The celebrations begin for manufacturer Niftylift after the company was named Business of the Year.
Join the celebrations at Milton keynes Business Achievement Awards 2025.
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ITS COMMITMENT to training and to developing the next generation of talent has earned the company a string of accolades and industry-wide recognition. Now high-access platform manufacturer Niftylift takes centre stage once more after being named Business of the Year at the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards.
The company, based at Shenley Wood and recipient of a King’s Award for Enterprise last year, led the winners at a gala dinner and ceremony at Stadium MK.
The theme of this year’s awards was Bridging the Gap: Skills & Learning for Our Future Workforce, aiming to highlight the vital need to address the ongoing skills gap affecting local businesses.
Many of this year’s winners across the 16 award categories exemplified a commitment to workforce development, innovation, and making a positive impact in their respective industries, said MKBAA host Nicholas Mann, chair of the organiser Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership.
Niftylift is a global name in manufacturing and supply chain solutions. The company, founded in 1985 in a garden shed in Bedfordshire by its current chairman Roger Bowden, has demonstrated exceptional training, skills development, and innovation, the awards judges said.
Its international expansion and commercial success continue to drive local job creation and economic growth, making the company a stand-out winner.
More than 500 guests in the ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton in the stadium also rose to applaud Outstanding Contribution award recipient Monica Ferguson. The chief executive and artistic director of The Stables at Wavendon was hailed for her transformative impact on the cultural landscape of Milton Keynes.
Under her leadership, The Stables has become a beacon for live music and arts, while her role in launching IF: Milton Keynes International Festival has engaged over 1.5 million people and elevated the city’s cultural standing nationally and internationally, said Nicholas.
“MKBAA once again served as a powerful platform for recognising the city’s dynamic and forward-thinking community, celebrating organisations and individuals who are not only driving economic growth but also making a tangible difference through skills development and social impact,” he added.
“This year’s winners truly exemplify the best of Milton Keynes and we are proud to celebrate their achievements. A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners for making this event possible. We could not do it without you.”
MKBAA 2025 WINNERS
Skills & Learning Sponsor: MK Education Awards
WINNER: MK SNAP
Innovation & Technology Sponsor: Helix
WINNER: Autotech Connect
Leisure & Entertainment
WINNER: Climb Quest Milton Keynes
Built Environment Sponsor: Milton Keynes Development Partnership
WINNER: Kirkby Diamond
Business Impact in the Community Sponsor: EMW Law
WINNER: Cranswick Convenience Foods
New Business
WINNER: Chapter 25 Book Club
Culture & Arts
WINNER: MK Music Academy
Charity of the Year Sponsor: MK Community Foundation
WINNER: Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation
Celebrating Diversity Sponsor: Forvis Mazars
WINNER: Women Leaders
Small & Medium Business Sponsor: Stratstone BMW
WINNER: Mixxos Group
Micro Business
WINNER: The Willen Ice Cream Company
Design & Creativity Sponsor: GIANT
Winner: Chameleon Live
Customer Service Sponsor: Holiday Inn Milton Keynes
WINNER: Personal Group
Professional Services
WINNER: Howes Percival LLP
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Sponsor: Barclays
WINNER: Niftylift Ltd
Entrepreneur of the Year
WINNER: Karim Kassam
Outstanding Contribution
WINNER: Monica Ferguson
Business of the Year Sponsor: MHA
WINNER: Niftylift Ltd
Headline sponsors for MKBAA 2025 were Milton Keynes City Council, The Open University, Brioche Pasquier and Milton Keynes College Group.
Relive MKBAA 2025 at www.mkbaa.co.uk.
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