First Herefordshire Business Awards Celebrates Success

On Friday 29th September the Herefordshire Business Community gathered in their smart dinning outfits at the Three Counties Hotel for the first Herefordshire Business Awards.

The 15 Awards were open to all independent businesses in Herefordshire and were free to enter. The evening was a celebration of talent and success rewarding Herefordshire’s high achievers, inspirational leaders and growing businesses.

The event, hosted by the Award-winning presenter from ITV News Central, Matt Teale, was organised by the team at Herefordshire Means Business and sponsored by Hereford Business Solutions Centre part of the University of Wolverhampton. The independent judging panel included Frank Myers MBE, Bobbie Heavens MBE and Charlotte Thomas.

With well over 100 applications from all areas of the County, the ceremony was filled with 240 guests including the finalists, sponsors and invited guests Bill Wiggin MP, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Sharon Michael and the Chairman of Herefordshire Council Brian Wilcox. Mr Wiggin expressed his gratitude saying:

“I felt a tremendous sense of pride and delight at the large number of nominated businesses which we have in Herefordshire. Clearly this is a County which brings out the very best in both its employers and their staff. As well as the generosity of the category sponsors, their input into the results simply added to the winners sense of achievement. There was an amazing atmosphere as the awards recognised a wide range of business and a broad spectrum of industries. Through my role, I attend a large number of awards and this was one which is not to be missed. It was beautifully organised, prestigious and impressive and so were the winners.”

The winners on the night were: New Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Hereford Business Solutions Centre was won by The Send Climbing Centre. Small Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Good2Great, was won by Pyon Products Ltd. Medium Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored By Ducketts Trusted Advisors, was won by WeCan Products Ltd. Large Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, was won by Central Roofing and Building Services. Growing Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Marches Growth Hub, was won by The DM Lab. Employer of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Westons Cider, was won by School Uniform Shop. Apprentice of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Halo Leisure, was won by Anna Kananska, an apprentice at Kemble Training. Best use of Technology of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Kingspan, was won by SimpliWiFi. Retailer of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Lloyds Bank, was also won by School Uniform Shop. Food & Drink Retailer of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Area Entertainments, was won by Newton Court Cider. Professional Services Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by WeCan Solutions, was won by Workplace Wellbeing Ltd. Eco-Friendly Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Dawleys, was won by Caplor Group. Family Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Shooting Reels, was won by HFT Forklifts Limited. Creative Business of the Year 2017 Sponsored by Like Radio, was won by Orphans Press. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award This Award was chosen by the judging panel, on the basis of proven performance and application of the highest standards in business. This award was also won by WeCan Solutions.