Doncaster Business Awards: What a night!

Upon entering to a bustling reception area, the lashing rain outside hadn’t at all dampened the excitement of the evening, the growing excitement tangible. The internals of the main building were well dressed with twinkly lights peeking out of a black backdrop adding additional drama, along with a large welcoming archway as a real focal point on entry. It was great to meet new faces, and as we pondered over what was in the welcome drink which styled a floating berry within what seemed, in the atmospheric lighting, to be a sort of pink/orange hue drink, one of the judges who happened to be standing just by us introduced themselves. It was lovely to chat with someone from a completely different sector and great to meet another Doncaster entrepreneur! 

As we started moving to the tables, we were able to spend a few minutes catching up with Paul and Nicola Stockhill, Paul is the owner of Agemaspark, a high tech precision engineering firm also in Doncaster and with whom LAS often work closely with. Peter and Heather then sat with Agemaspark, Jess with Sheffield University who had kindly offered LAS a seat at their table. 

With chance for a quick introduction around tables in the room, it wasn’t long before the event kicked off with welcomes and the Lifetime Achievement Award, ahead of food and further awards later. As the description of the attributes of the Lifetime Achievement award winner were read out in advance of the reveal, there was the dawning realisation by Paul that he himself had won this award – a mixed look of happiness and shock on his face. Others around the table who worked at Agemaspark had somehow managed to keep such a lovely secret! A worthy winner, who has not just set up and developed his business across twenty years to its current success and standing, but has also worked with the local University Technical College to mentor and support careers in engineering. Congratulations Paul! It was a privilege and delight to be there to see his special moment!

Jess enjoyed being part of and meeting a lively table of lovely individuals, Sheffield University’s table hosted a range of types of businesses on the table and it was good to hear a flavour of the work they do.

As the night went on, there were many awards and a huge congratulations to all short listed, runners-up and winners – it was great to be there to hear about and be part of celebrating the success of Doncaster organisations. 

The night ended with a fantastic band and many, including all our LAS staff, including an initially reluctant director, took a turn on the dance floor before the taxi called to take us to homes. What a great and enjoyable night!

Thank you to Doncaster Chamber for another great Doncaster Business Awards, and to Sheffield University and Agemaspark for inviting us. Congratulations again to Paul!