Success stories and top talent were celebrated at this year’s Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business awards.

Big-hitters from the business world came together to celebrate the district’s best companies, entrepreneurs and innovations at the third annual awards ceremony, held at the Aagrah Midpoint Suite in Thornbury on Saturday.

The glittering black-tie ceremony was hosted by the Telegraph & Argus, with support from Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Bradford Council, and compered by former broadcaster Jon Hammond.

Giving the keynote speech was Peter Marks CBE, who has recently retired as chief of the Co-operative Group.

He said: “I’m a Bradford-born man and I’m very proud of Bradford. Bradford has a tremendous heritage of business, so I’m delighted to be here tonight.”

Mr Marks gave an inspirational account of his rise to the top of the group, which started when he joined the Co-op from St Bede’s School, Bradford, in 1967.

And Mr Marks offered a word of advice to award-winners – to celebrate their success with every member of their organisation.

He said: "Awards are okay, it’s a nice evening, but it means so much more to employees. People who are associated with organisations that win awards get a kick out of it.”

Telegraph & Argus editor Perry Austin-Clarke thanked all those who had entered the awards.

He said: “There were a huge number of fascinating stories of skill, hard work, determination and enterprise, and we’d have liked to give every one of them a trophy.”

And Bradford Council leader Coun David Green gave a speech in which he talked about the importance of the public and private sectors working together.

People also put their hands in their pockets for a good cause.

A game of ‘stand up, sit down bingo’ raised a huge £2,200 for the Telegraph & Argus Crocus Appeal, which aims to fund the next generation of cancer research taking place in the heart of the city.