The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has awarded its prestigious Start-Up Award to a leading Welsh business during its annual celebration of the UK’s best entrepreneurial talent.
The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024, held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, saw awards host and TV personality Tess Daly crown HJH Commercial Consultants from Deeside the UK’s best start-up business.
HJH Commercial Consultants has grown from a single employee to a thriving enterprise of 20 dedicated Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers serving the renewable energy, utilities and civil engineering sectors. Its success is not just about growth; it’s about innovation, commitment, social values and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Dylan Johnson, director at HJH Commercial Consultants, said: “We’re such a small company and we’ve put in so much work, so this award means a lot to us. We work in an industry that lacks diversity, so it’s important to us that we acknowledge the diverse team that has helped drive our success. One of our goals as a start-up is to amplify the contributions of groups that we don’t hear enough from in the built environment. Women, for example, are under-represented in the industry, and our recent success is thanks in large part to our business development manager, Rebecca Harrison, who has transformed our business alongside the challenges of being a working parent.
“We pride ourselves on our sustainability credentials, but to do more we need to work with more people in our local area – from local councils to businesses and communities. 80 per cent of our materials and workforce are local. We need to be in this together, putting a sustainable future in place for the next generation.
“We’re humbly grateful to our team for everything they’ve done, and for our clients who have shown belief in us. This success is the product of everyone’s efforts.”
The event saw representatives from more than 140 small businesses, plus self-employed professionals, gather from across the UK, with each previously named a regional winner in their respective area. Other UK winners spanned award categories, including Innovation, Young Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, Family Business, Franchise, Micro Business, Self-Employed / Freelancer, Service Excellence, Expansion & Growth, and Community, plus the coveted title of ‘Small Business of the Year’, which was awarded to Edinburgh-based carbon capture innovator, CCU International.
This year’s Celebrating Small Business Awards grand final, delivered in partnership with headline sponsor Tyl by NatWest, was a momentous occasion for FSB, representing a celebration of the UK’s best small businesses and self-employed professionals. Founded in 1974, FSB has been the leading voice for millions of small businesses and the self-employed community in the UK for half a century.
Martin Mctague, OBE, National Chair of FSB, said: “Congratulations to HJH Commercial Consultants. They’re living proof that even the smallest and youngest business can make an enormous contribution.
“Well done, also, to all the finalists from the region who have helped to demonstrate the diversity, creativity and tenacity of small businesses and the self-employed across the whole of Wales. It is through supporting small businesses that we’ll have a stronger economy.”
The complete list of UK winners in the 12 categories are:
- Small Business of the Year & Innovation Award – CCU International
- Young Entrepreneur Award – Samantha Cage, Ocala Healthcare
- Sustainability Award – Stubcroft Farm Campsite Ltd
- Expansion & Growth Award – Technology Powered Services Ltd
- Community Award – Nightstop Communities North-West CIC
- Diversity & Inclusion Award – Beyond Green
- Family Business Award – TEKShop
- Franchise Award – Boogie Beat Music and Movement
- Micro Business Award – 9Trees
- Self-Employed / Freelancer Award – Neil Trewick of Trew Surveying Ltd
- Service Excellence Award – Vanlife Conversions Ltd
- Start-up Business Award – HJH Commercial Consultants
