Businesses across south Cumbria walked away with a host of top honours at the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2018.

One of the most coveted awards, Businessperson of the Year, went to Barry Leahey MBE, managing director of Playdale Playgrounds, which designs, manufactures and installs playgrounds across the world.

The prestigious Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria award was presented to Maria Whitehead MBE and Mark Whitehead MBE, of Hawkshead Relish, at the glittering ceremony hosted by TV and radio broadcaster Jeremy Vine at The Halston in Carlisle.

Another big winner was Technical Fibre Products, part of the James Cropper group of companies based in Burneside, who away with both the Best Manufacturing and Best Innovation awards – the only company to score a double on the night.

Ulverston LED manufacturer Oxley Group, which supplies its products across the world, was named Best Exporter and the Rothay Garden Hotel, near Grasmere, received the Best Tourism and Hospitality award.

Mr Leahey admitted that he was left speechless have receiving his accolade.

“I genuinely didn’t believe I was going to win it and I am over the moon that I have – it’s rewarding to be recognised,” he said.

“I am lucky enough to facilitate a great team of people. Some people call that leadership, but I call it facilitation. It’s getting the best out of the people that are there. I have got a really good team around me and they’ve all bought into it.”

The sentiment was echoed by husband and wife team, Maria and Mark Whitehead, who were recognised after much deliberation among the in-Cumbria team for growing a business from the small Lake District village in to one that exports to countries around the world, and for their contribution to the wider business community over the years.

Mrs Whitehead admitted to being left speechless with the accolade. As well building the Hawkshead Relish empire with her husband, she was a founding member of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership board, sits on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ food and drink forum, has advised on Government white papers on exports for small and medium sized businesses in the sector, and regularly collaborates with Cumbrian businesses to share experiences and expertise.

“I think it’s phenomenal, in this room full of such a lot of experience to have been recognised for what we do is very humbling,” she said. “We are a family business through-and-through and everyone who works for us is part of our family and we all work together as a team."

Elsewhere, law firm Cartmell Shepherd picked up the Best Professional Services award and Cumbria Health on Call was crowned Best Social Enterprise.

Carlisle e-commerce business CHO Fashion & Lifestyle won the Best Marketing award for its campaigns across multiple channels and Carlisle College accounting apprentice Rebecca Mooney, who is based at Carlisle Refrigeration, won the Best Apprentice or Trainee accolade.

The Best Family Business award went to property rental firm GM & SM Marrs, of Wigton, while Walby Farm Park, near Carlisle, picked up the Best Customer Service Excellence award.

The Best New Business title went to Luxury Living Development at Scalesceugh Hall, owned by Bruno and Dr Anita Herdeiro.

Multi-disciplinary firm Kaefer Ltd, with a based in West Cumbria, picked up the prize for Best Community Involvement in recognition of its work linked to social impact.

Cockermouth-based PR agency One Little Bird was named best SME while Embleton’s Caterite Food and Wineservice scooped the award for Best Large Business.