West Nottinghamshire College has been crowned Business of the Year at the Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2025/26 in recognition of the transformational impact of its Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing.
The flagship Business of the Year title – the top honour of the awards ceremony staged by East Midlands Chamber – recognised the college’s pioneering partnership with global manufacturing leader Haas Automation to create the UK’s first Gene Haas Centre.
The Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing was developed following a £500,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation and significant redevelopment of the college’s engineering facilities. Since opening, the centre has expanded capacity for engineering learners, strengthened links with local manufacturing employers, and created new opportunities for young people to gain advanced machining skills sought by industry.
The state-of-the-art facility, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, is helping tackle the national shortage of skilled machinists while inspiring the next generation of engineers by giving students access to industry-standard CNC equipment, specialist teaching and enhanced progression routes into high-value careers.
Judges praised the centre for delivering a “truly transformational partnership between education and industry”, highlighting increased learner numbers, improved outcomes and stronger staff expertise, as well as its potential to act as a scalable national model.
The accolade capped an exceptional night for the college, which also won the Collaboration of the Year award with Haas for the same pioneering project, and the Education and Business Partnership of the Year award for its trailblazing work with outsourcing and professional services firm Capita, which was recognised for its powerful social impact.
Through a supported internship programme at Capita’s Mansfield operation, ten young people with learning difficulties and disabilities have undertaken placements, six of whom have already secured permanent employment. Capita has created an inclusive workplace, with mentors working alongside job coaches and staff receiving sign language training.
The programme has transformed interns’ confidence and skills, while also enhancing employees’ understanding of disability and teamwork. Its success is now being replicated nationally, with the college supporting other providers to deliver similar high-quality opportunities for young people.
The awards ceremony, held at The Renaissance at Kelham Hall on Thursday 12 March and attended by hundreds of business leaders from across the county, celebrated excellence across Nottinghamshire’s business community.
The evening also brought success for members of the college’s wider community. Construction partner Vaughandale Construction – the contractor behind the current redevelopment of the former Wilko store in Sutton into a new construction campus, and the ongoing refurbishment of the college’s sixth-form centre – won the Commitment to People Development Award, while former computer science student Oliver Whitehouse, of Murphy and Son, was named Apprentice of the Year.
Andrew Cropley MBE, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “It was an incredible night for us at the Nottinghamshire Business Awards. Winning Business of the Year for our Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing was a phenomenal highlight, and to also receive the Collaboration of the Year with Haas and the Education and Business Partnership award with Capita made it even more special.
“We were also thrilled to see our partners at Vaughandale Construction win Commitment to People Development, while our former student Oliver Whitehouse was named Apprentice of the Year.
“These awards reflect not just the facilities and programmes we’ve developed, but the dedication, creativity, and passion of the people who make them happen. I am immensely proud of our teams – from Ben Toule and his colleagues at the Gene Haas Centre to Louise Dakin and her team supporting the Capita internships – whose commitment transforms lives every day.
“I am so grateful to Haas, Capita and all of the employers who work with us and help us to create transformative experiences for our students, and I hope these awards will encourage even more businesses to come and talk to us about how we can create the workforce of the future together.”
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The Nottinghamshire Business Awards are a special moment in the calendar where valuable connections are built and people at every role in a firm can share its recognition. Outstanding achievement is showcased, whether across the whole business, an inspirational leader or promising apprentice.
“Congratulations to all the finalists and to the category winners for their amazing achievements. I would like to thank all the sponsors and partners for their part in delivering such a memorable event.”
The latest accolades continue a strong run of recognition for the college. Last month, it celebrated multiple successes at the Discover Ashfield Awards, where its Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing. was named Best Skills Provider. In the same category, the college’s DFN Project SEARCH programme – which supports young people with learning difficulties and disabilities into employment through supported internships – was also recognised as runner-up in the same category.