Judges announce finalists in the 20th Annual Dorset Business Awards
It’s judgement day for the great and good of Dorset’s business community, as the Finalists in the 20th annual Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo and the South’s leading radio station Wave 105, have now been chosen.
Over 30 judges spent up to a week working through a record 156 entries in order to produce the final shortlist of companies. A diverse range of high calibre businesses and individuals with BH or DT postcodes entered in 2014, with Finalists stretching from Gillingham to Portland and Bridport to Christchurch. This highlighted how relevant and important the Awards are to the business community.
The names of the winners will be revealed at a glittering 1920s-style Gala Dinner Awards ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 27. The ceremony will be hosted by Guy Henry, an English stage and screen actor whose TV appearances include Midsomer Murders, Lewis , Ricky Gervais’s Extras, Holby City and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 and 2. The evening will comprise a drinks reception, followed by a three-course dinner by BH Live and a private after-party at 1812 Bar & Restaurant.
The 10 worthy winners will receive a stunning Dorset Business Award Trophy and the other 20 finalists will be presented with a bottle of award-winning, Dorset based Furleigh Estate sparkling Classic Cuvee.
Ian Girling, Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says: “We’ve received a record number of entries this year, which just goes to show how important the Dorset Business Awards are to this region.”
He added: “What has been particularly inspiring is the range and diversity of businesses that have entered and it’s been a really difficult task for the judges to decide on the finalists for their Award – there are so many worthy winners!”
The 2014 finalists (in alphabetical order):
Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P. Morgan
Coleman Insurance Brokers, Poole
Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, Poole
Freshleaf Media Limited, Wimborne
Business Growth Award, sponsored by Advanced Exchequer
IADigital Ltd, Bournemouth
Koh Thai Tapas, Poole
The Training Room, Poole
Dorset Export Award, sponsored by Atlas Elektronik UK
Kite Clothing Limited (Kite), Poole
Micro Nav Limited, Bournemouth
Think Research Ltd, Poole
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University
Diamond Sporting Group Ltd, Poole (Sophie Christy and the Executive Team)
Eco Sustainable Solutions Ltd, Christchurch (Trelawney Dampney)
Intergage Ltd, Poole (Paul Tansey)
Excellence in Innovation Award, sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR
Permavent Ltd, Weymouth
The TwinsFX, Poole
Wessex Internet, Blandford
Hays Employee of the Year Award
Borough of Poole (Jeanette Yorke), Poole
C4L (Richard Halsey), Poole
Menzies East Cliff Court Hotel (Paul Clarke), Bournemouth
Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award
Colten Care, Ringwood
Dextra Group Plc, Gillingham
The Koh Group, Poole
Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award
Health-on-Line, Bournemouth
KingsWood Day Nursery, Alderholt
Poole Housing Partnership, Poole
Princecroft Willis Family Business Award
Allum & Sidaway, Dorchester
Crest Pumps Limited , New Milton
RJ Balson & Son, Bridport
Retail Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
Allum & Sidaway, Dorchester
Animal, Poole
River Island, Poole
To celebrate reaching the penultimate stage of the competition, all Finalists have been invited to attend an exclusive drinks reception at the Guildhall on Monday November 17, where they get to meet each other and their Sponsor.
Tickets purchased for the black tie Awards Gala Dinner cost £85 + VAT (Chamber members), £95 + VAT (non-Chamber members) or £800 + Vat for a table of 10 (Chamber members) or £900 + VAT (non-Chamber members). To book places please call Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.