40 Boost-supported businesses among 89 finalists at BIBAs 2024
A total of 40 Lancashire businesses who have received support from Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, are among 89 finalists shortlisted at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs).
The BIBAs, which is organised by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, shines a light on Lancashire businesses across 20 categories.
This year is the 16th annual awards and is headline sponsored by Lancashire County Council.
Hundreds of Lancashire businesses apply for the awards each year and the winners are chosen through a multi-stage judging process.
Among the finalists who have received Boost support is Fleetwood-based ductwork manufacturer EcoDuct, which has been shortlisted across three categories: ‘Low Carbon Business of the Year’, ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ and ‘Innovative Business of the Year’.
The company approached Boost for help in 2022 and received support from several services including the Business Advice Service. It has since moved from its old factory in Blackpool to a new space in Fleetwood to increase capacity.
Clitheroe-based specialist business podcast agency Voice It, which is shortlisted in ‘Skills Provider of the Year’, ‘New Business of the Year’ and ‘Digital and Marketing Business of the Year’ has received support through Boost’s Flying Start and Business Advice Service over the past two years while St Annes based Clifton Homecare, shortlisted for ‘Employer of the Year’ also received Boost support in 2023.
County Councillor Aidy Riggott
County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, Lancashire County Council said:
“Through Boost, Lancashire County Council has provided funding to support around 14,000 Lancashire based businesses since 2013, so it’s fulfilling see so many of these businesses not only fulfilling their potential but also being recognised for their work at prestigious awards ceremonies like the BIBAs.
“Shining a light on Lancashire business success is a vital part of inspiring the next generation of Lancashire success stories and that is why we have chosen to partner with the BIBAs to sponsor this year.”
“These companies on the shortlist which Lancashire County Council has helped through Boost, as well as our other support services, operate across a wide range of sectors, highlighting the breadth of expertise business can access through funded business support.”
Amin Vepari, business finance and scaleup lead, Lancashire County Council added:
“The calibre of businesses we’ve seen this year is truly remarkable. The diversity and innovation demonstrated by these companies highlight the strength and potential of Lancashire’s business community and it’s a real testament to Lancashire County Council to say we have supported many of these companies during their growth journey.”
The BIBAs awards ceremony will take place at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom on September 20 and will be attended by more than 1000 business owners and leaders from across Lancashire and the North West.
See the full list of this year’s BIBAs finalists here: https://www.thebibas.co.uk/news/bibas-2024-finalists-have-been-announced.
***This news release was produced by Freshfield PR on behalf of Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub
Notes to editors
For further information, contact the Boost media office at Freshfield (01772 888400):
- Joel Durkin | joel@freshfield.com
- Jacqueline Ballard | jacqueline@freshfield.com
- Niamh Heron | niamh@freshfield.com
About Boost:
Led by Lancashire County Council, supported by Government and ten local authorities, Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub, one of 37 Growth Hubs in the UK.
Boost’s mission is to help Lancashire businesses thrive.
Since 2013, Boost has supported over 14,000 businesses, helping create 3,500 jobs while adding £100m to the local economy.
From September 1 2023, Boost is funded by Lancashire County Council, Department for Business & Trade (DBT), and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocations from ten Lancashire local authorities (Boost local authorities partners). UKSPF is part of the Levelling Up agenda and succession to EU structural funds.
Boost’s local authority partners are Blackburn with Darwen Council, Burnley Council, Chorley Council, Fylde Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Pendle Borough Council, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Wyre Council.
Boost offers six core services including:
- Business Support Helpdesk: A service that offers advice and guidance on available local, national and sector business support.
- Business Advice Service: A service that matches a business with an adviser and includes a business review, a business support action plan, business clinics and regular updates.
- Growth Catalyst: A service to help established businesses ready to take their business to the next level.
- Scale to Thrive: An exclusive service for businesses over £1m turnover looking to scale 20% year on year.
- Flying Start: A service that helps people start a new business or grow a young business.
- Access to Finance: A service that helps businesses find and secure the finance and funding they need.
Boost also provides an online directory of all funded business support available to Lancashire businesses, as well as an event directory, a knowledge hub and information about private sector business support.
The Business Support Helpdesk offers advice and guidance to anyone thinking of starting a business and all new and existing businesses in Lancashire. The Helpdesk provides information on local, national and sector programmes, and funding support help businesses start, grow and scale. The Business Support Helpdesk is available to businesses across all Lancashire local authorities.
Businesses located in the ten Boost local authority partner areas are eligible for the Business Advice Service, Flying Start, Growth Catalyst, Scale to Thrive and Access to Finance.
The Boost business support services will be delivered by a number of specialist local and national business support organisations including Growth Lancashire, Selnet and the Growth Company, with Lancashire County Council delivering the Access to Finance service.
The Growth Hubs across England are designed to provide local businesses of any size or sector with access to advice and support via an impartial, funded, single point of contact. They bring together national and local support from across the public and private sectors to help businesses find the right support for their needs, at the right time, at any stage of the business journey.