Leeds-based North Brewing Co has been named brewery business of the year at the SIBA Business Awards.
The business took the top gong after winning the business innovation category and impressing across a wide range of areas. North founders John Gyngell and Christian Townsley accepted the award on behalf of their team.
John said: “We’re gobsmacked! As a brewery we are only four years old, and to build it from nothing to win this is amazing. Over the last 12 months we have set ourselves some really ambitious goals, and feel like we have conquered all of them, so to win this really means a lot.”
The company was praised for efforts across its business and won an award for its Champions initiative, which empowers staff to take on responsibility for key business areas, such as charitable causes and mental health.
Christian added: “We have an annual charity which we work with, but we saw a gap in what we were doing to make a member of staff a Champion of our charity work — once we did this we thought how can we extend this across the business to areas that matter to us, like mental health.
“We want to empower our staff to do something extra. They learn skills and develop, and we get to run an even more rewarding, empowering business. We want to look after our people and support our team and the wider industry.”
Business Awards in full
Marketing implementation
Boss Brewing vs Hugo Boss
Green business
Purity Brewing Co (highly commended, Stroud Brewery)
Best individual design
West Berkshire, Detour Pale Ale
Best total concept design
Brick Brewery, Winter Berry Sours
Business innovation
North Brewing Co, Champions scheme
Commercial achievement
Farr Brew
UK’s best independent craft beer retailer, multiple
Tesco
UK’s best independent craft beer retailer, single
Beer no Evil, Worthing
UK’s best independent craft beer bar/pub, city
Assembly Underground, Leeds
UK’s best independent craft beer bar/pub, city
Bailey Head, Oswestry
Best independent craft brewery taproom
Salt Beer Factory (highly commended, Cold Town House)
UK’s best independent craft beer restaurant
Curry Leaf cafe, Brighton
UK’s best independent craft beer promotion
Nottingham Craft Beer Week
Supplier associate of the year
Beer Box Shop
