On November 18 Ferndown Golf Club opened its doors to the finalists and sponsors of the Dorset Business Awards to host an exclusive celebration to mark the penultimate stage of the 2013 competition.
Sponsored by the Dorset and South Wiltshire Local Network of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Meet the Finalists event saw 30 finalists representing a range of industries, from manufacturing and retailing to hospitality and technology, get together ahead of the Gala Dinner to applaud their success on reaching the finals and find out about the Awards ceremony at the Lighthouse Poole taking place on November 28.
Peter Scott, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says: “We wish to thank the Dorset and South Wiltshire Local Network of the IET for supporting this important occasion. The Meet the Finalists event was a fantastic opportunity for our sponsors to raise their glasses and make a toast to this year’s firms and business people who have made it onto the shortlist. We look forward to announcing the winners at the Awards Gala Dinner, which will be hosted by BBC South Today newsreader Laura Trant, at the end of this month.”
The 2013 finalists (in alphabetical order):
Apprenticeship Training Award sponsored by Superior
- Aish Technologies, Poole
- Bias Technology Support Limited, Poole
- Kingston Maurward College (Hospitality Department), Dorchester
Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P. Morgan
- Blondz Hair, Weymouth
- Motcombe Community Shop Ltd, Shaftesbury
- Winning Smiles (Gillingham) Ltd
Business Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Barclays
- Doris & Daisy (Maria Leese), Wimborne
- Folk (Jo Cruickshanks), Poole
- LoveLove Films (Georgina Hurcombe), Bournemouth
Dorset Tourism Award, co-sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR
- Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
- The Green House, Bournemouth
- The Grove, Bournemouth
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University
- Beales Gourmet Ltd (Tony Beales), Poole
- C4L (Matt Hawkins), Poole
- Ratio (Marc Biles), Bournemouth
Hays Employee of the Year Award
- BOFA International Ltd (Shelagh Clyde), Poole
- Christchurch & East Dorset Partnership (David Hopkins), Christchurch
- Lewis-Manning Hospice (Maria Tidy), Poole
KPMG & Lester Aldridge Company of the Year Award
- Atlas Elektronik UK Ltd, Winfrith Newburgh
- Churchill Retirement Living, Ringwood
- Health-On-Line, Bournemouth
Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award
- Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors Ltd, Wimborne
- Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), Poole
- The Green House , Bournemouth
Princecroft Willis Family Business Award
- DJ Property, Weymouth
- D Stewart & Son Ltd - “Stewarts”, Christchurch
- RJ Balson & Son, Bridport
Retail Excellence Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
- Animal, Poole
- Fab Frocks of Westbourne
- The Body Shop, Poole
The Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, are organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105. The Gala Dinner Awards ceremony takes place at the Lighthouse, Poole, on Thursday November 28. To purchase tickets for the Awards Gala Dinner please contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812. Tickets cost £85+VAT each or £800 + VAT for a table of 10 (Dorset Chamber members) and tickets cost £95+VAT each or £900 + VAT for a table of 10 (Non-Dorset Chamber members).