Big-hitters from the business world celebrated the best companies, entrepreneurs and innovations of the district at the fourth annual Bradford Means Business awards last night.

The glittering black-tie ceremony, held at the Aagrah Midpoint Suite in Thornbury, was hosted by the Telegraph & Argus, with support from Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Bradford Council.

The big winner on the night was Mansfield Pollard, a Bowling-based engineering company which was crowned both Manufacturer of the Year and Winner of Winners.

“The company is changing, it’s evolving, it’s modernising, which is what you have to do to survive,” said managing director, Joanna Robinson.

“To win is absolutely amazing, it’s a thrill, it’s an honour, and this belongs to the team. It’s all about everybody working together, and that’s what we do at Mansfield Pollard.

“I’m blown away, thank you so much.”

In the other categories, Cimlogic were another dual winner, taking home the Business and Technical Innovation of the Year and the Employer of the Year awards.

BRADFORD MEANS BUSINESS AWARDS 2014 PICTURES

The Midland Hotel was named the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Business of the Year, while the Small or Medium Enterprise of the Year was Business Enterprise Fund.

Sovereign Healthcare was crowned Environmental, Health and Social Care Business of the Year, King’s Security named Job Creator of the Year, and Articulate Speech chosen as New Business of the Year.

Amjad Pervez, of Seafresh, took home the Business Personality of the Year award, with Suzanne Johns of Approach PR winning the Woman in Business award.

ALL THE FINALISTS VIDEOS FROM THE BRADFORD MEANS BUSINESS AWARDS

Prior to the awards, speakers included Damian Holmes, deputy editor of the T&A, David Green, the leader of Bradford Council, and Welcome to Yorkshire’s Gary Verity, who delivered a keynote speech on the journey behind bringing the Tour de France’s Grand Depart to the region next month.