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Honour for man helping former prisoners build a better future, one crust at a time.

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The man behind a social enterprise bakery providing jobs and training opportunities for former prisoners is the winner of the Special Recognition Award at this year’s Oldham Business Awards. 

Lee Wakeham of HM Pasties served two prison terms before turning his life around and launching the bakery seven years ago. 

The Special Recognition Award is made by the Oldham Business Award (OBA) steering group to recognise someone who has gone above and beyond for the borough and for society.  

In an interview with Grocer magazine earlier this year, Lee explained that it was during his second jail term that he was recommended to seek counselling by his barrister, which proved a turning point in what had been a troubled life growing up in and out of foster care. 

He later began working with prison leavers in various capacities before hitting on the idea of HM Pasties – which stands for Hand Made Pasties while being a clever play on the prison system that Lee, who now lives in Saddleworth, knew only too well. 

HM Pasties makes about 15,000 pies, pasties and sausage rolls a week and is on track to make a profit for the first time this year, supplying a chain of 46 pubs, sports teams and major foodservice groups. 

At any one time about a quarter of its workforce is either still in prison on day-release or recently released.  

Prison leavers are referred by the prison or probation service and spend three months working at the bakery on Pennant Industrial Estate while Lee and his team find them a permanent job elsewhere, thus creating an opportunity for a new prison leaver.  

New venue and new categories

More than 450 people attended the Great Gatsby-themed Oldham Business Awards evening, held at The Loom in Oldham for the first time after 17 years at the town’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. 

And it proved an excellent night for First Choice Homes: Oldham. The housing association, which owns and manages 11,500 homes across the borough, won a hat trick of awards – Business of the Year £5m+, Supporting Young People and Workforce Health and Wellbeing. 

This year’s awards also included three new categories – Sustainable Innovation, Heart of the High Street and Community Impact Awards won respectively by: 

  • Recycling PVC Ltd, which helps firms and tradespeople recycle scrap uPVC window frames, doors and profile offcuts. 
  • ZUTTI Co, a family-run fashion store first established in 1980. 
  • Fullcircle Community Interest Company NW, which provides youth work, community development, and alternative education programmes. 

Here is a rundown of all the winners: 

  • Special Recognition Award – Lee Wakeham of HM Pasties  
  • Business of the Year £5m+ – First Choice Homes: Oldham. 
  • Business of the Year £1m-£5m – BS Entwistle Electrical Contractors Ltd 
  • Business of the Year up to £1m – Sports Physio UK. 
  • Businessperson of the Year – Melvyn Pryce, Heyside Group 
  • Micro Business of the Year – the Dawn Torrington Award – Eternal Health. 
  • Start-Up – Emplas Commercial (North) Ltd 
  • Young Entrepreneur – Iona Ackerman, Eternal Health. 
  • Community Impact – Fullcircle CIC NW 
  • Supporting Young People – First Choice Homes: Oldham  
  • Workforce Health and Wellbeing – First Choice Homes: Oldham 
  • Sustainable Innovation – Recycling PVC Ltd 
  • Heart of the High Street – ZUTTI Co 
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A large crowd attends a festive indoor event, with colorful purple, green, and yellow spotlights illuminating the space and walls decorated with vertical light patterns. Tables are set throughout the hall.

Hosted by OBA stalwart Caroline Whitmore of ITV Granada Reports, and once again featuring entertainment from radio DJ, comedian and actor Justin Moorhouse, this year’s OBAs were the 18th to recognise business excellence, acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit among Oldham’s business community. 

Live music was provided by The Not Quite Big Band during the gala dinner and continued into the night for the post-awards party. There were also plenty of chances to win some fabulous raffle prizes with all proceeds going to Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. 

Please credit: Josh Bowker Photography/Lumex Events for all imagery

Please note, more images are available on request. 

CONTACT: 

For more information, images and interview requests please contact Nigel Wareing at Cornerstone Design & Marketing: nwareing@cornerstonedm.co.uk 07834 835 922, or 0161 213 9941

About the Oldham Business Awards 

Now in its 18th year, the aim of the Oldham Business Awards celebrates business success whilst also recognising the contribution that businesses make in helping to shape the fabric of Oldham society.  

The Awards reward business excellence amongst companies located within the borough of Oldham, whether it be for wealth creation, innovation, inspirational leadership or good practice in people management, skills development or environmental issues.  

The Awards not only provide exceptional marketing and profile-raising opportunities for the finalists but also provide a unique platform for business networking between companies of all forms and sizes, introducing them to new customers, partners, suppliers and further growth support.  

Each award is judged against criteria based on the award category description with the event designed to enable any business, regardless of size, form or sector to enter and be judged fairly. 

Our sponsors and partners are united in acknowledging the value of the Oldham Business Awards in motivating both existing businesses and our next generation of entrepreneurs to continue to develop, grow, and achieve new goals.  

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Award Categories

The Oldham Business Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of businesses across the borough, recognising excellence in innovation, growth, leadership and community impact. There’s an opportunity for businesses and individuals of all sizes and stages to be recognised for their success and positive influence.

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Two women smiling and holding an award together at a business awards event. They stand in front of a backdrop with sponsor logos and the words Business Awards visible.
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