The winners of the 9th Test Valley Business Awards were announced last night (2 July) at a Gala Dinner and Ceremony held at The Lights, Andover.
“These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate local businesses and we are delighted that so many have entered this year,” said Cheryl Dowler Bettell from the Awards’ Steering Group. “The competition has been extremely tough and being named a finalist is a huge achievement. Congratulations to all our winners, we hope that your award will help you to stand out from the crowd and contribute to your future success.”
Guest of Honour, Fred Dinenage MBE, who returned to present the awards for a second year, said: “I take my hat off to the businesses here today. Not only do they survive but are prospering in the most difficult of economic times.”
For winner of the Business in the Community Award, Rum’s Eg Gallery, it was a night of double celebration as sponsors Churchill Retirement Living announced they were donating £1,000 to the Romsey-based creative centre. Siriol Sherlock from Rum’s Eg Gallery said that the money would be used to to fund new educational workshops.
And Choices Hire Services of Andover was recognised for its special contribution to the Test Valley business community with a special award from Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
During the sell-out gala ceremony, guests raised more than £1,000 for The Joe Glover Trust, the Awards’ nominated charity for 2013. The Trust, is a local children’s cancer charity, based in Hampshire, providing relief by giving financial grants to families to help with the costs of caring for a child on cancer treatment across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex and the Channel Islands.
The annual awards – which mark their 10th anniversary next year – recognise business excellence across the Borough and are a great way for organisations to raise their profile.
The 2013 winners are:
New Business of the Year – sponsor Test Valley Borough Council
WINNER: HealthQuest Solutions Ltd – Chilworth
Highly Commended:
Hampshire Mobility Services – Romsey
Willow Bank House – Romsey
Customer Service of the Year Award – sponsor Peugeot Snows Romsey
WINNER:
Anton Vets – Andover
Highly Commended:
Choices Hire Services – Andover
Newlyns Farm Shop – Weyhill
Business in the Community Award – sponsor Churchill Retirement Living
WINNER:
Rum’s Eg Art & Craft Gallery – Romsey
Highly Commended:
Fairground Craft & Design Centre CIC – Weyhill
Trout ’n About – Stockbridge High Street
Employer of the Year – sponsor Kier
WINNER:
Army Families Federation – Andover
Highly Commended:
Nicholas Howard Ltd – Andover
Swattons (Andover) Ltd – Andover
Innovation and Technology – sponsor University of Southampton Science Park
WINNER:
HealthQuest Solutions Ltd – Chilworth
Highly Commended:
Mobile Onboard Ltd- Chilworth
Wren Laboratories Ltd – Andover
Small Business of the Year – sponsor: Hampshire County Council
WINNER:
Wren Laboratories Ltd – Andover
Highly Commended:
EMPRA Ltd – Andover
The Consortium – Romsey
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION AWARD – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
WINNER:
Choices Hire Services – Andover
For more information and photographs from the night, please visit www.tvbawards.org.uk.
Photo Credits:
Award Winners with Fred Dinenage, MBE (left to right):
- Dr Tom Wilkinson of HealthQuest Solutions Ltd;
- Catherine Spencer of Army Families Federation;
- John Chitty of Anton Vets;
- Fred Dinenage MBE, Guest Speaker;
- Siriol Sherlock of Rum’s Eg Gallery;
- Jalal Janmohamed of Wren Laboratories Ltd;
- Dr Simon Bourne of HealthQuest Solutions Ltd
Credit: Andy Brooks Photography