Meet Our Distinguished Panel of Judges for our 2024 awards!
Behind the scenes of the Wigan Borough Business Awards 2024 stands our panel of judges, each considered an expert in their respective fields. Handpicked for their expertise, these accomplished professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and a discerning eye to the evaluation process. Their commitment to fairness and excellence ensures that the awards reflect the highest standards of achievement within our business community. As guardians of impartiality and champions of merit, our judges play a pivotal role in shaping an event that recognises the outstanding contributions of businesses and individuals across the Wigan Borough.
Cllr. David T. Molyneux, MBE
Executive Leader – Wigan Council
David Molyneux was elected to the Council in 1982 for the Ince Ward. He is an engineer by profession and in the latter part of his career was the Head of Purchasing in the Aerospace industry. Since being elected David has served the Council in a number of positions including Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and has served on the Housing, Highway and Works and Policy and Resources Committees.
David was elected Leader of Wigan Council in May 2018 after holding the position of Deputy for the previous 10 years where he had responsibility for the environment and regeneration. As Leader he retains the Portfolio for Economic Development and Regeneration. He also holds the GMCA portfolio for Resources/Finance
David represents the Council on a number of outside bodies:
- Wigan Metropolitan Development Company
- Joint Chair of the ICC Health Committee.
- Chair of Wigan Enterprise Board
- Chair Greater Manchester UK Shared Prosperity Fund Board
- Former Director on the Manchester Airport Group.
- Member of Wigan Athletic Community Trust
David is a keen sports fan and follows both Wigan Athletic FC, Wigan Warriors RLFC and Leigh Leopards RLFC.
David was honoured to receive an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2022 for services to the community and local government.
Claire burnham
Assistant Director – Skills & Enterprise, Wigan Council
Claire is the Assistant Director, Skills and Enterprise and is passionate about ensuring that all residents in our borough, whatever their background, are given the opportunity to reach their aspirations.
She has 24 years’ experience working for Wigan Council across a variety of roles, working with children, families, communities and businesses, both as a front-line practitioner and as an operational and strategic leader. As a qualified Social Worker, Claire is committed to ensuring that the skills delivery in the borough tackles inequalities head-on and provides pathways into employment, building resilience and better health outcomes and supporting people to live happy and healthy lives.
To this aim she is dedicated to working with businesses and partners to ensure we keep the Wigan and Leigh pound in the Wigan Borough thus supporting the growth of local businesses and providing good jobs and career opportunities for all residents.
Claire has a deep pride for the Borough, she is a keen runner and can be seen regularly on the netball pitch, a strong feminist and mum to three girls.
Ian Walker
Group CEO and founder of 3P Logistics
A born and bred Wiganer and mightily proud of it. Family and “The Latics” aside my extra obsession happens to be the fast paced world of retail fulfilment & logistics and the joys of working with some amazing brands.
As present-day Group CEO and founder of 3P Logistics (3PL) my career has spanned over 30 years to date from shop floor to C Suite. In constant pursuit of business excellence, I’m deeply passionate about developing talent and driving innovation. I enjoy sharing my growth journey and key learnings with other aspiring business people and I take immense satisfaction in seeing other local businesses flourish.
Kara Rose
MD and Owner of KRPR
With over 25 years in the PR industry, Kara Rose launched her own agency, KRPR, in 2007 and operate throughout the UK on high profile, local and national clients and well-known brands. An award-winning agency, KRPR works with businesses across both B2C and B2B sectors as well as being experts in crisis PR.
Kara has proudly led PR campaigns that have gone on to win many industry specific awards for their clients and PR awards for creative campaigns that have made a real difference to the bottom line. Kara herself was also proud to receive the CEO’s award at the Downtown Women in Business Awards.
Kara has sat on the judging panel of many esteemed business awards as well as running awards for clients and is honoured to be one of the hand-picked judges on the Wigan Borough Business Awards 2024.
Louise Brown
Vice Principal – Corporate Services at Wigan and Leigh College
Louise has worked in the public sector specialising in education and children’s services for over 25 years, holding senior management positions and leading a wide range of projects and departments across the business. She holds professional qualifications in HR and Business, including a Masters Degree in Human Resources and Organisational Development. Louise is also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, a qualified Performance Coach with NLP (Neurolinguistics Programming) and a member of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists.
Louise was awarded the prestigious Leader of the Year Award at the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Awards in 2023. She is also an advocate for community engagement and a keen runner regularly raising funds and awareness for both local and national charities.
Steve Critchley
Former Business Owner and Entrepreneur
Steve has been involved in the Wigan business community for over 30 years, in various capacities, at all levels. He is passionate about the local community and encouraging local people to support all aspects of business, leisure and home-grown talent and activity.
Steve has been involved in local amateur sport for over 40 years including fund raising and promoting/developing new members from the younger age groups in the Borough. Steve has supported many charitable organisations in the Wigan area for many years and continues to always endorse this. He is well known in the business community and has been involved with many businesses, business owners and staff over a long period of time.
Steve is looking forward to being involved in the Judging process for the Wigan Borough Business Awards, which will highlight the amazing talent and successful business achievements in the area.
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