It was a birthday bash for Huddersfield’s best and brightest businesses.

The 10th annual Examiner Business Awards drew a capacity attendance at the John Smith’s Stadium last night – when there was a surprise present for one of the town’s foremost entrepreneurs.

The winners of 10 hotly-contested categories stepped up to receive their trophies and certificates recognising outstanding achievement in areas such as exporting, innovation, creativity and community involvement. Other trophies included ones for new businesses, employers and employees, small and medium-sized firms and inspiring young business people.

The biggest award of the night went to businessman Richard Butterfield, of Waterloo-based Principle Global, who was named Chadwick Lawrence and Stafflex Business Person of the Year.

The award was presented by Sarah Haller, partner of law firm Chadwick Lawrence, and Nadio Granata, head of marketing of recruitment agency Stafflex – joint sponsors of the category and the overall awards.

Earlier in the evening, the sell-out audience heard from guest speaker and self-made millionaire Dave Fishwick who told how his idea for helping customers caught up in the 2008 credit crunch and its aftermath has grown to provide finance for businesses and funds for good causes.

Under the slogan “Bank on Dave!” and using the correct legal channels, David secured the necessary documentation needed to issue loans ranging from small personal loans to finance for businesses – relying not on credit scores but by treating customers as individuals.

Once everything was in place to enable Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd to provide loans, he turned his attention towards savings – finding a way to offer 5% AER at a time when the major banks were offering much lower rates of interest.

Dave said the first turning point in his life was when he fought back against the school bully and beat him.

He added: “From that day to this I haven’t been frightened of anything or anyone and I will never be bullied by anyone again.”

He swapped life as a builder’s labourer to buy and sell used cars, then vans and finally became the biggest minibus salesman in the country.

Examiner Business Awards 2015 at The John Smith's Stadium.Guest speaker Dave Fishwick of "Bank of Dave"

He gave the audience four rules for business: 1 – never lose money, 2 – never forget rule one, 3 – never give up, 4 – never ever give up.

He said: “My ultimate goal is to have a community bank in every town and city in the UK. If we did we could rescue a million businesses and that would be job done.”

The 2015 Examiner Business Awards drew many dozens of top-notch entries – posing a difficult task for the judging panel.

The awards evening included a raffle for Kirkwood Hospice which has raised more than £1,000.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration who hosted the awards.

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Richard Butterfield wins Business Person of Year Award

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Examiner Business Awards 2015: Control F1 wins the Innovation and Enterprise Award

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Reliance Precision win Employer of the Year

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Sally Willis of Fantastic Media wins Employee of the Year

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Examiner Business Awards 2015: Cummins Turbo Technologies wins the Community Award

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Amy Wray, of Applegate Properties, wins Young Business Person of the Year

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Pivot Care wins New Business of the Year

Examiner Business Awards 2015: Progress Packaging wins the Creative Impact Award