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Lorraine Baggs

Lorraine Baggs, the inward investment specialist who now works for Nottingham Forest, was named as Ambassador of the Year at the 2025 East Midlands Business of the Year Awards.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 300 business leaders and owners, Baggs, who spent 16 years as head of inward investment at Invest in Nottingham before joining the City Ground revolution, walked away with the top prize.

She was joined as winner by Christina Yardley of Rothera Bray, who was named CEO of the Year, and an array of some of the finest companies from across the East Midlands.

TheBusinessDesk.com’s East Midlands editor, Sam Metcalf, said: “Tonight’s shortlisted and winning companies were part of another huge show of support for our Business of the Year Awards.

“As our judges said, the East Midlands is often talked down or overlooked relative to some other areas but the awards has brought a spotlight onto the calibre of the industries right on our doorstep. From some of the smaller social enterprises to the regions largest operators, it’s clear that entrepreneurship is alive and well and it’s great to use this opportunity to celebrate it.”

The winners

Start-up
Winner: Forge Genetics

Shortlisted
Half the Story
Q Branch Consulting
Devello Group
AG Corporate Law

Community Impact
Winner: Half the Story

Shortlisted
L.E.A.D. IT Services
Nimbus Disability
Footprints Conductive Education Centre
Imara CIO
Furnley House
Nottingham Building Society

Sustainability
Winner: Eight Group

Shortlisted:
Morley Hayes
Reuseabox
Nottingham Playhouse
Nottingham College
Stagfield Group
Eight Group

Employer of the Year
Winner: Kara Healthcare

Shortlisted
WBR Group
MHR International
Kara Healthcare
Duncan & Toplis
NG Chartered Surveyors
Dalton Roofing

Innovation
Winner: Batfast

Shortlisted
SuperFOIL Insulation
Lightbulb Credit
Devello Group
Copley Scientific
Natural Innovations
Forge Genetics

Investment
Winner: Lightbulb Credit

Shortlisted
Mystery Jersey King
OTB Legal

Property
Winner: Rigby & Co

Shortlisted
Stagfield Group
Armsons Barlow

Family Business
Winner: The Wilkins Group

Shortlisted
The Workplace Depot
Bluebell Dairy Ice Cream Farm
Daltons Wadkin
Johns of Nottingham
ADS Laser Cutting
Ballards Removals

Small Business (up to 50 employees)
Winner: Copley Scientific

Shortlisted
Evolve Business Finance
The Kid Collective
The Workplace Depot
Syon Tax
Cabin Master and Arctic Cabins
Juggling Octopus Business Support
Honest Communications
Melita POS

Medium Business (51-250 employees)
Winner: Morley Hayes

Shortlisted
WBR Group
Rothera Bray
ADS Laser Cutting
Miller Knight
Aquavista Watersides & Marinas
Nottingham Playhouse

Large Business (251+ employees)
Winner: MHR International

Shortlisted
Duncan & Toplis
Roythornes Solicitors
Weightmans
The Wilkins Group

Fast Growth Business
Winner: Miller Knight

Shortlisted
Wilten Construction
L.E.A.D. IT Services
AG Corporate Law
Natural Innovations

CEO of the Year
Winner: Christina Yardley, Rothera Bray

Shortlisted
Nitesh Somani, Kara Healthcare
Rebecca Aldridge, Balance: Wealth Planning
Alan White, Fresh Logistics
Lee Jepson, L.E.A.D. IT Services
James Piper, Lightbulb Credit
Steve de Polo, Aquavista Watersides & Marinas

Ambassador of the Year
Lorraine Baggs, Nottingham Forest

 

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