SPONSORED by Exa Networks, the New Business of the Year award is open to companies in the district that have set up in 2021 and can demonstrate imagination, sound planning and exceptional marketing delivery.

This coveted award for the Bradford Means Business Awards 2022 recognises the brightest new businesses and the contribution they will make to the region in the future.

Judges will be tasked with analysing business plans, achievements to date and potential for growth within the next few years.

Oikos Family Centres, an organisation commissioned by local authorities that works to keep families together, won the award in 2021.

Their Bradford centre in Little Germany, which helps people who want to explore solutions to parent their child effectively, is one of only 59 similar centres in the country.

After winning the award last year, director Rehana Akbar, said: "We are absolutely elated. We have only been up and running for a year.

“We are a very unique service in Bradford. This is the reason why this was set up.

“Mostly families are usually sent wider afield away from their hometown. It shouldn’t have to be like that.”

Another director, Simmy Sekhon, added: “The staff have been amazing and it has also been down to fantastic leadership through Rehana and our operational director Peter Davis. We have all worked really hard.

“The main thing is we love to keep families together."