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County's cream of the crop
ENTREPRENEURS from around the county descended in their hundreds on Sywell Aerodrome for the biggest night in the business calendar.
The annual Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Chronicle & Echo, Evening Telegraph and Northamptonshire Chamber, celebrated the achievements of the very best movers and shakers from across the county.
The awards, now in their 10th year, were attended by more than 300 people, who packed out the hanger in the Aerodrome Hotel on Wednesday night.
And the glittering ceremony was given more than just a touch of celebrity glamour.
Guests were not only treated to amusing sporting tales by former snooker world champion Dennis Taylor but also presented with awards by ITN news anchor Nicholas Owen.
Thirteen awards were given out to hardworking businesspeople, and before the ceremony began Simon Kennedy, General Manager of Northamptonshire Newspapers, let all the applicants know the quality of all the entrants this year had been absolutely outstanding.
The top prize of Business of the Year Award went to Daventry company Hambleside Danelaw, which has already scooped a number of national awards for its commitment to innovation, including a shelter for use in disasters.
Paul Wilkinson, marketing director, said it felt brilliant to get the award. "We weren't expecting to win. The company have tried to identify helping the environment which could be why we won."
Winner of the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year Award was internet gift company Cocoon Collection from Northampton.
The company provides a range of gifts for children and adults and judges were impressed by its originality and entrepreneurial spirit. Collecting the award, commercial director Amanda McManus said she was stunned.
"We weren't expecting to win at all. We are a very small, new business and it's brilliant we were chosen."
Training and Development Award went to Northampton's Marriott Hotel, which combines formal training and counselling and review sessions.
Collecting the award, general manager Michael Regenhardt said he was delighted. "It's very important for those of us in the hotel industry. These are the people who make it happen. For us it was an accolade we were really hoping for because training is the most important thing, and if customers enjoy their experience with us they will come back again."
Employee of the Year award went to Ellie Armstrong, who works for Iceberg Marketing.
"I feel quite nervous about it all really," Mrs Armstrong said after being handed her award. "I think I got the award because of all the work I've put in over the last year. I've been studying marketing on my own time and it's been really tough. Still, it was a real shock to be nominated and even more to win."
The Diversity Award and Equal Opportunities Award was given to Kettering Job Centre for its flexibility for working parents and diversity initiative. Andy Barber, jobcentre manager said he was extremely pleased to accept the award.
He added: "It recognises it's a tremendous achievement for the jobcentre and I'm very pleased with our success."
And estate agents O'Riordan Bond won the Growing Business of the Year Award seven years after first scooping the accolade.
Managing Director Simon Bond said it was really nice to win the award. "We have been working in Northampton now for 12 years and winning the growing business award seven years ago as well as today means such a lot."
The New Business of the Year award went to BMT Sales and Marketing in Wellingborough.
Collecting the award, managing director Ben Thomas said it felt amazing. "We were never expecting to get this. It was a privilege to be nominated. Northamptonshire is such a great place to do business and it is just fantastic to get this. It's an achievement of the whole team and something we are all very proud of."
The Innovation Award went to Great Oakley firm Clear My Mail, which blocks spam and keeps computers safe from nasty viruses. Managing Director Dan Field said it felt brilliant to collect the prize. "We have got the world's first device for stopping all spam emails," he said.
"That makes us the only company in the world with 100 percent effectiveness. I was hoping I would win this award and will be celebrating tonight."
Business Person Of The Year went to Damion Pidgeon, who works for the Dodd Group in Northampton. Judges were impressed by his hard work within a short timeframe, commitment and dedication. Mr Pidgeon said he was overwhelmed to receive the award. "It's been a great year for business and I'm very pleased to be recognised on he back of that success."
Community Investment Award went to Ricoh UK Products, GCS Division, in Wellingborough, which has created an eco-centre for use by groups and school trips. General manager Mike Nixon said it was brilliant to accept the award. "It's absolutely superb. I think it's another recognition of what we try to do by bringing our environmental expertise to build bridges between businesses and the community."
Team of the Year Northamptonshire Sport came out in force to collect the award, telling Nicholas Owen it was a team award, so they would collect it as a team. Speaking after the ceremony Vanessa Brown, director, said it was a fantastic feeling to win the prize.
"We're over the moon. You work long hours in sport and it's fantastic to have that hard work recognised. Everybody does things without complaining and I'm proud of such a good team."
The Customer Service Award went to Northampton chauffeur business Arrive In Style.
Dean Clayton, managing director, and his director wife Sarah, picked up the prize.
Mrs Clayton said: "It's fantastic. We weren't expecting to win at all. We have worked really hard so we deserve this. I think we provide what our customers want and we give them the best service we can. The most important thing for us is to put them first."
Retailer of the Year went to kitchens & bathrooms, fireplaces and heating products company A Bell and Co from Northampton, which impressed judges with a high-quality showroom, customer survey and questionnaire.
Collecting the award, Michael Bustin, director, and John Kirhkham, managing director, said it was it was for the whole team. "We just work on top quality and good service and we think all the staff deserve this award as testament to their hard work."
Northamptonshire Chamber chief executive Stephen Smith said after the ceremony: "It's a great opportunity for businesses to get together and celebrate their achievements of the year. Once again this has been a really fantastic night."
ROLL OF HONOUR
The Winners
Business of the Year Award: Hambleside Danelaw, Daventry
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year Award: Cocoon Collection Ltd, Northampton
Training and Development Award: Marriott Hotel, Northampton
Employee of the Year Award: Ellie Armstrong, Iceberg Marketing, Northampton
Diversity and Equal Opportunities Award: Kettering Job Centre
Growing Business of the Year Award: O'Riordan Bond, Northampton
New Business of the Year Award: BMT Sales & Marketing, Wellingborough
Innovation Award: Clear My Mail, Great Oakley
Business Person of the Year Award: Damion Pidgeon, The Dodd Group, Northampton
Community Investment Award: Ricoh, UK Products, Wellingborough
Team of the Year Award: Northamptonshire Sport, Northampton
Customer Service Award: Arrive in Style, Northampton
Retailer of the Year Award: A Bell & Co Ltd, Northampton
Runners Up
Business of the Year Award: ACS Office Solutions
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year Award: Clear My Mail
Training and Development Award: Holiday Inn, Corby - Kettering A43
Employee of the Year Award: Sheila Sturgeon, NTDP
Diversity and Equal Opportunities Award: Employment and Disability Service
Growing Business of the Year Award: Iceberg Marketing
New Business of the Year Award: Cocoon Collection Ltd
Innovation Award: Cooney Marine
Business Person of the Year Award: Sheila Sturgeon, NTDP
Community Investment Award: Northamptonshire Sport, Northampton
Team of the Year Award: Employment and Disability Service
Customer Service Award: Roxy 2 Seasons
Retailer of the Year Award: Supervision
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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