Henderson Group companies have won two key trophies in this year’s Belfast Telegraph Business Awards held in partnership with Ulster Bank.

Henderson Wholesale was awarded the Excellence in Marketing accolade, sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas, for its ‘Find Your InSPARation’ campaign which secured an increase in wholesale sales, additional annual customer shopping trips and further improvement in shopper perceptions.

The Ulster University Business School backed Excellence in the Development of Management and Leadership was presented to Henderson Foodservice. The company’s HR team has developed a more effective future-proofed leadership and development strategy which has increased employee engagement and reduced recruitment costs in line with staff retention.

Almost 500 of Northern Ireland’s brightest and best business people attended the black-tie event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast and hosted by BBC NI presenter Mark Simpson.

Winner’s trophies and highly commended certificates were presented to small and large businesses and organisations across 13 categories.

The gala awards night also featured a economic review by Invest NI CEO Alastair Hamilton and a Dragon’s Den style elevator pitch with five entrepreneurial start-ups competing to win a £4000 prize package. Voted by guests the ultimate winner was Stephen Beck from Zero Waste Solutions.

Richard Donnan, Head of Ulster Bank, Northern Ireland said, “The awards demonstrate that not only is there exceptional work taking place in our business community, but companies are increasingly aware of the importance of showcasing it through the Business Awards to help them further develop and grow. It’s clear that local businesses are competing and winning in their marketplaces and delivering real value for their business and for Northern Ireland.”

Pictured from Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Wholesale are, from left, Zoe Young, Andrea Scott, Rachel Gill, Ron Whitten, Sara Murphy and Brenda Mulligan.