Honouring the region's top-tier talent

Lucy Pittaway

Award-winning Yorkshire-based artist and businesswoman Lucy Pittaway turned her passion for art into a full-time business 12-years-ago. Demand has soared, with Lucy operating a successful online retail business offering artwork and homewares, and six galleries across Yorkshire and the Lake District, making it one of the largest creative businesses in the county. Lucy has held the title of the Fine Art Trade Guild UK’s Most Popular Published Artist since 2018 and was also the official artist for the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Sponsored by Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors

"At Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, we don’t just wait until you ring us when a legal issue arises. We look after our clients long before then – we want to help you avoid issues and difficulties.

We will work with you to take pro-active steps to reduce the risks that all business and owners of businesses face. That is – we want to bring you onto our Platforms, as we believe this will help you, your business, and your family to avoid disruption, delays, stress and expense later on.

Learn more about Our Business Platform – ensuring key business documents are in place and up to date."

Dan Westgarth - Station Cinema 

Over the past three years, Dan spearheaded a transformative overhaul of cinema operations, benefiting audiences, staff, and profitability. Starting amidst the Covid lockdown and the transition to nonprofit ownership, significant changes began in 2022. The cinema is now a central part of the local community, boasting high stands, robust marketing and a revamped product offering. Leadership restructuring and staff development have led to award-winning performances and substantial growth in retail and box office revenue. Community engagement initiatives and innovative marketing strategies have further solidified the local presence, culminating in a revitalized, profitable cinema.

Sponsored by The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York

The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York has a long and prestigious history of promoting enterprise, entrepreneurship and commercial ventures. They are an active force in the economic development of the City of York and its surrounds and its members are drawn from a wide range of professions and industries.

Next Door But One 

Next Door But One is an award-winning LGBTQ+ and disability-led theatre company based in York, promoting creative skills and encouraging community cohesion, particularly with those who face barriers to accessing theatre. Their established programme focuses on workshops, performances, and professional development opportunities for and with cohorts of the community with disabilities, mental ill health, those experiencing bereavement, unpaid carers, girls and women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. Their partners currently include The Snappy Trust, Camphill Village Trust, Converge, York Carers Centre, IDAS, and Clifton Green Primary School.

Sponsored by LNER

LNER is on a mission to transform rail travel.

Our new modern Azuma fleet of trains continue more than a hundred years of LNER tradition - setting new, higher standards in comfort, reliability and customer experience.

LNER calls at more than 50 stations along almost a thousand miles on the East Coast route, including major towns and cities between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.  

School Kitchen 

School Kitchen is a revolutionary new takeaway food model which supports local communities, provides great tasting food from around the world, and prioritises sustainability. School Kitchen partners with local schools using their facilities when they aren’t (after hours), from where it successfully runs home delivery takeaway restaurants.

Supported by Barclays Eagle Labs

Barclays Eagle Labs supports founders and entrepreneurs to innovate and grow. They provide business support, growth programmes and events for the innovators, founders and entrepreneurs across Yorkshire.

Next Door But One 

Next Door But One is an award-winning LGBTQ+ and disability-led theatre company based in York, promoting creative skills and encouraging community cohesion, particularly with those who face barriers to accessing theatre. Their established programme focuses on workshops, performances, and professional development opportunities for and with cohorts of the community with disabilities, mental ill health, those experiencing bereavement, unpaid carers, girls and women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. Their partners currently include The Snappy Trust, Camphill Village Trust, Converge, York Carers Centre, IDAS, and Clifton Green Primary School.

Sponsored by Bridge Employment Law

"BRIDGE are leading specialists in Employment Law and HR with 50 + years of experience in their team. We’re a Legal 500 Leading Firm, with a reputation for excellence in helping businesses of all sizes with all things employment law and HR across all sectors, both in the north and nationally. We’re a friendly York homegrown firm but with a national reach and leading expertise."

Ellers Farm Distillery

Situated in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, Ellers Farm state-of-the-art, B Corp certified distillery is one of the largest in the country and our vision is to create incredible drinks with a positive impact on people and the planet.

Sponsored by Nestlé

Nestlé’s purpose is to unlock the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. We are proud to be part of the York community, and want to help shape a more sustainable world for people, families and pets, and for the planet.