Leaders with a vision and mission for business success

Business Person of the Year 

Sponsored by Rachael Bell Wealth Management  

Kurt Canfield, Delkia

Delkia is led by CEO Kurt Canfield, who has overseen its growth from a tiny company with just two employees, to a turnover of just under £6m in 2022 and projected growth of £10m in 2023. 
Kurt has shown exceptional commitment to the growth of Delkia, working long hours and inspiring staff to stay with the company and show a similar level of passion and drive.  
“Kurt has extraordinary vision, persistence and inclusivity in working with employees. He is able to delegate and let employees run with something – a rare gift that enhances staff development and frees him up to get things done,” says business development director Dick Monaghan. 
Kurt has had a demonstrable and significant impact on improving the performance of the business, from growth in turnover to the creation of a new business wide initiative, which involves staff at all levels in working groups on everything from digital improvements to innovation in R&D, in order to improve systems and procedures to strengthen and future-proof Delkia.  

He sets the direction through monthly all staff team briefings, writes blogs to inspire the team, has an open-door policy and pays regular visits to each facility. He has also led a strategic focus on staff recruitment with an eye on getting the right people and growing talent through placements, apprenticeships, degree-level apprenticeships, internships and a graduate program. 

Mark Telford, Forth 

Entrepreneur Mark Telford founded Forth in 2000 and is the managing director, playing a key role in determining the company’s strategic objectives, policies and vision. 

Under Mark’s management the business has grown into an award-winning UK advanced technology solutions business, solving global industry challenges from its bases at Maryport, Cleator Moor and Barrow-in-Furness. 

Employing 40 staff, it specialises in hi-tech engineering solutions and focuses on nuclear decommissioning and has diversified into marine, oil and gas, and defence industries. 

Mark is committed to West Cumbria, leading the way when it comes to diversifying and developing its world-renowned research and development and manufacturing capability. He is looking at opportunities to collaborate with others in the region to maximise the opportunity and help to make a positive difference across West Cumbria for generations to come. 

He is responsible for running Forth with support from a handpicked team of two other directors and a highly skilled management team. Having worked through the apprenticeship route at Sellafield, gaining skills and experience, he is focused on innovative no-nonsense engineering solutions, centring mainly on remote engineering solutions. 

His vision is for Forth’s world-first products to be manufactured in the UK and then exported all around the world to solve challenges in a range of industries including nuclear, renewables, oil and gas, and other sectors. 

Phil Redfern, React Engineering 

Managing Director Phil Redfern has led React through one of its busiest and most exciting years in its 29-year history with professionalism, enthusiasm and integrity. 

The past 12 months has seen the company grow significantly through a collaborative approach with local SMEs, and Phil has adopted new policies to ensure all working practices are aligned to the company’s values. 

2022/23 was a year in which Phil took stock of all business processes and implemented new guidelines to deliver strong, clear messages to all employees and stakeholders of the business. 

His determination for one, united voice led to the clarification of the business’ branding, a new vision being created and a new working culture adopted. 

At the heart of all messaging from Phil is empowering his staff to take the lead on projects, no matter what their level of expertise. 

He is passionate about professional development and all staff are consulted on business matters relevant to their work - from apprentices right through to members of the management team. 

Giving team members the opportunity to express themselves freely has achieved great results in the past year. 

It all adds up to React being a Cumbrian business which continues to be held in the highest esteem for its trusted, quality, expert work in highly-regulated safety-critical industries such as nuclear decommissioning and, without any compromise of those values and qualities, also delivering growth in new disciplines and new geographies.