A TRAINING provider which helps young people develop key skills to fulfil their career ambitions has been named as Solihull Business of the Year (sponsored by 1TcA)
Digital Innovators was crowned the overall winner of the awards and the Solihull Outstanding Small Business of the Year award, sponsored by Fews Marquees, at the virtual Solihull Chamber annual awards extravaganza.
Compered by Touchwood’s general manager Tony Elvin, the awards were beamed live from Chamber House in Edgbaston to hundreds of businesses across Solihull.
Digital Innovators were presented with the coveted accolade live, by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner, who delivered the news and the award in-person.
Mick Westman, founder of Digital Innovators.
Digital Innovators, founded by Mick Westman work with a number of educational and public sector bodies across Birmingham and Solihull, providing training and education courses to young people to help them develop their digital, work-ready skills.
In the last year, the business has expanded considerably, including securing a contract with the West Midlands Combined Authority to train 300 young people not in education, employment or training.
Digital Innovators now support more than 500 young people aged between 14 and 25 in the West Midlands.
Helen Bates, chair of the judging panel for the awards, said: “Digital Innovators showed a strong and clear vision, creating positive impacts for the local economy and the individuals they work with, as well as being a profitable business.”
Other businesses which took home accolades included:
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Performance through People): Fran Leonard, from Arup and Alexandra Sheldon from Phoebus Software
Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year (Sponsored by Evac + Chair): Hannah Elsy, Hannah Elsy Productions
Outstanding Business Person of the Year (Sponsored by RationalFX): Brad and Spencer Parkes, Specsavers Solihull
Outstanding Charity of the Year (Sponsored by Claridge Place – Sanders Senior Living): Adoption Focus
Outstanding Contribution to Community (Sponsored by TOA Taxis): Gro-Organic
Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year (Sponsored by Gymshark): Home Dine
Outstanding Large Business of the Year (Sponsored by Prescient Business Consulting): Enzen
The awards were sponsored by Solihull College and University Centre, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Gymshark and Touchwood.
The event’s digital awards brochure was sponsored by Open College Network West Midlands.
