This year, it's Back to the Future!
Ninety local businesses and individuals were announced as semi-finalists of the Niche Business Awards 2022 at a networking event last night.
The business community gathered at the Leicestershire County Cricket Ground in Grace Road with more than a hundred guests along with sponsors and ambassadors.
The public has been nominating across 15 categories. Almost 400 nominations were received, and eight independent judges have taken the time to whittle them down since April.
The event is organised by parent company Cross Productions and runs in association with bi-monthly local publication Niche Magazine.
Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions, said: “Exceptional results come from exceptional efforts. We love to be able to recognise great businesses and individuals each year but it’s been particularly great to see how many have evolved over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.”
The Niche Business Awards 2022, known for its quirky themes, is celebrating with a Back to the Future theme.
A clever animated slideshow featuring the famous characters from the movie driving a DeLorean presented the semi-finalists.
Leicester Castle Business School is the headline sponsor. Going ‘beyond business as usual’, the higher education provider is a key player in developing talent in the city and county.
Three finalists in each category will be announced on July 4, 2022 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The ceremony will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Athena in the Cultural Quarter.
Tickets to the ceremony can be purchased for £85 + VAT each, or £800 + VAT for a table of 10 by emailing awards@nichemagazine.co.uk.
Our official semi-finalists:
Best New Business
Sponsored by Hollingsworths
Fraser Stretton Property Group
The Gresham Aparthotel
isin
Tor + Edge Climbing
Laura Lane Makeup
Family Business
Sponsored by Kazzoo IT
Three Point Design
Shonki Brothers
Rutland Cycling
Anokhi House of Sarees
Jordan Motors
AJ Bryan Construction
Business Growth
Sponsored by Torr Waterfield
VIP Bottles
Fraser Stretton Property Group
Food Attraction
Urban Apothecary London
Ignite Dating
Orange Fox Studios
Best Small Business
Sponsored by Ninja HR
Clarke & Roskrow Styling Opticians
Ben’s Kitchen
Little City Leicester
EMA Training
Three Point Design
Intrusted Pension Services
Digital Business of the Year
Sponsored by Take Me
Hollogram
LoyalFree
e-bate
Shrinker Digital
Pencil and Coffee
Cymer Marketing Solutions
Community Impact
Sponsored by Leicester Children’s Holidays
Leicester Community Benefit Society
She Inspires Global
Leicester Drama Society
Kazzoo IT
Hope Against Cancer
Menphys
Rising Star
Sponsored by PPL PRS
Sophie Redman - Linford Grey
Scarlett Tinsley - ER Recruitment
Sabrina Sudera - Design Studio Architects
Pete Talbot - Next Level Rugby
Vikesh Mistry - DMU Works
Laura Lane - Laura Lane Makeup
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Growth Partners
Michael Smith Switchgear
Mason Food Service
The Superbia Group
Fraser Stretton Property Group
Everards Meadows
Paragon Sales Solutions
Best Customer Service
Sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group
Clarke & Roskrow Styling Opticians
Three Point Design
Design Studio Architects
Paragon Sales Solutions
The Stoneygate Eye Hospital
Kazzoo IT
Leicestershire Charity of the Year
Sponsored by MR H IT
20-20 Voice Cancer
Wishes 4 Kids
Lamp
Menphys
Zinthiya Trust
Mission:Foodbank
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Breedon Consulting
Narinder Nijjar - Fraser Stretton Property Group
Gabby Miller - Cool As Leicester
Estelle Keeber - Immortal Monkey
Lee Wheeler-Tomes - Orange Fox Studios
Luke Tobin - Digital Ethos
Sophie Hainsworth – LoyalFree
Eco Excellence
Sponsored by Beau Aesthetica
Three Point Design
Soar Valley Press
Michael Smith Switchgear
Design Studio Architects
EcoVillage
EarthSense
Professional Services
Sponsored by Jerroms Miller
Design Studio Architects
Furnley House
isin
Kazzoo IT
ISJ Independent Financial Planning
Shonki Brothers
Business Man of the Year
Sponsored by BP Legal
Gurdev Mattu - Fashion UK
AD Trophy Lee Wheeler-Tomes - Orange Fox Studios
Greg Hollingsworth - Hollingsworths
Rik Pancholi - Pattersons Commercial Law
Atul Lakhani - Sanjay Foods
Kal Sangra - Shonki Brothers
Business Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Tilton Conway
Sadie Pollard - Charles Bentley
Eileen Perry - ER Recruitment
Sophie Hainsworth - LoyalFree
Emily Smith - Michael Smith Switchgear
Jo Sutton - Empire Finance
Helen Parker - DeVOL Kitchens
