Direct2florist has been crowned winner of the People’s Choice Greater Manchester Family Business Award 2020.
The award, one of the most prestigious categories of The North West Family Business Awards, was voted for by the general public and recognises family businesses that go the extra mile to deliver outstanding products and customer service across the region. Direct2florist beat stiff competition from family businesses of all shapes and sizes to scoop the title, which was presented earlier this year at a ceremony held at the high-flying surrounds of the Concorde Exhibition Centre at Manchester Airport.
The Family Business Network, which organises The North West Family Business Awards commented that support from the public who helped select the winners of the People’s Choice Award was outstanding – a total of 4,537 votes were cast.
“This award means a lot to everybody at Direct2florist, especially as it was voted for by the public,” commented Direct2Florist’s Managing Director, Simon Stirling. “It’s great recognition for the whole team at Direct2florist HQ and all of the talented florists who support the Direct2florist ethos and work tirelessly to deliver the best flowers day-in-day-out.
“We’re proud to be a successful family business growing in a competitive floral gift market dominated by big name multinational corporates. It’s clear from our customer feedback and loyalty that our success is built around the values that come from being a family business. We’re not a faceless business – we’re full of people who care, we support independent businesses on our high streets, we reinvest in the business rather than satisfying investors or shareholders and we will always go the extra mile for our customers to ensure we deliver the best flowers time and time again. That’s why we founded Direct2florist in the first place. I know this award would make my parents, who were key to the initial set-up and growth of the business, extremely proud indeed.”
Sue Howorth, Founder and co-director of The Family Business Network said: “This has been a fantastic event, which really has celebrated the great work family businesses do, which enriches their communities and the country’s economy.
“The response from the business sector and the public has been fantastic for this inaugural event. We had 192 entries from across Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria.”
Jacqui Jackson from family business consultancy Thomas Jardine & Co and 2020 North West Awards Chair of Judges added: “The number and quality of applications from across the North West have been outstanding. The businesses are clearly proud to be family businesses, and the detail in many of the entries has demonstrated that they are very progressive and innovative.”