September 14th saw the end of an 8 month-long competition to reveal the 6 winning businesses of the Test Valley Business Awards 2017.
Celebrations took place at a very lively and entertaining Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony at The Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, amongst its unique exhibits.
Enjoying drinks, courtesy of Chalkdown Cider, Danebury Vineyard, Ocado and Hildon Water and a luxurious 3 course meal prepared by Michelin award-winning chefs McCrimmon & Reid; guests enthusiastically took the opportunity to network, reinforce existing business relationships, and make new ones during a night to remember.
Deftly orchestrated by Master of Ceremonies Steve Randall, the evening also saw the Awards’ Guest Speaker – current Strictly Come Dancing contestant and TV personality, and musician Rev. Richard Coles – delight and inspire the crowd with a witty and impassioned after dinner speech.
From over 170 entries this year, 18 businesses were successfully shortlisted across 6 categories; but there could only be 6 winners…
The winners of the Test Valley Business Awards 2017 are:
Doing Business Locally Award – sponsored by Taylored IT
Winner:
Braishfield Pantry Community Shop & Café
Highly Commended:
The White Hart, Andover
La Di Da Interiors
Apprentice Employer of the Year – sponsored by Andover College
Winner:
Test Valley Borough Council
Highly Commended:
UCPS Learning Ltd.
Preformed Line Products (GB) Ltd.
Innovation & Technology Award – sponsored by the University of Southampton Science Park
Winner:
CoolLED Ltd.
Highly Commended:
270 Vision Ltd.
Circuitworx
New Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council
Winner:
Rosebourne
Highly Commended:
Wathen Marine Catering Equipment Services Ltd.
UCPS Learning Ltd.
Small Business of the Year Award – sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy
Winner:
Active Staff Ltd.
Highly Commended:
UCPS Learning Ltd.
Orchid Furniture
The Brenda Locke Award for Women in Business – sponsored by Phoenix Transconnect
Winner:
Victoria Thorp, The Queen Charlotte Inn
Highly Commended:
Sarah Robinson, Oaktree Business Management
Rhonda Smith, Minerva Health & Care Communications
Richard Rowles of Phoenix Transconnect, and Gold Sponsor of The Brenda Locke Award for Women in Business, said of the Awards “My congratulations to all 6 winners of the Test Valley Business Awards 2017. Each is a credit to local business, and to the Test Valley! Joining the Awards this year as a Gold Sponsor has been a valuable experience, and it was a pleasure to be involved.”
As well as celebrating local business achievements, every year, the Awards also recognises the importance of supporting local causes and charitable organisations. This year, choosing The Museum of Army Flying as charity of the year, attendees were given the chance to hear more about the Museum’s current programme ‘Project Eagle’, whilst raising over £800 for this worthy cause.
Now in its 13th year, the Test Valley Business Awards – run by a steering group of volunteers – has become a well-established platform to promote businesses excellence and especially to shine a light on the many new and small innovative businesses operating out of sight. It is a great way to enable smaller enterprises to gain the recognition and exposure to grow.
Information about the night; including winners, and photos of the event, can be found on the Test Valley Business Awards website, at: www.tvbawards.org.uk
