SAVVY Collective has won the Leisure and Tourism Award at the North West Family Business Awards 2026 – recognising the hospitality group’s growing impact across independent hotels, food and beverage, tourism and lifestyle-led ventures across the region.
The award was presented at a ceremony hosted at The Rum Warehouse, Titanic Hotel Liverpool, where more than 400 guests gathered to celebrate the achievements of family-run businesses from across the North West.
Founded by Chester-based hospitality entrepreneur Steven Hesketh, SAVVY Collective was created to support independent operators through hands-on management, consultancy, investment and growth partnerships, offering a practical alternative to traditional corporate hospitality models.
Speaking after collecting the award, Steven Hesketh, Founder and CEO of SAVVY Collective, who also runs Hotel Wrexham and the city’s new Queen’s Square Social spot, said:
“Winning this award as a family means a huge amount to us. Hospitality has always been built around people, relationships and community, and that is exactly what SAVVY Collective stands for.
“We are incredibly proud of what we are building, but none of it happens without our wider team. This recognition belongs to every single person involved with SAVVY Collective and the businesses we work alongside every day.”
Organised by The Family Business Community, the annual awards celebrate innovation, resilience and leadership among family-owned businesses across the region.
Event founder Dave Clarkson said: “The standard of businesses recognised this year was exceptional, and SAVVY Collective stood out for its passion, vision and commitment to hospitality and tourism.”
Launched following more than 30 years of industry experience, SAVVY Collective brings together hotel management, operational consultancy, investment support, education and events under one umbrella, helping independent hospitality businesses strengthen performance while protecting their individuality.
Mr Hesketh’s current portfolio includes The Chester Townhouse, Hotel Wrexham, Queen’s Square Social in Wrexham and he is also co-owner of Devafest. His career in Liverpool, since moving there in 2009, and having played an active role in the city’s hospitality and tourism sector, was also recently acknowledged with the Chairman’s Award at this year’s Liverpool Hospitality Association People Awards.
SAVVY Collective works with hospitality ventures of up to 100 keys, units or equivalent scale across hotels, food and beverage, social hubs, attractions and experience-led destinations. Its model combines operational expertise with flexible partnership structures designed to help founders and operators grow sustainably in an increasingly competitive market.
