A social enterprise involved in property management and construction has won a monthly business award.

Huddersfield-based Fresh Horizons Ltd was named Business of the Month in the competition run by law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support body UK Trade & investment.

Fresh Horizons Ltd is a not-for-profit social enterprise delivering a wide range of services from facilities management and construction to nurseries and libraries, housing and more.

Starting out in 2002 by restoring a derelict farm house to create an enterprise centre and providing local employment for construction workers, the company has gone from strength to strength and now employs more than 60 staff.

Focusing mainly in Kirklees, it now manages 14 community centres and commercial properties and has renovated more than 50 long term empty properties to create affordable accommodation, apprenticeship opportunities and employment for construction workers.

The judges praised Fresh Horizons for the wide diversity of its operations – from property renovation to running children’s nurseries and libraries.

All its activities aim to help people by creating sustainable employment and developing the communities they serve.

The judges said: “Fresh Horizon’s growth in the number of employees and apprenticeships and services is commendable and their activities allow for and provide employment throughout the wider community.”

Fresh Horizon managing director Mike McCusker, who accepted the award at Eaton Smith’s High Street offices in Huddersfield, said: “We are delighted to receive this award which reflects the hard work and dedication of our whole team across the many services we deliver.

“It is very rewarding that as a social enterprise we can be judged so favourably against ‘for profit’ companies.”

The awards are open to firms in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.

For further information on the awards, contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389 for go to www.businessofthemonth.co.uk