Nantwich coffee roaster Jez Nicholls shortlisted for Cheshire leadership award
The Crave Coffee figure is among 10 finalists for Inspirational Male Leader of the Year, with winners due to be announced at Carden Park in November.
By Nantwich News
A Nantwich coffee roaster has been named among 10 finalists for a leadership award recognising individuals working across Cheshire’s business community.
Jez Nicholls, of Crave Coffee, is shortlisted for Inspirational Male Leader of the Year at the 2026 Crème de la Crème Cheshire Business Awards.
The winners are due to be announced on Saturday 14 November at Carden Park, near Chester, during the fifth annual awards ceremony organised by The Cheshire Club.
Nicholls is among a group of finalists drawn from different sectors, including education, architecture, health and leisure, and community organisations.
Other nominees in his category include Thomas Barton of Everybody Health & Leisure, Mike Newman BEM of Speed of Sight, David Girvan of The Firs School and Glenn Cavill of Glenn Cavill Architecture.
The shortlist was announced in September, with public voting closing on 2 October.
Cheshire coffee business
Crave Coffee is an independent speciality coffee business associated with Nantwich, supplying freshly roasted coffee to customers and businesses.
The company produces small-batch roasted coffee, including single-origin varieties and blends, with products available as whole beans or ground coffee.
Its offering includes online orders for customers across the UK as well as wholesale supply to cafés and other hospitality businesses.
Crave Coffee Limited was incorporated in March 2015, according to Companies House, and remains registered as an active company.
Its registered office is at Oakfield Farm, The Hall Lane, Rushton, near Tarporley, while its business profile identifies connections with Willaston and Nantwich.
The leadership award nomination is not the company’s only recognition this year.
Crave Coffee was also named among the finalists in the Best Artisan Food & Drink Producer category at the 2026 Cheshire Muddy Stilettos Awards.
That nomination was part of a separate awards programme celebrating independent businesses across the county.
Winners to be announced in November
The Crème de la Crème Cheshire Business Awards were established by Joanna Scott-Aspray, founder of The Cheshire Club.
Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and individuals across Cheshire.
Organisers say the awards combine public voting with independent judging, while the Overall Excellence winner is selected by an independent judging panel on the night.
This year’s ceremony will begin at 6.30pm on 14 November at Carden Park Hotel.
Nicholls’ place on the shortlist has been confirmed, but the result of the Inspirational Male Leader of the Year category will not be known until the awards are announced.
The nomination adds to a year in which Crave Coffee has received recognition in two separate Cheshire business awards programmes.