Group55 has been named Business of the Year at the 2026 BIBAs, one of the North West’s most respected business awards. The team also won Medium Business of the Year and Scale Up Business of the Year, taking home three of the night’s awards.

The win marks a remarkable journey for a business founded in Lancashire in 1999 by Stephen Turner, with just £700.

From Micro Business to Business of the Year

Group55 is no stranger to the BIBAs. In 2018, the business was named Micro Business of the Year, when it employed fewer than ten people.

Today, Group55 employs 150 people, manufactures millions of liquid personal care, pet care and home care products each year for some of the world’s biggest brands, as well as its own brand, Animology.

Stephen Turner, Founder and Chairman, said:

“When we won Micro Business of the Year in 2018, I stood on stage and said I wanted Group55 to be the first company to win Micro, Small, Medium and Business of the Year. We never managed Small, largely because we grew too quickly, but on Friday night we completed the journey.

“Sitting in that room, surrounded by some of Lancashire’s most respected business leaders, I felt for the first time like I genuinely belonged. None of it is down to one person. It belongs to our team past and present, our customers and partners, and my family, who backed me from the very beginning. If it shows anything, it’s that where you start in life doesn’t have to determine where you finish.”

Growth through transformation

The awards follow an 18-month period of significant change for Group55. The business has consolidated its operations from three sites into one, bringing its teams, laboratories, production, warehousing, and fulfilment together under one roof, while continuing to deliver strong growth.

Rob Banks, Managing Director, said:

“Group55’s recent history has been transformational. We’ve brought three sites together into one while continuing to grow. These awards recognise a team that adapts, solves problems and never loses sight of our customers. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone at Group55.”

For customers, the site consolidation means a more joined-up service, from product development and formulation through to production and fulfilment, with the capacity to support brands as they grow.

Built on people and purpose

As a certified B Corp, Group55 is committed to using business as a force for good, with a focus on its people, its community and the environment. That commitment, together with the team behind it, sits at the heart of the business’s success.

The judging process included written submissions, interviews and site tours. It gave the judges a first-hand view of the business and the people who make it work.

Just getting started

For Group55, the awards are a milestone rather than a finish line. With a single, scalable site and a growing team, the business is well placed for its next chapter of growth.

If you’re a brand looking for a UK contract manufacturer that can grow with you, get in touch with our team.

This partnership is about far more than fundraising. It’s about broadening horizons, building confidence and helping young people see opportunities they may never have imagined for themselves.

Why the Dame Robina Shah Foundation?

The Dame Robina Shah Foundation is doing inspiring work through its Futuremakers: Opening Doors programme, which supports young people from communities where access to networks, enrichment and real-world career opportunities is not always equal.

The programme is designed to provide meaningful, real‑world experiences that help young people grow in confidence, develop aspirations and prepare for the world of work. From digital skills and entrepreneurship to mentoring, employer encounters and industry immersion, Futuremakers helps students understand what’s possible,  and believe that it’s achievable.

What makes the Foundation especially distinctive is its focus on long‑term development, not just one‑off experiences. Young people build skills, confidence and evidence over time, supported by committed partners and mentors.

What This Partnership Will Look Like

Over the coming year, Group55 will be supporting the Dame Robina Shah Foundation in several ways.

Alongside regular financial contributions, we’re excited to open our doors and give students direct access to the people, environments and opportunities that bring careers to life.

As part of the partnership, we’re looking forward to:

• Welcoming students into Group55 for immersive, behind‑the‑scenes careers experiences
• Showcasing the wide range of roles that exist across manufacturing and the beauty sector, from lab and technical teams to engineering, warehouse operations, marketing, commercial, finance and purchasing
• Supporting a follow‑on product development challenge, where students can take their ideas further and pitch them back in a Dragon’s Den‑style format
• Helping young people build confidence, skills and evidence that contribute towards their DRSF Honours journey

We believe exposure, conversation and real experiences can be transformational, especially when young people can see themselves reflected in the world of work.

The DRSF Honours Framework

A truly special part of the Foundation’s work is its Honours framework, which recognises young people through a structured Bronze, Silver and Gold pathway.

This framework celebrates growth, participation, leadership and achievement, giving young people something tangible to work towards and be proud of. The Foundation’s heraldic badge plays an important role too, acting as a symbol of dignity, aspiration and belonging.

It’s a powerful approach that recognises effort and progress, not just outcomes.

Why This Matters to Group55

This partnership reflects what matters deeply to us at Group55.

As a B Corp certified business, we’re committed to creating positive impact, not only through the products we make, but through the opportunities we help create for others. Supporting social mobility, education and access to opportunity aligns closely with our values and our belief in responsible business.

We’re excited about what lies ahead and proud to play our part in helping the next generation build confidence, unlock potential and step into their futures with belief.

Founded in 1999, we have built a reputation as an innovative and reliable partner for brands in the personal care sector. In recent months, we has relocated to a state-of-the-art 8-acre site, in Chorley, Lancashire, which has undergone a £2million refurbishment, and also benefits from a £1.8million solar panel installation. This move has more than doubled our production capacity, integrated sustainability features such as solar panels, and houses three laboratories for product development, testing, and innovation.

Becoming a Certified B Corp underscores Group55’s commitment to operating responsibly across its business, from employee wellbeing to environmental stewardship, and demonstrates its dedication to long-term value for customers, partners, and the wider community.

“Achieving B Corp certification is a proud milestone for Group55,” said Stephen Turner, Founder & Chairman.

“It recognises the way we’ve always tried to run our business, balancing innovation, quality, and growth with responsibility to our people, our partners, and the environment. Moving to our new site has allowed us to expand sustainably, and this certification confirms that our efforts are making a measurable difference.”

“Our journey over the past 26 years has been incredible,” Turner added. “We continue to innovate, support our clients across the full spectrum of personal care manufacturing, and now we have the B Corp certification as an independent validation of our values and approach.”

Group55’s certification as a B Corp positions the company as a leader in responsible manufacturing within the personal care sector, reinforcing its long-standing reputation for quality, innovation, and customer-focused service.

Find out more about what we do.

Currently operating across three sites in Buckshaw Village and Leyland, this strategic move will bring all business functions together under one roof. The former Halewood Distillery at Ackhurst Park, Chorley, will undergo a £2 million refurbishment to create one of the largest and most technically advanced manufacturing sites of its kind in the UK.

Group55 is a leading strategic manufacturing brand partner in the personal care, pet care, and home care sectors, working with brand owners, retailers, and celebrity entrepreneurs. Part of the expansion plans include the installation of a state-of-the-art innovation laboratory from which the very latest beauty and household cleaning products will be developed.

Group55’s commitment to sustainability and providing a world class work environment for their employees is at the core of the refurbishment plans.

Preston born, Stephen Turner, who is the Founder and Chairman of Group55, comments, “This move marks a transformative milestone for Group55. We are a proud, long-standing, Lancastrian business working with some of the biggest brands and celebrities in the UK and it is exciting to be able to invest further in Chorley to make a positive impact to our customers, employees and our local community.”

He continues, “Group55 is a key player in our market sector, employing more than 100 people from the local area. South Ribble has a remarkable wealth of talented, skilled, and hardworking people and our success is due to our amazing team. I am looking forward to seeing more people join us and enjoy the benefits of working with an exciting and growing company.”

Work on the refurbishment has already begun, with a phased relocation to the new site planned throughout 2025.

Want to join the team at Group55? Check out our Careers page for opportunities to work with us.

Group55 was founded by Stephen Turner in 1999 with just £700, and the business began life as an ecommerce business at the very start of the popularity of the internet. Offering ecommerce sales and fulfilment services for brands who didn’t know where to start. Stephen comments, “Group55 started in a tiny, old, run down unit with no toilet but it did have electricity and everything grew from there! We worked with a small number of clients managing their ecommerce activities and grew to become consultants giving advice to major brands and retailers on the emerging digital economy helping them navigate brand narratives, product portfolios, customer engagement and distribution in this revolutionary space. We found a particular success within the pet sector!”

Seeing the opportunity within the pet industry, Stephen and Group55 launched their first pet care brand, Animology. Taking inspiration from the human, personal care market this brand was at the forefront of the trend of humanisation in the pet care space. Stephen continues, “At the time, all the pet shampoos on shelf followed the same pattern and they all looked like each other. We launched our sleek black tubes and bottles with bold colour accents and functional products with fun names, like ‘Stink Bomb’, ‘Dogs Body’ and ‘Puppy Love’ to disrupt the category and attract pet owners in a way that resonated with how they shop for their own beauty products.”

As Animology grew in success, pet retailers and other pet brands approached us to manage their own pet care ranges and we started creating private label pet care products shortly after. After a number of years working with contract manufacturers, Stephen and the team were unable to find the service level they required so set on the next phase of the journey and set up our own manufacturing facility in 2017. Stephen continues, “We had grown unhappy with the service we were receiving from our contract manufacturer at the time, and after exploring alternative options we couldn’t find anything better, so we decided to set up our own manufacturing facility and vowed to do things differently – we understand what it means to be a brand owner and the challenges that this can bring, so we wanted to become a supportive partner to other brand owners in creating their products. We hired some exceptional talent to help get set up and haven’t looked back since.”

This expansion, and the experience of our new team then opened the doors for Group55 to create products for personal care and household products as well as continuing in the pet care space. Today, we continue to grow and thrive as a contract manufacturer, and we also offer in-house co-packing, warehousing and fulfilment, offering a full 360°service from concept to delivery. Stephen reflects, “We’ve been on quite a journey over the past 25 years, and I’ve always been a big believer in looking at the future state, we’re exploring some of the most innovative technological advances in the space and who knows where the next 25 years will take us. What I do know for sure is, we have something unique to offer to our customers as we’ve been right where they are –  and we get it! That gives us a really strong foundation for collaborative, partnership based relationships with our customers; if we can help our customers become successful, we become more successful. Here’s to the next 25 years.”

Kate Horton – Director of Technical Services

Tell us a little about your background…

“I always had a passion for science and actually wanted to be a forensic scientist in the early days (probably watching to many crime dramas) so I did my degree in Forensic Science!

Once graduated I found myself at a contract manufacturer working in Pet nutraceuticals doing quality control and regulatory affairs. My focus then changed to research and development (R&D), cooking up interesting formulations and spent 4 years creating many different personal care formulations for all sorts of clients.

I was then presented with an offer I couldn’t refuse from Group55, the proposition was to create an R&D lab from scratch, to be able to build my own team, source all equipment and set up protocols including in-house testing. As a young chemist, I recognised this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that couldn’t be missed.

Since then, we have created and manufactured a huge amount of products in the personal care and pet care sector. I also won the 2020 Lancashire Business View Sub 36 Made in Lancashire Award for creating a moisturising alcohol hand gel during the covid pandemic which was a pretty proud moment for me!”

When did you know you wanted to have a career in science?

“I always loved science at school, conducting experiments and understanding what happens when you add materials to other materials. Whilst I loved the subject, I didn’t think I would be smart enough to gain a career in science, mainly due to being dyslexic. But I followed my passion and worked hard and I think I’ve done alright since then!”

What is your favourite part of your job?

“My job has evolved from being experimental in the lab to being more strategic at a Director level. What I really love day to day is talking to new clients about their ideas and how we can support and inspire them on their journey to create a finished product. I also really enjoy scale-up chemistry, taking a product from the lab bench of 2kg to large volumes in the factory, particularly when the formulations are complex.

What would your advice be to women and young girls considering a career in science?

“Don’t think you aren’t worthy, always have confidence in your own ability and just go for it. Even if something looks scary, it’s always worth jumping in as it may be the best decision you ever make. That’s what I did and I couldn’t be happier!”

Monika Panditputra – Junior Development Chemist

Tell us a little about your background…

“I did my undergraduate studies at Mumbai University in India where I gained by BSc in Botany. I’ve always had a passion for science and also enjoyed teaching Biology and Chemistry to grades 9-10 for 4 years in India. I then moved to the UK for postgraduate studies and gained my MSc in Cosmetic Science at Liverpool John Moores University and joined Group55 after graduating! Continuing on the path of study I’m currently pursuing my Diploma in Cosmetic Science by SCS (Society of Cosmetic Science) whilst working as a Junior Development Chemist at Group55.”

When did you know you wanted to have a career in science?

“I’ve found plants and animals fascinating for as long as I can remember and always had a curiosity about all things science. In school, I really enjoyed my science classes and practical lab sessions where we got to conduct experiments. Once I was introduced to a microscope at school I was hooked! I knew I wanted to study those microbes further. My initial pursuits in my career centred around plants and fragrances and I did a range of perfumery courses in India too which cemented my decision to pursue science!”

What is your favourite part of your job?

“Product innovation has been my favourite part of the job so far. It allows me to play with different textures, ingredients, colours, fragrances… No limits! It’s so fun to be able to start with an idea or a curiosity and see what we can create to offer to our customers.

I also have a secret love for colour matching for certain products and trying to get it close to the brief and ensuring colour consistency across batches – it can sometimes be a challenge but it’s fun and so satisfying when we get it right!”

What would your advice be to women and young girls considering a career in science?

“Not just for women considering a career in science, but for absolutely any field, if you set your sights on something, go and get it! If you commit to your goal and give it all that you’ve got, the wonders of science won’t disappoint you.”

Elise Roberts – Lab Technician

Tell us a little about your background…

“My background isn’t actually that closely tied to cosmetic science, in fact, I combined my hobby and love for horses with my passion for science and gained my BSc in Equine Science from Myerscough College.

Upon graduating, I then worked in a respiratory and covid lab for 1 year which was really interesting, but ultimately showed me that microbiology wasn’t the field for me – so I started looking for other roles in science where I found the opportunity in 2022 with Group55! After doing some research I thought it could be very fitting for me and aligned with my interests personally as well – cosmetics and pet care.”

When did you know you wanted to have a career in science?

“I’d always found myself drawn to science throughout school and my childhood and I studied applied science and psychology at a-levels. This is where I knew for sure that science was the path for me to follow!”

What is your favourite part of your job?

“As Lab Technician, I take a lot of responsibility for our in-house testing ensuring the quality of the products we produce. But I’d have to say my favourite part of my job is making batches and helping Monika with innovation projects – There is so much creativity and innovation happening in the technical department at Group55 and working in such an exciting environment is one side of the job that I really enjoy.“

What would your advice be to women and young girls considering a career in science?

“My advice would be that just because one aspect of science may not be your cup of tea there will be a topic/subject within science that will catch your eye and spark your passion. There is so much more to science than the basics taught in school – For example, in school, it would have never crossed my mind that a career in science would mean creating leading beauty and pet products!

Once you start your career and take that step, listen to your peers and take in everyone’s wisdom, but also be inquisitive, theorise, experiment and find the fun and joy in what you do.”

Want to work with our incredible chemists to develop your products? You can get in touch with us here.

Kate won the ‘Made in Lancashire’ award, a category dedicated to picking out the brightest young talent in the manufacturing and engineering industries. The judges were impressed with Kate’s story, which has seen her play a big role in Group55’s journey from being a brand owner to becoming a premium contract manufacturer of personal care and pet care products.

Over the past four years, Kate has been a key contributor to the creation of a new manufacturing facility and has been single-handedly responsible for the specification, installation and management of two laboratories (Testing and R&D). Subsequently, she built a team of talented formulation chemists who have formulated hundreds of successful personal care and pet care products for Group55’s private label customers.

More recently, she project led the company’s immediate response to the demands of Covid19, and the national requirement for hand sanitiser, ensuring the professional manufacture of more than one million bottles of high quality hand gel which was supplied to large public and private sector organisations around the UK.

Upon receiving the award, she commented “It was an honour to be nominated for the Made in Lancashire award by my colleagues and I’m over the moon to have won. Working at Group55 has given me the opportunity to help shape the direction of the business, whilst still being able to do what I love most – creating exciting new products for some amazing brands.”

Group55’s Managing Director, Stephen Turner, spoke proudly following Kate’s win. “We’re all extremely proud of Kate, but not in the least bit surprised. With an exemplary and inspirational ‘can do’ attitude, Kate has helped Group55 become one of the fastest growing contract manufacturers in the UK and I have no doubt that she will be instrumental in the company’s continued success.”