootcamp Hull, Spencer Group, University of Hull and Wilkin Chapman Rollits.
The awards website will guide potential nominees, sponsors and partners towards the gala dinner, with full entry criteria available at www.heybusinessawards.co.uk. Tickets will also be on sale soon.
This year’s accolades are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Start-Up Business of the Year (Less than two years old)
Small Business of the Year (Less than 50 employees)
Best Place to Work
Environmental & Sustainability Award
Charity of the Year
Innovation Award
Entrepreneur of the Year
Team of the Year
Large Business of the Year
Growth Award
Rising Star