THE KENT INVICTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AWARDS 2009
This year’s Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, a superb venue in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, on Wednesday 25th March.
The Awards were introduced by the Chamber in 2006 to celebrate business excellence in the areas for which Kent Invicta is the British Chambers of Commerce accredited Chamber: Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tonbridge & Malling, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Wells. They have become established as one of the most prestigious business awards in the County.
Chamber Chief Executive Mrs Jo James said “It was a superb evening in every aspect. My thanks go to everyone involved: the venue, the caterers, the judges, the guests and, most importantly, the entrants. My congratulations go to all the winners. It is a pity that, with so many deserving businesses to choose from, not all can succeed. But then, that is what competition and reward are all about!”.
Awards were made in four categories:
- Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Canterbury Enterprise Hub
- Most Promising New Business, sponsored by HSBC
- Business of the Year, sponsored by University of Kent
- Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by Brachers Law.
Other sponsors of various aspects of the Awards were:
Ashford Borough Council, Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council, and The Kent Messenger Group.
The judging panel were:
Carole Barron of University of Kent, Nick Rowell of Portable Business School, David Butler of Canterbury Enterprise Hub, Graham Jordan of HSBC, Henry Nydam of Brachers Law, and Morag Welham of Kent Messenger Group.
At the Awards ceremony, guest were greeted by a reception drink, and after a welcome from Jo James enjoyed a three-course meal before the winners were announced and the awards made.
Winners and finalists were:
Entrepreneur of the year Winner – Paul Andrews, jobsinkent.com, On-line recruitment, of Maidstone. Finalists – Clive Gawler, Red Alert Telecare Ltd, remote monitoring of vulnerable people, of Ashford. Rob Ward, Sennet Insurance Services Ltd, specialist insurance brokers, of Canterbury.
Most Promising New Business Winner – Red Alert Telecare Ltd, remote monitoring of vulnerable people, of Ashford. Finalists – Kent Trainers Ltd, Training Provider, of Paddock Wood. Insight Bridge Limited, Marketing, retail & analysis planning, of Whitstable.
Business of the Year Winner – Sunray Engineering Co Ltd, steel door manufacturer, of Ashford. Finalists – The Woodley Coles LLP, Quantity surveyors and construction cost managers, of Challock. Rich Picture Ltd, Organisational & Personal development, of Ashford.
Excellence in Customer Service Winner – The Woodley Coles LLP, Quantity surveyors and construction cost managers, of Challock. Finalists – CAT Limited, I.T. Services, of Canterbury. Bridgewood Manor Hotel, Hotel & Hospitality, of Chatham.
The winner of each category was presented with an engraved glass award and a cash award, plus free membership of the Chamber for 12 months. The other finalists also received an award.
Jo James commented “Kent is proving to be a great place to do business, even in the depths of our current economic problems. Kent companies are showing that even adverse conditions can be overcome by diligence and sheer hard graft. Kent Invicta Chamber is pleased and proud to acknowledge this with our Business Awards”.
PICTURES:
Entrepreneur Of The Year
Sponsored by Canterbury Enteprise Hub
Winner Paul Andrews of Jobsinkent.com
Paul Andrews (right) of Jobsinkent.com with David Butler of Canterbury Enterprise Hub, sponsor of the award.
Finalist Clive Gawler of Red Alert Telecare Ltd
Finalist Robert Ward of Sennet Insurance Services Ltd
Most Promising New Business
Sponsored by HSBC
Winner Red Alert Telecare Ltd
Clive Gawler (right) of Red Alert Telecare Ltd with Graham Jordan of HSBC, sponsor of the award.
Finalist Kent Trainers Ltd
Finalist Insight Bridge Ltd
Business Of The Year
Sponsored by University Of Kent
Winner Sunray Engineering Ltd
Sunray Engineering Ltd with Carole Barron of University of Kent, sponsor of the award.
Finalist The Woodley Coles LLP
Finalist Rich Picture Ltd
Excellence In Customer Service
Sponsored by Brachers Law
Winner The Woodley Coles LLP
The Woodley Coles LLP with Phil Cunningham of Brachers Law, sponsor of the award.
Finalist CAT Ltd
Finalist Bridgewood Manor Hotel
JUDGING PANEL
(From left to right); Henry Nydam - Brachers Law, Nick Rowell - Portable Business School, Morag Welham - Kent Messenger Group, Jo James - Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Carole Barron - University of Kent, Graham Jordan - HSBC, David Butler - Canterbury Enterprise Hub.
NOTE: Kent Invicta Chamber is the British Chambers of Commerce accredited Chamber for the areas of Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Tonbridge and Malling. The Chamber provides business support, organises business and social and networking events, and provides a range of cost-effective business services for members.
