Top companies from across the Thames Valley joined forces for a glittering awards ceremony at Reading’s Royal Berkshire Conference Centre.
The Thames Valley Business Awards, now in its 15th year, attracted entries from all four corners of the region and winners came from as far afield as Eynsham, Chesham, Banbury and Reading.
Guest of honour Lord Lamont, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, called the evening a “fantastic occasion with an incredible atmosphere” and paid tribute to the hard work and effort shown by all those who had taken part.
The event, held on November 19, saw companies competing for six different awards and Awards chairman, David Murray said: “This year’s entries have been as good, if not better, than ever and we have been really impressed by the quality and the stature of companies that have participated.
“This shows that, despite tough times out there in the marketplace, our area is home to some fantastic companies that lead the way in management and strategy, in their produces and services, and in innovation and entrepreneurial zeal.
“I would like to congratulate all of them for their hard work and effort and we hope that we will see many more succeed again in the future.”
It was then over to Lord Lamont to announce the winners:
Taking home the title of SME of the Year, sponsored by The Business Magazine, was specialist environmental services supplier Maylarch Environmental from Eynsham, with Oxford company KeyHIPS in second place and Taplow’s Mandeville Recruitment in third. Highly commended were Metric Office Furniture, Peros and Reflex.
One of two new awards this year was the Thames Valley Export Award, sponsored by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East, and it was Chesham’s Axell Wireless, a leading developer of wireless coverage equipment, which took top honours. Banbury’s Norbar Torque Tools was in second, with Foster Wheeler Energy from Reading in third. Highly commended were Spice Application Systems, Signet International and RWS Group
The Royal Bank of Scotland sponsored the Business Management Team of the Year and High Wycombe-based Peros, the UK’s leading foodservice provider of fairtrade and ethical products walked away with the title for the first time. Saftdwin, trading as The Martins Group, with a network of car dealerships in Andover, Basingstoke, Camberley, Farnham and Winchester took second spot and Thatcham’s Prestige Network was third. Highly commended were BW Interiors, InstaFoam & Fibre Ltd and Chris Lewis Fire & Security.
Competition for the title of Deloitte Dynamic Business Award was so tough that the judges decided to award a joint first prize to High Wycombe’s Azzurri Communications , provider of managed communications services, and food service provider BaxterStorey, from Reading.
In third place was Wokingham’s Leasedrive Velo, with highly commended certificates going to Softcat, Acision and Dreams.
There was double success for two Oxford companies as they took top spots in the second new award of the evening.
The Best Place to Work Award, sponsored for the first time by commercial property specialist Vail Williams, was won by Nominet UK, the not-for-profit organisation which is at the heart of the UK’s e-commerce industry. In second place was public services provider Amey; while Connexions Thames Valley, which works with young people at a network of Connexions Centres across the region, took third place. Highly commended were Stoke Park, MEPC Chineham Park and TVision Technology.
One of the most sought after titles of the evening is The Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Pitmans solicitors, and it was global company SDL, which has its headquarters in Maidenhead, which claimed the title for the second time in three years.
Amey was once again in second place, while Practicus, which is based in Henley-on-Thames, took third place. Highly commended were Ultima Business Solutions, MeetingZone and Kinnarps.