Two Stockport businesses shortlisted in 2026 Good Employment Awards

Two Stockport businesses are among those shortlisted in Greater Manchester’s 2026 Good Employment Awards, which recognise organisations leading the way with their practices across the city region.

Both schoolwear manufacturer, One+All, and life sciences sector supplier, Datesand, are being considered for the Good Employment Culture (Small) category, which is sponsored by Carrs Pasties.

The Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards were established by the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter to celebrate excellence in employment practices across the region.  

The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise employers who are leading the way in creating fair, inclusive, and supportive workplaces. These employers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to good employment practices, including secure and flexible work arrangements, employee engagement, and promoting health and wellbeing 

Joe Carr, Managing Director of Carrs Pasties, said of sponsoring the award:

“We’re genuinely proud to support the Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards 2026. At Carrs Pasties, we believe good employment is about treating people properly, creating opportunities, and building a workplace where teams feel valued and supported. These awards shine a light on organisations doing exactly that. We’re honoured to sponsor the Best for Good Employment Culture category, a category that celebrates great employment culture across Greater Manchester. Good luck to everyone nominated!”

The awards champion work underpinned by a commitment to equality, fair pay, and giving employees a say in how their workplaces are run.   

Carol Halford, Head of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Unit, explained:

“We’re really looking forward to this year’s Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards, which recognise the employers continuing to put people first in a rapidly changing world of work.

“At a time when organisations are navigating significant economic, technological and workforce challenges, the commitment shown by our employers to fair pay, secure work and inclusive workplaces is a strong example of what good employment looks like in practice.    

“Through their commitment to good employment, these employers are making a real difference to workplaces across our city region and we’re grateful to our sponsors for supporting the Awards and helping us celebrate this work.”  

The headline sponsors for this year’s awards are Ward Hadaway. Laura Darnley, Business Immigration and Employment Law Partner at the firm, said:

“We are delighted to support this year’s Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards because it aligns perfectly with our own firm’s objective of backing ambition across the Northwest. The Awards celebrate organisations that recognise the power of placing people at the heart of their success. They shine a spotlight on employers who are raising standards across our region, celebrating workplaces that enshrine a culture where everyone can thrive. And in doing so, they highlight the business and social benefits of this people-centred approach.”