One of our favourite things about the Wigan Business Awards is seeing previous winners come back and support the next campaign.
This year, North West Computer Museum has done exactly that.
After winning IT and Tech Business of the Year in 2025, founder Joseph “Joe” Kay has joined the 2026 campaign as sponsor of the 360-degree camera.
It is one of those brilliant full-circle moments we love.
One of Our Most Deserved Winners
Joe was probably our most shocked winner of the entire night last year.
He genuinely did not expect to hear his name called, which made the moment even better. More importantly, it was thoroughly deserved.
Joe has spent years working to turn North West Computer Museum into something sustainable, interesting and genuinely valuable.
What started as a passion project has grown into a recognised visitor attraction, with people now travelling from across the UK and further afield to experience it.
Building a Museum People Travel to See
The museum preserves the history of computing, gaming and technology in a way that feels accessible, nostalgic and fun.
Behind it all is a huge amount of work.
Joe has had to keep pushing, adapting and finding ways to make the museum viable. He has built something that people connect with because the passion behind it is obvious.
That made his 2025 win especially meaningful.
The Case of the Missing Winner’s Sign
There was also the small matter of the winner’s sign.
After the ceremony, Joe and the team somehow left with it.
We say somehow, but this happens every year. Give people a few drinks and apparently they become pilferers.
Luckily, we decided to let them keep it, and it is now proudly displayed at the museum where it belongs.
The photo of Joe and Nichola holding it is proof that, on this occasion, the theft was officially forgiven.
Sponsoring the 360-Degree Camera
For 2026, Joe is returning to help create another memorable part of the awards experience.
The 360-degree camera is always popular on the night. It gives guests, finalists and sponsors the chance to capture the celebration and create something they can share afterwards.
Having it sponsored by a business rooted in technology feels like a perfect fit.
Joe said:
“Winning IT and Tech Business of the Year was a complete shock, but it meant so much after all the years of work behind the museum.
The awards introduced us to more people, gave us confidence and helped us feel recognised by the wider business community.
Coming back as a sponsor felt like the right thing to do. We’re proud to support the 2026 campaign and help another group of businesses enjoy their moment.”
Why Joe Chose to Give Something Back
Nichola Howard, organiser of the Wigan Business Awards, added:
“Joe’s reaction was one of the moments we’ll always remember from last year.
He has worked incredibly hard to build the museum into what it is today, and his win was fully deserved.
We love seeing winners come back as sponsors because it shows what the campaign has meant to them. The fact he also stole the sign makes the story even better.”
North West Computer Museum’s journey captures exactly what these awards are about.
It is a local idea that grew through persistence, passion and years of hard work.
Now Joe is helping us celebrate the next group of finalists and winners.
Join the 2026 Campaign
Only a small number of sponsorship opportunities remain for the Wigan Business Awards 2026.
Sponsorship gives your business visibility throughout the campaign and places your brand at the heart of one of Wigan’s biggest business celebrations.
Download our sponsor pack today and secure one of the remaining opportunities before they’re gone.
