The Northern Powerhouse Export Award winners were announced at a ceremony at the National Railway Museum in York last night.

West Yorkshire headquartered Bluefin Trading was crowned Exporter of the Year, as well as being crowned E-commerce Exporter of the Year and commended for its entrepreneurial and innovative approach to e-commerce retailing and export growth.

The company, which specialises in the sports and wellness sectors and is well known for its Bluefin SUP™, Bluefin Fitness™, Bluefin Hoverboards™ and Bluefin Kayaks™ brands.

Speaking about their success, Will Vaughan of Bluefin Trading, said: “We're chuffed, we came here not expecting to win anything. We've got the team here and and we're so so happy to win the overall award”

 “We genuinely think it will help us to grow again at a rapid rate, we've grown almost 100% in the last year and we think this will help us grow further by opening doors in Australia, the US and further a field in the places we want to.”

Minister of State for trade and export promotion, Baroness Fairhead CBE, said: “I’d like to congratulate Bluefin Trading on their outstanding success, not just in exports, but also in being named Northern Powerhouse Exporter of the Year.

"I’d also like to offer my congratulations to all the businesses shortlisted for this year’s awards. They have all contributed to the significance of the Northern Powerhouse to UK exports and the UK economy generally. Their export successes are genuinely inspirational."

The other winners on the night included:

E-commerce exporter of the year: Bluefin Trading

Entrepreneurial exporter of the year: BODA SKINS

Micro exporter of the year: Regeneration Ltd

Small exporter of the year: Lattimer

Large exporter of the year: Clarke Energy

Export team of the year: Quality Bearings Online

Emerging markets exporter of the year: Brandon Medical

High growth markets exporter of the year: Kendal Nutricare Ltd

New to export: NHS Northumbria International Alliance & Wasp Rescue