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Business of the Year Award – Scale Up
Hannaman Material Handling Ltd
Hannaman Material Handling is based in Flintshire and was acquired by ex-REME Artisan Staff Sergeant Steve Downey who had spent 25 years in the Army as both an A&B Mechanic. Hannamans specialise in forklift trucks whilst also offering a comprehensive range of other associated material handling products and services.
Steve’s background of working in many Workshops and Light Aid Detachments as a vehicle mechanic/engineer meant that Hannamans was the ideal fit as a business.
Operating from its 10,000 sqft facility, it’s synergy with an operational REME unit is uncanny as the business even operates to 1st, 2nd & 3rd line repair processes.
The decision to take the leap and acquire Hannamans was simply to satisfy an ambition to be successful on a personal level whilst also creating the best working environment for employees to develop and grow.
Steve aims to expand the business, opening new branches within the UK.
Pro Noctis Ltd
The business was conceived by two RAF Sergeant PTI’s in 2013 -Philip Quirk and Phil Kelly. The concept was to take their knowledge and skills learnt in the Military to create a cutting edge Human Performance Training & Consultancy business. As with all start up businesses they have experienced highs and lows and at times had to fight for existence. They have been very ambitious from the outset and this has mirrored the results to date. Currently they have Consultants & Trainers who have served in various Armed Forces, many of them former ‘bosses’ of Philip and Phil while in the RAF and also a former Navy Submarine Commander. They identified a niche in the market and pursued it vigorously gaining a reputation as key persons of influence within Human Performance.
Strongmind Resiliency Training Ltd
Richard Dorney (Director and Founder) spent more than 38 years in the British Army. During this time he set up the British Army Trauma Risk Management Programme and was responsible for the development of policy around wounded injured and sick personnel. The expertise gained in this field was deemed to be invaluable in civilian life, particularly with Emergency services who are overstretched and who experience the most psychologically challenging events daily. Strong Minded Resiliency Training have gone on to deal with several government departments, charities as well as corporate clients.
The aims of the business were to provide mental health awareness and education to reduce stigma and to improve support to those who may experience mental health problems. Strongmind seeks to encourage the implementation of supportive systems and to improve leadership through education of mental health and resilience. They also sought to harness the experience and ability of ex-military trainers and experts in this field to ensure the highest standards and to provide work and development opportunities for veterans.
