Meet the sponsors of this year's Business Awards

THIS year’s Bolton Business Awards are bigger and better than ever, with more categories to celebrate the successes of businesses in the area.

Our sponsors are get behind the fantastic achievements of businesses of all sizes across Bolton.

Bolton Council is once again the headline sponsor.

The Bolton News: From left, Tony Oakman, Chief Executive of Bolton Council, Ged O’Dwyer, Manufacturing Sector Head – Air Defence Missiles & Weapon Systems at MBDA (UK), Karl Holbrook, Editor of The Bolton News, Mark Fry, Commercial Manager for Newsquest Bolton and Bla
From left, Tony Oakman, Chief Executive of Bolton Council, Ged O’Dwyer, Manufacturing Sector Head – Air Defence Missiles and Weapon Systems at MBDA (UK), Karl Holbrook, Editor of The Bolton News, Mark Fry, Commercial Manager for Newsquest Bolton and Blackburn, Lukas Hughes, an apprentice from Stateside Foods, Rachel Hall, Assistant Operations Manager at Market Place Bolton, James Boyd, Head of Business at Farnell Jaguar and Jodie Corless, an apprentice at Stateside Foods

Chief executive Tony Oakman said: “Business and entrepreneurs are fundamental building blocks that can make a real difference to people's lives and the kind of society we aspire to live in.”

Stateside Foods, which has been leading the way in the chilled pizza market for more than 25 years, is sponsoring five awards.

Managing director Jon Lucas said: “We are proud to sponsor The Bolton News Business Awards again this year and look forward to meeting and celebrating the fantastic people who help to make Bolton the thriving success story it is.”

The transformed Market Place Shopping Centre is sponsoring the Regeneration Project of the Year Award.

Centre manager Nikki Wilson-Cook said: “Having undergone our own regenerative transformation in recent years, at Market Place we recognise the value of such investments on both the town's infrastructure and the whole community.”

Missile manufacturer MBDA is also returning to sponsor the awards.

Ged O'Dwyer, manufacturing sector head – air defence missiles and weapon systems for MBDA (UK) said: “MBDA supports The Bolton News Business Awards because of its long manufacturing history in the area.

“Also as the awards promote the need to recognise and develop young people and promotes apprenticeships generally, which is a long term strategy for developing future engineers and manufacturing capability within MBDA.”

Farnell Jaguar is another familiar face at the awards.

Head of business James Boyd said: “The Group demonstrated its confidence in the town with this investment, which led to the creation of 20 significant jobs. It has allowed us to recruit from a pool of local talent. We have bolstered our existing team with people across different departments in the business and we are very proud of that.”

Karl Holbrook, Editor of The Bolton News, said: “Our awards are recognised as one of the premier events in the business calendar. We want as many firms of all kinds, as well as individuals, to enter. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for supporting these awards – it is hugely appreciated.”