AN apprentice design engineer who has demonstrated maturity and flair has won Apprentice/Young Achiever of the Year at the 2017 Halton Business Awards/

Stacey Hammond, 22, joined water purification company Arvia Technology on The Heath Business and Technical Park less than a year ago with little knowledge of design.

Yet with hard work and determination she has already made a big impression and demonstrated a natural flair for design.

Products and project engineer Edward Lowe, who coaches Stacey, said: “We started her off on 2D basic design and built up her knowledge.

“She has transitioned effortlessly onto 3D design. I have taken her under my wing. She is very much my deputy. I am passing more complicated designs onto her.

“She is currently designing a small laboratory scale unit for a customer in China. She has generated considerable income for the company and has a promising future ahead.”

The other four finalists were Jonathan Blakemore, Aqueous Digital, Liam Harris, Arvia Technology, Jonathan Jenkins, Display Team UK and James Owen, Viking Sports Foundation.

Full list of winners

Apprentice/Young Achiever of the Year: Stacey Hammond, Arvia Technology

Made in Halton: Tall Security Print

Astmoor Business Improvement District Award: Computer Disposals Ltd

Halebank Business Improvement District Award: Hough Green Garage

Keep It Green: Kawneer UK Ltd

Social Enterprise of the Year: Runcorn Veterans Association

International Business of the Year: Conren

Excellent Customer Service: Freight First Ltd

Innovation in Health and Wellbeing: d3t Ltd

New Business of the Year: Cheshire Bathrooms and Tiles Ltd

Marketing Excellence: Aqueous Digital

The Halton Foundation Award for Responsible Business: Anthony’s Travel

Entrepreneur of the Year: Paul Ward, Paragon PE

Services to Business and The Chamber in Halton: Paula Cain, chief executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce

Halton Business of the Year: Computer Disposals Ltd

Highly commended: Kawneer UK Ltd (Astmoor Business Improvement District Award), Melo World Ltd (Halebank Business Improvement District Award), Hardman Office and Commercial Cleaning (Excellent Customer Service), Esposito’s Deli (New Business of the Year).