We’re incredibly proud to welcome Vanliners back as Platinum Sponsors of the 2025 Wigan Business Awards.
As a family business this is a powerful reminder for us, one of resilience, leadership, and community spirit.
After a deeply challenging start to the year, Vanliners could have taken a step back. Instead, they’ve chosen to step forward, louder and prouder than ever.
Vanliners are a multi award winning vehicle conversion company built on family values, hard work, and pride in doing things right.
Investing in the Future
Based in Hindley Green, they’ve earned a reputation nationwide for their quality craftsmanship and people-first approach.
By developing accredited training they’re moving the industry forward for their team, which benefits both their clients, and their community.
This year, there’s something even more powerful about their story.
Following the passing of founder David Rees, the business is now led by his wife, Janine Rees. Janine is continuing the legacy of the business they built together, driving it forward in her own way.
Strength and Grace
During our recent visit, Janine told us:
“I am surrounded by a strong and loyal Management team, who care about the business as much as I do, and a team of amazing, passionate, and talented people throughout every department.
I wasn’t married to David for 30 years and learned nothing. He taught me a lot, and I’ve got my own ideas. I mean business.”
That moment said everything.
Strong women don’t just rise; they carry others with them. Janine is now leading a respected, nationally recognised business with strength, grace, and no nonsense.
She’s showing that leadership doesn’t always have to be loud to be powerful.
She’s showing that women can take space at the table, even in industries where they’re often underrepresented.
At the Wigan Business Awards, we believe in celebrating stories like this.
Real people, real grit, and real community. Vanliners represents all of that and more.
“Having Vanliners back as Platinum Sponsors means the world to us,” said Nichola Howard, organiser of the Wigan Business Awards.
“The way Janine has stepped up is genuinely inspiring. Her strength, her humour, and her clarity of vision are everything we stand for.
This is what women supporting women looks like. This is Wigan businesses backing each other, and it’s what makes our business community so special.”
Vanliners continues to invest in people, both inside and outside their business.
Pride, Culture and Loyalty
Their culture of care is one of the reasons they’ve won multiple awards recently, including national recognition at the North West Family Business Awards.
Their loyalty to staff, their reputation for quality, and their commitment to the community have never wavered, even during the toughest times.
Now, as they return to the Wigan Business Awards with even greater support, they’re sending a clear message:
Wigan is worth investing in. People are worth investing in. And business done right makes a difference.
We’re honoured to have Vanliners with us again this year, both as sponsors, and part of the heart and soul of what makes these awards so meaningful.
We can’t wait to celebrate with them and the rest of the Wigan business community in November.
If you’d like to sponsor this year’s awards, visit our Sponsorship Opportunities page today!
