Top Somerset businesses celebrate success at the Somerset Business Awards

Nov. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Over 280 people from the county’s leading businesses attended the sell-out event at the Somerset County Cricket Ground to find out who had won this year’s hotly contested awards.

Main sponsors, Albert Goodman, which has offices throughout Somerset, opened the annual Somerset Business Awards. Managing Partner of Albert Goodman, David Griffin, commented, “It is so important for us to be involved with the Somerset Business Awards. We want to celebrate the entrepreneurial skill, enthusiasm and commitment that is so prevalent in Somerset’s businesses. We are very proud to acknowledge this and applaud it.”

This year’s winners are:

New Business of the Year Award
The winner was Blackdown Shepherds Huts and George Bannister and Will Vickery accepted the award and commented, “This is great. We want to thank all the small companies that have helped supply parts for our business and to our friends, family and customers, who have supported us throughout. We feel very privileged and honoured to win.”

The runners up were Step Success and Vintage Fair Arts Café.

New to Somerset Award
The award went to Prolift Access Ltd. Andrew Pearson and Andrew Martin accepted the award and commented, “This is brilliant and we want to say a massive thank you to everyone that believed in us.  Our aim was to bring the heart back to our business and bring employment back into the area. We look forward to a bright future here in Somerset. From here we will get bigger and better but we can’t be any prouder than we are now.”

The runners up were M5 Glass Centre and LiteTile Ltd.

Service Excellence Award
The award went to leading mortgage and insurance company, Cooper Associates Ltd. Samantha Cooper, Managing Director, accepted the award and said, “It is a huge privilege to be accepting this award, from an organisation that is so prestigious and well recognised as the Somerset Business Awards. Since starting, Cooper Associates has had the aim of offering an unparalleled-level of service in the financial services sector. Without the support and hard work of our great team, this award would not be possible. So thank you!”

Runners up were: Myakka Ltd and Thorne Segar.

Best Exporter Award
The award was presented to Hilton Herbs and Martin Brooks, Production and Export Manager, collected the award and said, “Thank you so much for this. I am honoured, it has been an extremely difficult year for us and this means the world to me and the 17 guys back at work.”

The runners up were Unwin Safety Systems and SCM Handling Ltd.

The Albert Goodman Family Business Award
The winner of the award was Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and David Bellman collected the award. He comments, “This is wonderful and after a life-long dedication to Somerset and our garden centre, I am now handing over to my son in law, Mike.” Mike Lind said, “It is absolutely wonderful to be involved with this business. It is a well established business, which has been running for 30 years and employs more than 100 people. We are proud to be a Somerset business, there is no where better to be based.”

The runners up were South West Peninsular Training and Gadsby.

Skills for Growth Award
The award was presented to BAM Construction Ltd. Lorna Lewis accepted the award and said, “We are delighted to win this award. The timing is perfect as we, today, launched our Skills Academy, which came about from working with fantastic Bridgwater schools. It will provide work experience for young people, support schools with curriculum activities and ensure jobs are advertised locally. We want to be a part of up-skilling the vast supply chain in Somerset. Winning this award helps recognise that BAM Construction is actively involved in this.”

Runners up were 3 Dimensions Care Ltd and ADPR Limited.

Charity of the Year Award
The winner was Stand Against Violence and Adam Fouracre said, “I am really pleased to accept this award and want to thank everyone within the charity, including the volunteers and charity trustees, We started as small campaign six years ago and have been on a fantastic journey, working in collaboration with great businesses, locally and nationally. Our work has reached thousands and our educational work has improved behaviour and reduced violence and offending. It has been an exhilarating experience and we have all worked very hard to get here. We have great aims for the future and are excited for the expansion of the charity and being able to deliver new community projects. This award means we have credibility and will increase our awareness.”

The runners up were St John Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Collaborative Innovation Award
The award was presented to Gary Gabriel Associates. Duncan Clayton and Daniel Kennard accepted the award and commented, “We really didn’t expect to win this award, but we are honoured to win and it means an awful lot to us. Collaboration is something that is at the heart of the business and it has really helped us grow through these very difficult times. If you collaborate properly, with the great companies around you, the innovation comes naturally.”

The runners up were Futures for Somerset and Gerber Juice Co Ltd.

Marketing and Promotion Award
The award went to leading insurance broker, Higos Insurance Services Ltd. Neil Wyatt, accepted the award and said, “It means a lot to be able to receive this award, especially as the insurance sector is a very competitive market. Through our marketing, we try to differentiate ourselves from others and put across the benefits of using an insurance broker. The TV advertising was a risk, thankfully it paid off.”

Runners up were Hilton Herbs and Hall of Names Europe.

Energy Efficiency Award
The award went to Thorney Lakes Caravan and Camping Park of Langport, Richard England and Sally Gilliam accepted the award and commented, “I really wasn’t expecting to win, especially against all the other ‘bigger boys’. When visitors come to our site, we get them to realise how enthusiastic we are about energy efficiency and recycling at our site. Thank you very much.”

Runners up were Yarlington Housing Group and Powrmatic Limited.

Business of the Year 0-1 Employees Award
The award was presented to The Langport Leveller and Somerton Sentinel and Andrew Lee accepted the award. He said, “Thank you very much. For such a small company it is a tremendous piece of recognition. We only launched two years ago and it grows every month. It is a reader-driven business and I couldn’t do it without the readers and of course, my wonderful partner.”

The runners up were Eternity Crystal LLP and Hall of Names Europe.

Business of the Year 2-5 Employees Award
The winner was Pardoes Bevins Human Resources Limited and Becky Bevins and Claire Rowswell, collected the award, commenting, “This award is truly fantastic, it shows the reason we are here and I must thank our great team. It means a great deal to us and shows that our hard work is well recognises. Our heart is definitely in it.”

The runners up were Plum Communications & PR Ltd and Rubix Solutions UK Ltd.

Business of the Year 6-50 Employees Award
The winner was Taunton Fabrications Ltd and Jason Rigby accepted the award. He commented, “I am completely blown away. I can’t believe that we have won and I want to thank our brilliant team for their continued hard work. It is truly fantastic.”

The runners up were Unwin Safety Systems and Evosite Ltd

Business of the Year 51+ Employees Award
The award was presented to Clarke Willmott LLP and Philip Allen and Kate Gardner collected the award. Philip commented, “Life is an amazing adventure and our business started with its humble roots in Somerset. Since 1898, we have now grown to six offices, employing more than 500 staff. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone, including our private, individual clients and the larger businesses.”

The runners up were Yarlington Housing Group and Radstock Co-operative Society.