B&FC Wins ‘Low Carbon Business of the Year’ at BIBAs 2025
Published on 22/09/2025 by
Blackpool and The Fylde College Wins Prestigious BIBA Award
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has been crowned ‘Low Carbon Business of the Year’ at the 2025 Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs) — our first-ever win at Lancashire’s prestigious business awards.
The ceremony, held at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, saw B&FC overcome competition from seven other finalists to claim this award, which recognises organisations making outstanding contributions to sustainability and environmental performance.
The BIBAs, run by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, are Lancashire’s longest running and largest business awards.
Our submission showcased B&FC’s Sustainability and Environmental Strategy, which sets out significant progress and ambitious goals across decarbonisation, sustainable construction, biodiversity, waste reduction and curriculum innovation.
Following an interview and successful award shortlisting, we welcomed the ‘BIBAs on Tour’ judges to Bispham campus who visited to test our submission in June.
This included visits to the Advanced Technology Centre – where we demonstrated some of the latest engineering technologies aligned to the low carbon agenda – and the Sustainability Centre, where we showed how we embed this agenda into our curriculum, including retrofitting and renewable technologies.
Judges also heard about our ‘Farm to Fork’ scheme, which is slashing our carbon footprint, as well as ambitious plans for the Multiversity: a carbon-neutral building featuring rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps and extensive use of natural light.
Alun Francis, B&FC CEO, said: “This is an absolutely fantastic achievement for B&FC.”
“The BIBA awards are often described as “the one they all want to win” in Lancashire. They attract entries from businesses of all sizes and sectors, so the winners are regionally seen as the best-in-class.
“This first-ever BIBA award recognises the significant commitment, improvements and exciting future B&FC has in relation to the sustainability and environmental agenda – not least in giving our learners access to the facilities, skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this fast-growing sector.
“This also cements our standing as a regional leader in sustainability while supporting Lancashire’s wider ambitions for a greener, low carbon economy. “
B&FC was also a shortlisted finalist in the ‘Skills Provider of the Yar’ category and was one of hundreds of applicants this year from all corners of Lancashire.
The BIBA Awards cover 20 categories and celebrate the best of business in Lancashire – from micro to medium to manufacturing, small to scale-up and leisure to low carbon – judged by experts in their sector field.
More than 1,000 guests attended the BIBA ceremony this year and enjoyed a sumptuous Lancashire-based four course meal before the winners were revealed by Colleen Nolan, the guest presenter.