Around 1,000 business people and guests packed the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for the Be Inspired Business Awards.
The suave actor hosted the evening, which saw Fylde-based businessman and Preston Guild Hall owner Simon Rigby given a lifetime achievement award, and Preston-based Sunshine Events take two trophies.
BIBAs organisers The North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce handed out a crop of awards after a rigorous judging process.
Winners:
Most Inspiring Person of the Year: Chelsea Marie Baldwin (Blackpool).
Creative Agency of the Year: Hotfoot Design (Lancaster)
Employer of the Year: Sunshine Events (Preston)
Business Person of the Year: Ashley Hackett (Blackpool FC).
Best Use of IT: Connect Childcare (Burnley)
Exporter of the Year: Scorpion Automotive (Chorley)
Family Business of the Year: The Wayfarer (Parbold)
Professional Service Business of the Year: Thomas Consulting (Chorley)
Manufacturing Business of the Year: CoolKit (Burnley)
Excellence in Corporate Responsibility: Sunshine Events (Preston)
Construction Business of the Year: Fox Brothers (Blackpool)
Leisure Business of the Year: Winter Gardens (Blackpool)
Third Sector Business of the Year: Community & Business Partners (Blackburn)
Service Business of the Year: Fairbanks Environmental (Skelmersdale)
New Business of the Year: Fourth Wall Solutions (Chorley)
Micro Business of the Year: The 8th Sign (Bretherton)
Small Business of the Year: Bespoke Healthcare (Preston)
Medium Business of the Year: Hippo Motor Group (Blackburn)
Business of the Year: CoolKit (Burnley)
Lancastrian of the Year: Simon Rigby
BoyzLife and Smooth Fm got the crowd on their feet at the after-party.
*See the Post and Gazette next week for picture specials and all the reaction