Industrial waste management firm named York and North Yorkshire’s top ranked business for 2026
The region’s business community gathers at York St John University for the prestigious Top 100 awards.
The best performing and most impactful businesses in York and North Yorkshire have been unveiled at a high-profile event at York St John University this afternoon. Hosted by York Business School in partnership with York Press, the York and North Yorkshire Top 100 awards are an annual showcase of the region’s most significant businesses and a celebration of the contribution they make to the local economy.
From long established names who’ve put North Yorkshire in the international spotlight to rapidly expanding start-ups, the diverse list of winners was announced at a special ceremony in our award-winning Creative Centre in front of around 150 attendees. The invited audience included business leaders and key economic representatives from the region including York’s Civic Party and David Skaith, Mayor of York & North Yorkshire.
First established in 2017 as the York Top 100, the awards have gone from strength to strength. In 2024 they expanded to include the wider North Yorkshire region following the establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The rankings are formulated by detailed business performance data analysis, conducted by Doug Meikle and Aleena Kareem from York Business School. They identify the most successful firms driving the local economy based on data from turnover, profit, growth, and staff numbers. They highlight organisations that are not only growing but also making a meaningful contribution to their communities.
The overall winner was UNTHA UK. Based in Roecliffe, and boasting a heritage of more than 50 years, UNTHA are the leading supplier of industrial shredders in the UK.
Other winners of the 2026 awards are as follows:
- Top Growth – Serious Sweet Holdings
- Top Manufacturing – Power Plastics Ltd
- Top Tourism – No.1 York
- Top Community Interest Company (CIC)- QueerArts UK CIC
- Top Small Business – Permaquip UK
- Top Creative – York Civic Trust
- Top Social Impact – Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate
- Top Professional Services – NM Group (Network Mapping)
Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John University, presented the awards. She highlighted the University’s vital role in supporting and empowering the region’s business community:
“Across York and North Yorkshire, local businesses are thriving in our historic city centres, in market towns and in evolving industrial areas. From manufacturing to retail, and consultancy to creative industries, each business plays a vital role in driving growth and shaping a region where people want to live, work, visit and invest.
“York St John is proud to work alongside the business community in supporting this social and economic development. From the quality research which underpins the Top 100 list, to the partnerships we have fostered with local businesses. By working together, across sectors, we have the ability to benefit from the skills of our respective workforces, and the talent of students as they go on to become the next generation of skilled employees, leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.”
Professor Brendan Paddison, Dean of York Business School at York St John University said:
“We see our role as helping to create the conditions that allow businesses and communities to thrive. And that’s why what we do is designed to support the ambitions set out in both the Government’s Industrial Strategy and the York and North Yorkshire Economic Framework
“Both recognise that future prosperity will be driven by skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and productivity. They also recognise that achieving those ambitions depends on collaboration between businesses, universities and the public sector.
“The success of York and North Yorkshire will not be determined by any single organisation. It will be determined by the strength of our partnerships, our willingness to collaborate, and our ability to invest in the next generation of talent and leaders.”
Marcus Brew, Managing Director of UNTHA UK was proud to accept the overall winner award:
“To be recognised by your peers at the University and also in the wider business community is absolutely fantastic. I’m really really proud for the company and for everyone who works at UNTHA UK – it’s very special.”
In keeping with the York Business School aim to create positive change in business and society, attendees were also able to hear more about ways its students and staff can support the wider community such as through the free Law Clinic and York Business Clinic.
York St John University’s Apprenticeships team were also on hand, showcasing fresh opportunities for local firms to take advantage of the ‘earn while you learn’ pathway. Thomas Burton, Head of Apprenticeship Delivery at York St John University said:
“The Top 100 event provided an excellent opportunity to share details of our growing apprenticeship portfolio with key business contacts in the region. Connecting with employers at events like this offers a chance to demystify the apprenticeships process, answering questions about how they’re funded and why they play a critical role in addressing the government’s skills gap strategy.
“We’re proud to offer an established Project Management Degree Apprenticeship, alongside new programmes in Creative Digital Design and Data Science, with applications still open for a September start. These programmes are designed to help businesses upskill their teams in key areas that support growth and scaling.”
The ceremony drew to a close with a key announcement from York Business School that 2026 will see the return of York Business Festival across 2 days in October. Save the date for Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October!
Pictured (above): Professor Brendan Paddison Dean of York Business School at York St John University and Marcus Brew MD UNTHA UK. Image credit: York St John University