Previous Winners & Judges Feedback
Finegreen Associates
Commenting on the award to Finegreen Associates in the Best Small to Medium Size Business category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Through its commitment to providing value for money and a professional service, Finegreen Associates has defied market trends and achieved remarkable results in the healthcare recruitment market. Under Finegreen's excellent leadership, it has grown turnover, taken on more staff and won many more placements particularly in the executive and non-executive search sector. Its success can be firmly placed on its strategy to build long-term relationships with clients and to fully understand their recruitment needs. Highly ambitious and keen to increase its market share, Finegreen is in good shape for more exciting achievements.”
Consumer Intelligence Ltd
Commenting on the award to Consumer Intelligence Ltd for Best Product/ Service Range, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Congratulations to specialist marketing company Consumer Intelligence Ltd for finding a niche market of benchmarking products where there is little data available, such as the price of the dollar or car insurance. By conducting its own mystery shopping and data gathering, it provides valuable information to its clients on opaque products. Working with the banks and insurance companies, Consumer Intelligence is disclosing information that is utterly priceless. The products it has developed have also become a recognised as standard of excellence, which is a real accolade.”
Nef Turkey
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Nef Turkey for Best Innovation, the chairman of judges said::
“Nef have introduced a new level of innovation in the real estate market to help people get more from their homes. One of their outstanding ideas is 'Foldhome' which is a new concept in shared facilities with tenants having access to Playstation rooms, music rooms and even in-house cinemas among other unique facilities. Nef have also developed innovative new financial products to help people into home ownership. Many congratulations to Nef for listening to customers and developing a range of services that have breathed new life into real estate.”
First Fence Ltd
Commenting on the award to First Fence Ltd in the Best Product/ Service Range category, the chairman of the judges said::
“Congratulations to First Fence for transforming its business into a fast, responsive and competitive enterprise that goes to great lengths to provide its customers with the best products and service possible. First Fence has stayed ahead in its industry by having in-house manufacturing and offering a 24/7 sales service, which is unusual for the building sector. It is able to deliver on time and provide a same-day service because it has branches and a fleet of delivery vans all over the country. Well done to First Fence for providing a one-stop solution and for going the extra mile for its customers.”
Nef Turkey
Commenting on the award to Nef Turkey for Best Marketing, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Real estate company Nef Turkey has been selling properties like hot cakes with its Nef Seyrantepe 39 marketing campaign. By focusing on its target market and using word-of-mouth publicity techniques, news of the development spread like wildfire. Amazingly, all the properties sold in one hour and 48 minutes on the same day it was released. This is an incredible success rate, proving just how effective Nef's marketing strategy was. It has also made it customers realise that they have to act quickly to bag a Nef property. With marketing strategies like this, Nef Turkey is destined for even greater success.”
First Fence
Commenting on the award to First Fence Ltd for Best Small to Medium Sized Business, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“By moving with the times and investing in manufacturing, permanent and temporary security fencing company First Fence has become a leader in its sector. It has responded well to increased demand for security fencing in a number of sectors, including railways and aviation, by introducing new ways of working, making sure it always has stock available and opening multiple sites across the UK to speed up delivery. Turnover is now soaring ahead and it is now widely recognised as the place to go for specialist fencing.”
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Schnell Solutions
Commenting on the award to Schnell Solutions Limited, in the Best Innovation category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“When Schnell Solutions, a software specialist for web and mobile applications, was charged with building a web portal to collect data on bullying from school children for the National Children's Bureau, it was a considerable technical challenge. The web portal had to be national, self-service, low maintenance, cost effective and easy to use. Schnell Solutions overcame all of the hurdles and after six months with more than 285,000 pieces of data collected from 12,000 children, it is a resounding success. Congratulations to Schnell Solutions for helping a national charity fight back against the bullies.”
Octavia Housing
Commenting on the award to Octavia Housing, in the Best Communication category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Octavia Housing has cleverly maximised every publicity opportunity for its 150-year anniversary book called A Life More Noble, which is based on the story of its founder Victorian social reformer Octavia Hill. It Iooked beyond its core stakeholders and incorporated into the book the views from a mix of celebrities, politicians and actors, as well as staff and customers on London's housing issues. Making the most of social media, a VIP launch, press coverage, website articles and internal communications, Octavia achieved priceless media coverage. Distributed in seven major book stores, due to popular demand, the book is now in its second print run.”
Halo Financial Ltd
Commenting on the award to Halo Financial Ltd, in the Best Customer Focus category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“By focusing on foreign currency exchange and personal service, Halo Financial is beating the banks at their own game and offering cheaper trading rates. The broker has worked hard to get where it is. It monitors currency exchange rates 24/7 and provides each client with their own qualified technical adviser to ensure they get the best rates for their currency transactions. Consequently, Halo Financial receives top scores from customers and has seen double digit growth over the past two years. Congratulations to Halo Financial for shaking up the foreign exchange market.”
Smart E-Assessor Limited
Commenting on the award to Fiona Hudson-Kelly, Smart E-Assessor Limited, in the Outstanding Female Entrepreneur category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Supported by her family and funded by a small inheritance, Fiona Hudson-Kelly has invented an incredibly useful tool that helps apprentices manage their workload, meetings with assessors and deadlines for written work. Fiona got her big break when a training company brought her Smart Assessor tool. After that news about the tool spread like wildfire. After only four years, Fiona now employs 28 people and has a healthy turnover. Now in product development mode, Smart E-Assessor is tipped to come up with more new and exciting ideas.”
Cigna Finans Emeklilik
Commenting on the award to Cigna Finans Emeklilik in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category, the chairman of the judges said::
“With around 40% of cancers preventable, Cigna Finans Emeklilik has been running a vital wellbeing roadshow to make people more aware about healthy living that coincides with the launch of its Yes Life No Cancer insurance product. It is also commendable that Cigna Finans donates five Turkish Lira to the Turkish Cancer Association for every policy taken out. An excellent, far reaching campaign aimed at all sections of the population that will have a positive effect on the health of the Turkish nation.”
The Sign Group
Commenting on the award to The Sign Group, in the Best Innovation category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Congratulations to The Sign Group for lighting up the world with its revolutionary NeonPlus?? LED alternative to traditional glass neon. Made of acrylic, NeonPlus?? lighting doesn't break easily like glass and it doesn't use toxic gases. The Sign Group has moved display lighting into a new era where almost any colour, size and shape can be created. NeonPlus?? is a fantastic British-made invention that has captured the imagination of architects and designers and, already sold to Japan, Russia, China and Dubai, it is taking the export market by storm.”
Founder - Y2 Learn Driver Training
winning this last award has got me an invitation to join the Institute of Master Trainers Association. I’m really pleased
Director of Marketing, Solihull College
Winning a Best Business Award has provided us with a platform to raise our profile via the media. Since winning we have secured press coverage in key national and regional publications regarding the great work we are doing and we have attracted students to the college that may not have otherwise heard about us.
I would recommend the Best Business Awards to any dynamic organisation that wants to prove to stakeholders that it is delivering.
co-founder of Concert Live
If you are a young business without much marketing spend, then entering awards can be a cost-effective way of generating positive marketing and PR, because you are thrown into the spotlight. It also offers a seal of approval.
Potential customers can look at that and think “I’m happy to do business with this company”, because they have that recognition.
Kebony
Commenting on the award to Kebony in the Best Innovation category, the chairman of the judges said::
“With a third of the world's rainforests disappearing over the past 50 years, Kebony's innovative way of enhancing softwoods grown in sustainable forests is a brilliant way of making the most of limited resources while helping to reduce deforestation. The advantage of Kebony technology is that it is low cost and creates high performing wood. The company has opened up a new market in sustainable woods and Kebony products are already being used in building projects all over the world. Congratulations to Kebony for producing a ground-breaking technology that will have a huge impact globally.”
T??rk Ekonomi Bankas?? A.??
Commenting on the award to T??rk Ekonomi Bankas?? A.?? (TEB), in the Best New Product / Service (less than two years old) category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“TEB's Sanal Hesap, a virtual account for corporate clients, introduces a new service that speeds up the reconciliation of incoming payments. Designed for corporate clients with high volumes of incoming funds, the virtual account automates reconciliation enabling clients to gain from faster processing and more transparency over activities. Most of all, by taking advantage of new digital technologies, TEB has to be praised for cutting operational and processing costs, and providing higher service levels for its business clients.”
Do??u?? Holding A??
Commenting on the award to Do??u?? Holding A?? in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category, the chairman of the judges said::
“Do??u?? Group has shown great responsibility to the community in the way it has sponsored an important campaign with the Ministry of Education in Turkey to help school children learn the lessons about personal finance. The programme called The Three Piggy Banks aims to reach half a million students in 81 cities. With financial literacy linked to making better personal finance decisions in the future and, ultimately, to the success of the economy, the campaign is playing an important role in Turkey's economic growth.”
Cigna Finans Emeklilik
Commenting on the award to Cigna Finans Emeklilik in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category, the chairman of the judges said::
“With around 40% of cancers preventable, Cigna Finans Emeklilik has been running a vital wellbeing roadshow to make people more aware about healthy living that coincides with the launch of its Yes Life No Cancer insurance product. It is also commendable that Cigna Finans donates five Turkish Lira to the Turkish Cancer Association for every policy taken out. An excellent, far reaching campaign aimed at all sections of the population that will have a positive effect on the health of the Turkish nation.”
First Fence Ltd
Commenting on the award to First Fence Ltd in the Best Product/ Service Range category, the chairman of the judges said::
“Congratulations to First Fence for transforming its business into a fast, responsive and competitive enterprise that goes to great lengths to provide its customers with the best products and service possible. First Fence has stayed ahead in its industry by having in-house manufacturing and offering a 24/7 sales service, which is unusual for the building sector. It is able to deliver on time and provide a same-day service because it has branches and a fleet of delivery vans all over the country. Well done to First Fence for providing a one-stop solution and for going the extra mile for its customers.”
Agent42 EMEA Ltd
Commenting on the award to Lauren Tauben, Founder and Chief Executive of Agent42 EMEA Ltd, in the Outstanding Female Entrepreneur category, the Chairman of the judges said::
“In only a few years Lauren Tauben has created a highly successful international marketing and communications company Agent42 EMEA by setting up an office-free business. Taking advantage of the latest technology, her five employees work from home with meetings held in private members' club. In an age where women are starting to become recognised as thriving entrepreneurs, Lauren has broken the rules and defied convention. Driven by creativity and a passion for delivering outstanding work, she has taken on many household-name clients and has a healthy turnover. Congratulations to Lauren for doing things differently and achieving fantastic success.”
Fayre Share Foundation
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Fayre Share Foundation for Best Corporate Social Responsibility, the Chairman of the judges said::
“London is one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the world. Yet until recently there was no organisation for faith-based communities to work together in trying to achieve shared goals and objectives. Step forward Fayre Share Foundation which has created a brilliant example of collaborative partnership at its best ' Collaboration House where interfaith charities and organisations can work together and have greater impact while benefiting from reduced costs. Many congratulations to Fayre Share Foundation for a breathtaking initiative that truly reflects today's London and wider society in the UK.”
Maurice Ostro OBE
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Maurice Ostro OBE for Outstanding Personal Achievement, the chairman of the judges said::
“Maurice Ostro OBE is one of the most forward-thinking and visionary philanthropists in Britain. His area of interest is social cohesion and community engagement and in this he has excelled by creating a unique social initiative in which like-minded charities involved in interfaith relations can work together to have greater impact. Without his far-sighted approach, there is no doubt Collaboration House would not exist and inter-community relations in the UK would be worse off. Many congratulations to Maurice Ostro OBE for raising the bar on social impact through philanthropy and visionary leadership.”
Mike Tobin
Commenting on the award to Mike Tobin OBE, in the Outstanding Non-Executive Director category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Technology entrepreneur Mike Tobin OBE is a human dynamo who believes that fear of failure is the biggest inhibitor in society. He is literally unstoppable and his track record as a non-executive director (NED) is just incredible. He turned his Telecity Group into a ??1.6 billion empire from a ??6 million operation in a decade, and consequently is in great demand as a NED from businesses all over the world. One of the judges commented it was humbling just to read his entry and that he is the one person he would like to meet for lunch. Everywhere Mike goes success follows him and his charity work is equality impressive as his commercial achievements.”
??lan Hair Design
Commenting on the award to ??lan Hair Design in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“??lan Hair Design, based in Iverurie, Scotland, is a role model for all hairdressing salons wishing to cut their carbon footprint. It might not be cheap but after a ??250,000 refurbishment, ??lan Hair Design has achieved some staggering savings including a 82% reduction in water consumption and it has slashed electricity costs to ??625 a year from ??6,100. The salon now only consumes renewable energy and has switched to electric plug-in hybrid cars. It beggars belief, but it has cut its carbon footprint by an amazing 94%. ??lan Hair Design is also involved in many other areas of CSR but its commitment to the environment is awe inspiring.”
Merit Software
Commenting on the award to Merit Software, in the Best Innovation category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Merit Software has taken the drudge out of filling in timesheets and getting them signed by the employee with its totally automated iMerit digital system. Temporary workers simply submit their hours and expenses onto the iMerit website and all the client has to do is click on a link to approve for transmission to the payroll system. Moving with the times, the system is now available as an App. Saving employers, agencies and workers a huge amount of admin, time and money, iMerit, with more than one million users, is an absolute marvel.”
Pearl Linguistics
Commenting on the award to Pearl Linguists, in the Best Information Technology category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“To inject a dose of efficiency into services provided to its NHS clients, translation company Pearl Linguists has developed a fantastically useful new booking system called Orbit - online resource for booking interpreters and translators. It speeds up the booking process for translators and interpreters and eliminates errors. Introducing a faster, more effective booking system, Pearl Linguists has reduced the time it takes to provide an interpreter at an accident and emergency department from hours to less than 20 minutes, which is a life saver. This is a brilliant example of IT put to the best possible use.”
