Eleven of the region’s leading businesses ‘made history’ last night when they were named the ‘Best in the Black Country’ at a glittering ceremony in front of 450 people at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

Cradley-based RunFlat International’s rapid expansion across the globe saw it crowned ‘Business of the Year’, with its innovative tyre inserts - that can withstand extreme conditions and ballistic threats - now sold in 45 global markets. A high-profile judging panel also cited the firm’s contribution to the local economy, helping to support more than 50 highly skilled jobs.

With 13 trophies presented in total, Wolves Foundation came out as double winners in the Business in the Community and Business in Schools categories, whilst Isaac H Grainger walked off with Manufacturing Champion, Pallet-Track (Employer of the Year) and Robert Hopkins Environmental Services (Family Business of the Year). iBiotech’s work in driving medical innovation with groundbreaking research that could transform treatment for neurological conditions like Parkinsons and Alzheimer’s contributed to it securing the Sustainability, Technology and Innovation title.

Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, delivered the welcome address: “It has been another year of global challenges and economic uncertainty, yet our region has once again shown its resilience, determination and ambition to create jobs, drive international expansion and push the boundaries of innovation in new emerging sectors.

“Our eleven winners this year illustrate the very best of the Black Country and it was fantastic to celebrate their achievements in front of so many people, who all believe that our region is Bostin’.” She continued: “The Awards is a fantastic way of putting the spotlight on our companies and showcasing some of the unique characteristics that makes our region such a fantastic place to live, work and do business.

“For the first time ever, all of the winners will automatically become the next group of Bostin’ businesses, joining the magnificent seven announced earlier this year.”

Other winners on the evening, included:

  • Black Country Future Star: Jack Roper, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland
  • Start-up Business of the Year: Helix Education Hub
  • Professional Services Business of the Year: Nant
  • Employee of the Year: John Bonser of Juniper Training
  • International Trade: RunFlat International
  • Not for Profit Organisation: InPower Academy CIC

Staged by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce since 2001, this year’s Business Awards was based on the theme ‘Making History Everyday’ to mark the region’s heritage whilst also looking forward to the sectors that are moving us into the future.

Dudley Canals & Caverns, Stourbridge Glass Museum and Halesowen College provided decorative bargeware, vases and items made by students as historical centrepieces, with the award-winning MaleVox choir performing ‘ a cappella’ versions of ELO’s Mr Blue Sky and The Beatles’ Blackbird.

Host Brody Swain guided guests through proceedings, including an hilarious game of Heads and Tails that, alongside contributions from official merch vendor Miss Chief Threads, raised thousands of pounds for Beacon Vision, the Chamber’s charity of the year.

Lauren Shepherd, Marketing & Communications Manager at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, concluded: “What an evening and what a fantastic way to mark 24 years of the Black Country Chamber Business Awards.

“We had our largest ever number of applications across all categories and it really illustrated the diversity and strength of companies that call the Black Country their home. There are an incredible number of businesses doing amazing things here, yet many continue to go under the radar - that’s why this evening is so important.”

The University of Wolverhampton was the headline partner of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, with other partners including ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, Blackrook Academy, Central Finance, Forkers Ltd, Freeths, GTG, Halesowen College, KMB Shipping Group, mfg Solicitors, NIS Group, The Sandwell Colleges and UKO Serviced Offices.

 

For further information, please visit www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels.

 

Captions for Pics:

 

Black County Chamber Award Winners: All the winners from this year’s Black Country Chamber Awards 2025

 

RunFlat International: Business of the Year 2025 was Cradley Heath’s RunFlat International

 

BC Awards (Sarah M): Sarah Moorhouse (CEO of Black County Chamber of Commerce) opened the awards

 

Full list of winners and finalists:

 

Black Country Future Star (in partnership with GTG)

  • Winner: Jack Roper (ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland)
  • Finalists: James Lloyd (Juniper Training), Millie Bentley (Unyte Academy), Tayla Langford (Pertemps) and India Leo (YMCA)

Business in Schools (in partnership with Blackrook Academy)

  • Winner: Wolves Foundation
  • Finalists: In-Comm Training, InPower Academy CIC, LD Training and HMB Training

Business in the Community (in partnership with NIS Group)

  • Winner: Wolves Foundation
  • Finalists: Ark Training Social Care Consultancy, Blackrook Academy, Compton Care and The Link (Walsall College)

Employee of the Year (in partnership with Central Finance)

  • Winner: John Bonser (Juniper Training).
  • Finalists: Emily Smith (Eigthy3Design), Triona O’Donnell (Juniper Training), Ritu Nargas (Top Tubes) and Jeni Sellick (West Midlands House).

 

Employer of the Year (in partnership with The Sandwell Colleges)

  • Winner: Pallet-Track
  • Finalists: Elemental Consulting Group, Halesowen College, Higgs LLP and Juniper Training

 

Family Business of the Year (in partnership with Forkers)

  • Winner: Robert Hopkins Environmental Services
  • Finalists: In-Comm Training, Lawrence Cleaning Solutions, TC Morris and Weatherite Group

International Trade (in partnership with KMB Shipping Group)

  • Winner: RunFlat International
  • Finalists: Bowers & Jones, JJX Logistics and Union Fasteners

Manufacturing Champion (in partnership with Freeths)

  • Winner: Isaac H Grainger & Son Ltd
  • Finalists: Fortress Safety, Frameclad, Top Tubes and Union Fasteners

Not for Profit (in partnership with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland)

  • Winner: InPower Academy CIC
  • Finalists: Compton Care, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, NICS Wellbeing CIC and The Way Youth Zone 

Professional Service Business of the Year (in partnership with UKO Serviced Offices)

  • Winner: Nant
  • Finalists: Acorn Support, ConsuLT PR & Marketing, Spotlight Accounting and TPSquared

Start Up Business of the Year (in partnership with mfg Solicitors)

  • Winner: Helix Education Hub
  • Finalists: Bodymind Collective CIC, Breakwells Coatings and Paints, Bridgewater Home Care Sandwell and NICS Wellbeing CIC

Sustainability, Technology and Innovation (in partnership with Halesowen College)

  • Winner: iBiotech
  • Finalists: Blackrook Academy, Coinadrink, Dachser and Elemental Consulting Group

Business of the Year (in partnership with The University of Wolverhampton)

·         Winner: RunFlat International