A Saddleworth man who turned his own experience of prison into a business that helps others build a better future has been honoured at the Oldham Business Awards.

Lee Wakeham, founder of social enterprise bakery HM Pasties, received the Special Recognition Award at the 18th annual awards, which recognise achievements across Oldham's business community.

Lee served two prison sentences before turning his life around and launching HM Pasties seven years ago. The bakery now produces around 15,000 pies, pasties and sausage rolls every week, supplying a chain of 46 pubs as well as sports teams and major foodservice groups.

Around a quarter of the workforce at any one time is made up of people either still in prison on day release or recently released. Prison leavers are referred by prison or probation services and spend three months working at the bakery on Pennant Industrial Estate, while Lee and his team help them find permanent employment elsewhere. That creates an opportunity for another prison leaver to come through the business.

The name HM Pasties stands for Hand Made Pasties, while also playing on the prison system Lee knows only too well. He has also founded the HM Pasties Foundation, a charity working with prisons, probation services and local organisations to provide mentoring, skills training and tailored support.

Speaking to The Grocer earlier this year, Lee explained that a recommendation from his barrister to seek counselling during his second prison sentence became a turning point. He had grown up in and out of foster care and later began working with prison leavers in different roles before developing the idea for HM Pasties.

The bakery is now on course to make a profit for the first time this year.

The ceremony, held at The Loom in Oldham, attracted more than 450 guests for a Great Gatsby-themed evening. It was the first time the event had moved venue after 17 years at Queen Elizabeth Hall.

First Choice Homes Oldham was among the biggest winners, taking home three awards: Business of the Year £5m+, Supporting Young People and Workforce Health and Wellbeing.

Three new categories were also introduced. Recycling PVC Ltd won Sustainable Innovation, ZUTTI Co took the Heart of the High Street award, while Fullcircle Community Interest Company NW won Community Impact.

Other winners included BS Entwistle Electrical Contractors Ltd (Business of the Year £1m-£5m), Sports Physio UK (Business of the Year up to £1m), Melvyn Pryce of Heyside Group (Businessperson of the Year), Eternal Health (Micro Business of the Year, the Dawn Torrington Award) and Iona Ackerman of Eternal Health (Young Entrepreneur).

ITV Granada Reports presenter Caroline Whitmore hosted, with entertainment from comedian and actor Justin Moorhouse and live music from The Not Quite Big Band. Raffle proceeds went to Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw's Hospice.