A logistics veteran who has steered his family firm through six decades was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award as the Hull and East Yorkshire business community celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Peter Brown, the third-generation head of global logistics provider Neill & Brown, received a standing ovation from an audience of 500 peers. The event highlighted the economic diversity of East Yorkshire, a region in Northern England known historically as a maritime gateway to Europe.

Mr Brown joined the company in 1965. The firm, established in 1917 to import Swedish timber for WWI trench props, later supported US Army operations at the Port of Hull following the Second World War. Today, it handles chemicals, food, and fashion logistics globally.

“This means so much,” Mr Brown said. “Our business started in 1917, it has been going a long time. We employ a lot of people, all from Hull and surrounding areas, and I don’t want to sell the business, I want to employ more people and keep the business going. It is a legacy. There aren’t many people that think like that, and whether I’m wrong or right, I’m not sure!”

Reflecting on the industry's perception, he added: “Transport is a funny business, everyone looks at us as a dirty business, but we provide food, clothes, chemicals, all over the world, and without us people simply wouldn’t exist.”

Manufacturing and tech triumphs

The evening saw several companies secure double victories, underscoring the region's strength in manufacturing and service innovation.

David Hall, managing director of Beverley Leisure Homes, was named Entrepreneur of the Year, while his firm won the Small Business category. The region is a major global hub for the manufacture of holiday homes and static caravans.

Mr Hall, who began his career as an apprentice cabinetmaker, said: “One of the biggest lessons I have learned is being comfortable with the stuff I don’t know, and surrounding myself with amazing people. They’ve been the ones that have filled in the gaps that I couldn’t - and there are plenty of those gaps!”

Soanes Poultry, a family-run business in Middleton-on-the-Wolds, secured the Large Business of the Year title for the second time, alongside the Environmental and Sustainability Award. The firm was recognised for a major refrigeration overhaul designed to improve energy efficiency.

In the technology sector, contact centre operator ResQ was named Best Place to Work and won the Innovation Award for its application of artificial intelligence. Chief executive Gill Marchbank highlighted the company's unique recruitment strategy.

“We have about 1,000 employees now and the biggest change we made was stopping CV applications,” she said. “Everyone who applies gets an interview, and once they are in, they get the best chance to be what they want to be. It is hugely important that our staff stay.”

Hosted by television presenter Gethin Jones, the awards are now stewarded by entrepreneur Simon Jones and events specialist Jane Smallwood.

2025 Roll of Honour

Rising Star Award
Winner: Alex Pollard, RMC Digital Print
Runners-up: Courtney Isaac, Hull & East Yorkshire Mind; Kaitlin Lander, C4DI
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: David Hall, Beverley Leisure Homes
Runners-up: Lucy Cabaniuk, Your Hearing Consultants; Susan Perkins, Crancher Ltd
Charity of the Year
Winner: CatZero
Runners-up: Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University; The Hinge Centre
Start-up Business of the Year
Winner: Mopli Commercial Cleaning
Runners-up: Betto Accommodation Services; Zoomies Pet Transport
Small Business of the Year
Winner: Beverley Leisure Homes
Runners-up: Bauer Engineering Ltd; Risby Homes Ltd
Growth Award
Winner: Fast Forward Vocational Training Ltd
Runners-up: John Good Group; RSN Electrical & Instrumentation Services
Large Business of the Year
Winner: Soanes Poultry
Runners-up: Integra Buildings Ltd; Spencer Group
Best Place to Work
Winner: ResQ Ltd
Runners-up: Sirius Homecare; Smailes Goldie
Innovation Award
Winner: ResQ Ltd
Runners-up: Humber HR People (Yorkshire) Ltd; rrelentless
Environmental & Sustainability Award
Winner: Soanes Poultry
Runners-up: Ashcourt Group; Premier Modular
Team of the Year
Winner: The Deep Education Team
Runners-up: Ideal Heating Engineering Team; Lampada Rail Solutions Railwhere Team; rradar Marketing Team
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Peter Brown

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