FOR a business to run successfully, a top-class manager is as important as those at the very top, and those on the ground.

The three in this category are the best of the best in Bradford for motivating and investing in employees, while individually contributing to the success of the overall business.

A variety of businesses and groups were showcased here.

Nicky Driver began heading up non-match day events at Bradford City when CGC Event Caterers took over the catering/events in 2014.

She also oversees the boardroom on match days.

Tammy Longley started working for Jurys Inn in 2010, three months before the hotel opened.

She has a passion for driving the business forward and takes pride in helping take Jurys Inn from a blank canvas to where it is now.

But, the winner in the category was James Ellison, from Specsavers.

Mr Ellison was at the event, but was unable to pick up his award and for a very valid reason.

The Specsavers manager's partner is currently pregnant and the pair had to dash to hospital before Mr Ellison's award was announced.

The T&A caught up with Mr Ellison after the awards to check how things were going.

He said: "Everyone's fine thank you very much, we got everything double checked.

"Obviously heartfelt apologies we weren’t there but everyone is very well."

On winning the award, Mr Ellison said: "It's incredible, it’s a big surprise, you never think when you get nominated you'll actually win it.

"There were quite a lot of people there and to beat everyone else is really good and it sort of indicates what we do."

The manager is a Specsavers through and through, and has a clear passion for his staff in the city.

For Mr Ellison, there are a number of elements to showcasing "good management".

He said: "I think, as I said as part of my initial interview, its leading by example and making sure you are always there to answer people's questions and making sure you get the best results, by being able to make a decision and not dithering.

"Being the sort of person who people can come and ask for advice.

"So it's not shying away in an office, its being front and centre, from first thing in a morning to last thing at night."