Somerset Business Awards 2011

PRESS RELEASE

2011 Somerset Business Awards winners announced

The winners of this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards were announced on Friday 21 October at the annual Somerset Business Awards Ceremony.

Around 300 people from the county’s top businesses attended the sell-out event at the Somerset County Cricket Ground to find out who had won this year’s hotly contested awards. The event organisers commented that the standard of the entries this year had been exceptional, whilst the number of companies entering was up by 50 per cent, proving that the popularity and prestige of the Somerset Business Awards continues to increase year on year.

Business of the Year Award (2-5 employees)
The Business of the Year Award (2-5 employees), sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, was presented to O2i Design Ltd, a Langport based design consultancy specialising in sustainable architecture. The family run business was established in 2001 and has a portfolio of work that spans a variety of sectors including commercial and residential, education and research facilities.

The company was awarded because of its dedication to building projects that will last several hundreds of years and that will provide a genuine legacy to future generations, with many of O2i Design’s projects used as examples of best practice by English Heritage and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

David Griffin, Managing Partner of the main event sponsor Albert Goodman, commented, “The Somerset Business Awards show the considerable array of business talent that exists in this county. The number and cross section of applicants for the business awards – from major companies to much smaller businesses employing less than five people – highlights the breadth of ‘locally grown’ businesses across Somerset. In assessing the applications received, we were particularly impressed with the positive outlook of the applicants – whilst the economic climate in the South West remains particularly challenging for SMEs, what all of the winners shared was a ‘can do’ attitude and a preparedness to really make things happen. We know there are going to be tough times ahead but the industry, imagination and commitment of entrepreneurial businesses in Somerset will ensure a healthy future for the business community in our county. We share the optimism of the Somerset Chamber in supporting and advising businesses.”

The host for the evening was the well-known equestrian commentator and former eventer, Mike Tucker. Mike Tucker’s voice is more famous than his name as he has commentated on everything from the Badminton Horse Trials to the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia and four Olympic Games. He has been the chair of British Eventing and has run the Tetbury and Windsor horse trials as well as chairing the safety committee for British Eventing.

Mike Tucker commented, “It is a real privilege to be hosting the Somerset Business Awards, not only have the judges seen a huge increase in presentation and standards, but also in the companies that have come forward. I anticipated that we were onto something special tonight and as soon as I came here, there was a real buzz, it was tremendous. With all the doom and gloom that we get from the press and media these days, it is so good to be here and see for myself the buzz and excitement of the county’s industry experts.”

Sponsored by Albert Goodman, which has offices throughout Somerset, the annual Somerset Business Awards are organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with a wide range of individual award sponsors from the private sectors. The annual awards recognise and celebrate business success, giving them the perfect platform to raise awareness of their products or services and attract new clients. They have become one of the most important and popular fixtures on the county’s business calendar in recent years, with winners going on to do bigger and better things following the success of winning a Somerset Business Award.

Full list of awards categories, sponsors, winners and runners-up:

Business of the Year Award (0-1 employee)
Sponsored by Lentells
1. AB Heritage Ltd - Taunton
2. SOH Vanilla Ltd - Taunton
3. Razzle Dazzle Ices - Taunton

Business of the Year Award (2-5 employees)
Sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses
1. O2i Design Ltd - Langport
2. Pure Beauty - Chard
3. Rubix Solutions UK Ltd - Taunton

Business of the Year Award (5-50 employees)
Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial
1. Hippychick - Bridgwater
2. Cooper Associates Ltd - Taunton
3. Myakka Ltd - Wincanton

Business of the Year Award (50+ employees)
Sponsored by Higos Insurance Services
1. Milsted Langdon LLP – Taunton and Yeovil
2. Somerset County Cricket Club - Taunton
3. Jon Thorner's Ltd – Shepton Mallet

Environmental Award
Sponsored by Perrys Recycling
1. Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre - Bruton
2. Cannington Enterprises Ltd - Cannington
3. PBT International Ltd - Wells

Family Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Albert Goodman
1. Framptons Limited – Shepton Mallet
2. Westermill Farm - Exford
3. Phil Bowditch Finest Fresh Fish - Taunton

Collaborative Innovation Award
Sponsored by the Collaboration Innovation Initiative
1. Futures for Somerset - Bridgwater
2. Kontrolit.net - Yeovil

Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by Ylem Ltd
1. Property Consortium Group - Taunton
2. Jungle Property - Glastonbury
3. Phil Bowditch Finest Fresh Fish - Taunton

Charity of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Clarke Willmott
1. Taunton Association for the Homeless - Taunton
2. Brainwave - Bridgwater
3. Bibic - Bridgwater

Marketing & Promotion Award
Sponsored by Glyder Ltd
1. Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream Ltd - Minehead
2. Myakka Ltd - Wincanton
3. The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre - Taunton

New Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by ADPR
1. Special Horses For Special Children - Chard
2. Green Frog Designs Ltd - Templecombe
3. Saltbox Training & Events Ltd - Wells

New to Somerset Award
Sponsored by Into Somerset
1. Langford Fivehead - Langport
2. Qballyhoo - Yeovil
3. AB Heritage - Taunton

Best Exporter Award
Sponsored by Foot Anstey
1. Somerdale International Ltd - Wellington
2. Hilton Herbs - Crewkerne
3. Chinese Language Publishing Ltd - Bridgwater

For further information, please contact Jenn Chidley at the Somerset Chamber of Commerce on 01823 444924, or email events@somerset-chamber.co.uk.

Further press information is available from Sophie Whitaker or Kirsty Mode at ADPR on 01460 241641, or email sophie@adpr.co.uk or kirsty@adpr.co.uk

This press release is available from ADPR’s online pressroom – www.adpr.co.uk

October 2011 (SBA 27)