Previous Winners & Judges Feedback
Mark Pearson
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Mark Pearson for Outstanding Personal Achievement, the chair of the judges said::
“From starting as a commis chef at Claridges under Gordon Ramsay to running a chain of gastropubs and creating the UK's first discount offers website MyVoucherCodes, Mark Pearson has had a remarkable career. Starting with just ??300, Mark turned MyVoucherCodes into a business worth tens of millions thanks to his extraordinary drive and innovation. What is even more remarkable is that he created a series of firsts in digital marketing after teaching himself the various disciplines and techniques. Now fully committed to helping other entrepreneurs and promoting entrepreneurship, Mark is an exceptional business leader who has changed the face of internet shopping for millions of customers.”
Environment Agency
Commenting on the Best Business Award to the Environment Agency for Best Employer, the chair of the judges said::
“With 11,000 employees the Environment Agency (EA) has clearly demonstrated that it believes its greatest asset is its team. This is highlighted by the care the agency has taken to encourage members of staff to live healthy lifestyles by introducing a Keeping Healthy and Feeling Great programme. In addition to a monthly programme of wellbeing tips and events, the EA also focused on the two main causes of long-term absence - back-pain and mental ill-health. The pro-active approach to improving mental outlook, Healthy Minds: Happier People, is particularly innovative, allowing people to access support without stigma. Many congratulations to the Environment Agency by setting a new standard as a caring employer.”
Diane Doran
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Diane Doran for Outstanding Female Entrepreneur, the chair of the judges said::
“Diane Doran has transformed what was a failing hotel in North Nottinghamshire into a much sought-after holiday and short-break destination as well as a highly popular venue for weddings and other events. Within just two years of taking over the hotel, Diane has put it on a steady trajectory of business growth, improvement in service and made it one of the hottest venues in the region. At the core of Diane's strategy has been a meticulously drawn up business plan for the Mansfield Manor Hotel. Within her sights is gaining four-star accreditation - and if the past two years is anything to go by Diane will achieve this well ahead of schedule. Many congratulations to Diane Doran for fantastic entrepreneurship in a competitive market.”
Jones FM
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Jones FM for Best Customer Focus, the Chair of the judges said::
“It is part of the DNA of Jones Facilities Management (Jones FM) that the maintenance and engineering company goes the extra mile for its customers. This is highlighted by the extraordinary initiatives the company has undertaken to reduce costs and save energy for businesses using premises and offices that Jones FM is responsible for maintaining. From installing LED lighting to providing automated meter reading so businesses can monitor their energy use at a glance, Jones FM puts its customers first - and this in turn has driven growth. Many congratulations to Jones FM for making customers their No 1 priority.”
Willowbrook Foods
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Willowbrook Foods for Best Innovation, the chair of the judges said::
“Willowbrook Foods has fond a recipe for success by creating two unique food products - curry-flavoured mayonnaise and curry-flavoured coleslaw. The company drew on its expertise and ten-year experience in making its own mayonnaise to develop the new delicacies which required considerable skill in creating the right consistency and texture. Sales have been a runaway success in a highly competitive food sector against major global corporations. Very well done and congratulations to Willowbrook Foods for demonstrating outstanding innovation in the development of new food products to tempt our appetites.”
Michael Chandler
Commenting on the award to Michael Chandler, in the Outstanding Entrepreneur category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Security expert Michael Chandler has risen up the ranks in the covert world of private protection and investigations and now runs an international empire. He originally started his business Vanquish Security & Investigation Consultants in London with ??350.00. Today he provides training for security personnel, he has an online shop that sells security and surveillance equipment, and he offers specialist protection services. The company has also just expanded into the US. His career path has the hallmark of a serial entrepreneur. Michael is a true entrepreneur with a talent for spotting opportunities and turning them into thriving businesses.”
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Cotman Housing Association
Commenting on the award to Cotman Housing Association, in the Best Housing Association category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Cotman Housing Association is an impressive community-centred organisation that has made a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people in East Anglia. It is efficiently run by a talented team of people who have produced a healthy set of figures including a 20% leap in turnover. As a not-for-dividend company, money is ploughed back into the business to provide housing services for more people in the community. It is a highly innovative organisation that sources funding in a creative way and always goes the extra mile in everything it does.”
Places for People Homes
Commenting on the award to Places for People Homes, in the Best Employer category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“By offering people careers rather than jobs, property regeneration company Places for People Homes Group has built up a staff of motivated people who are committed to the company's mission to create sustainable neighbourhoods. Using skills gap analysis, talent management and succession planning, the company has developed its staff and sourced the right people to cope with constant change and cuts in public spending. Communicating with staff is top of the management team's agenda and, consequently, the firm has seen a giant-sized leap in staff engagement of 10% over the past year.”
Santander
Commenting on the award to Santander, in the Outstanding Innovation category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Santander has taken the fear out of checking your bank balance with its SmartBank mobile app, which displays information in a friendly, meaningful way. Users can personalise their figures so they can check how much is coming in and how much they are spending at certain retailers or restaurants etc. For the bank, it helps them understand their customers and offer them other products. Proving how popular it is, already more than 60,000 customers have downloaded the SmartBank app. A brilliant product by a smart bank that others are sure to copy.”
Captain Mark Hopking
Commenting on the award to Captain Mark Hopking, in the Outstanding Achievement category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“With compliance of regulations in the maritime world increasingly onerous, Captain Mark Hopking has revolutionised onboard processes with his unique Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM). Taking eight years to develop, Captain Hopking's PPM gives management a fully integrated document, distribution, tracking and auditing system. The tool gives transparency over all onboard admin, streamlines the HR function, creates consistency across all processes and cuts the admin burden by a quarter. By making admin much easier to manage, Captain Hopking has made a great contribution towards increasing compliance and improving safety at sea.”
East Renfrewshire Council
Commenting on the award to East Renfrewshire Council, in the Best Information Technology category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“East Renfrewshire Council has successfully implemented a game changing ICT collaboration programme with nearby local councils through the deployment of Huddle, a pan-government, cloud collaboration platform. Old fashioned email just wasn't up to doing the job, whereas Huddle is secure, easy to use and it enables users to manage, audit and track documents. Six ICT collaboration projects are now underway and the council is hoping to extend the collaboration to other councils. The council has demonstrated that it is an outstanding leader in IT creating more opportunities for wider sharing of ICT initiatives in the public sector.”
Borough of Poole Council
Commenting on the award to Borough of Poole Council, in the Best Information Technology category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Borough of Poole Council has streamlined the onerous child adoption process through the deployment of the latest technology. With multiple agencies involved and enormous bundles of legal documents, the process was an admin nightmare. By using Huddle, a pan-government, secure cloud collaboration platform, and iPad 2s, the council has saved ??60,000 a year in printing costs, reduced the need for bundles of papers to be moved around and made the whole process a more enjoyable experience for users. Most importantly, the new system will help children in need get placed in suitable homes more quickly.”
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.
Pfizer
Commenting on the award to Pfizer Turkey, in the Best Marketing category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Turkey is helping older people learn more about healthy living through its ambitious Sen ??ok Ya??a (Live Long) marketing campaign. Using the wonderful slogan, 'Your job is to go after your dreams. Our job at Pfizer is to make sure that you live long and well enough to achieve them,' the company has creatively employed all the marketing communication tools it can muster including exhibitions, collaborations with other organisations, press relations and e-magazines. By helping to get the message across about healthy eating and exercise, Pfizer making its mark on the health of the Turkish nation.”
PremFina
Commenting on the award to PremFina, in the Best New Business category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“PremFina is a new innovative premium finance company that enables insurance brokers to offer own-branded loan finance to their customers and set their own prices. By using cloud-based software as a service platform, PremFina provides a slick solution that plugs into an insurance broker's existing policy admin system. The company has also secured reliable funding of ??40 million for the UK market from a European institution. This is an excellent proposition that takes the clunkiness out of technology and provides brokers with the option to sell more products to their customers.”
Reassured Health
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Reassured Health, the chairman of the judges said::
“Launched only two years, Reassured Health has seen its turnover increase almost ten fold while the number of staff have risen almost four-fold. This exceptional growth is the result of their sharp focus on customer service and an innovative programme of aftercare, as well as having considerable measures and programmes in place for staff development and engagement. Well done to Reassured Health for building such a successful new business in a highly competitive marketplace.”
Ashok Lakhani of Kolak Snack Foods Ltd
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Ashok Lakhani of Kolak Snack Foods Ltd for Outstanding Personal Achievement, the chairman of the judges said::
“Ashok Lakhani has achieved a truly remarkable feat in business - 30 years of unbroken growth. Starting in 1984 he has built up Kolak Snack Foods into a business that employs more than 1,000 people. Since 2008, he has trebled sales and increased recruitment, investment and training to match while other companies in his sector have faltered and fallen. Clearly an entrepreneur of great vision, skill and drive to overcome all obstacles, Mr Lakhani is a most worthy winner of a Best Business Award for Outstanding Personal Achievement.”
Kolak Snack Foods
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Kolak Snack Foods for Outstanding Large Business, the Chairman of the judges said::
“Kolak Snack Foods has enjoyed exponential growth with turnover increasing more than three-fold over the last six years and headcount rising by over 350 to 1,000 plus. In the highly competitive crisp and snack sector, the company has delivered 30 years of unbroken growth - a phenomenal achievement particularly any industry, particularly food manufacturing. As well as producing quality products, the company has invested in a new processing factory and sets an outstanding example in staff training and development. Many congratulations to Kolak Snack Foods for setting a new standard of superb business success in a very tough marketplace.”
Advinia Healthcare
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Advinia Healthcare for Best Customer Focus, the Chairman of the judges said::
“In the past year Advinia which operates 18 care homes in the UK has transformed its operations at every level, upgrading facilities, introducing many initiatives to boost staff engagement and restructuring its management processes. At the heart of the improvements has been one goal - to transform the experience for Advinia's 500 residents who now enjoy many new benefits such as refurbished premises, packed activity programmes and nice touches such as pets in each home. The whole team at Advinia have fully embraced the changes and the company and staff deserve to be congratulated on their fantastic achievement.”
Zorlu Center, Istanbul
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Zorlu Center, Istanbul, for Best Corporate Social Responsibility, the chairman of the judges said::
“The Zorlu Center has helped make the dreams of 25 children with life-threatening conditions come true thanks to a highly innovative fund-raising event at the Center, in collaboration with the Make A Wish Foundation and Disney. Ten top fashion stylists created new designs based on the theme of Disney Princesses which were then auctioned at a gala event that attracted huge publicity across the country. The event greatly exceeded expectations and is an example of Corporate Social Responsibility at its best.”
Zorlu Center, Istanbul
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Zorlu Center, Istanbul, for Best Corporate Social Responsibility, the chairman of the judges said::
“The Zorlu Center has helped make the dreams of 25 children with life-threatening conditions come true thanks to a highly innovative fund-raising event at the Center, in collaboration with the Make A Wish Foundation and Disney. Ten top fashion stylists created new designs based on the theme of Disney Princesses which were then auctioned at a gala event that attracted huge publicity across the country. The event greatly exceeded expectations and is an example of Corporate Social Responsibility at its best.”
CarCashPoint
Commenting on the Best Business Award to CarCashPoint for Best Customer Focus, the Chairman of the judges said::
“Established only four years ago, CarCashPoint has raised the bar on customer service in the logbook loan sector by introducing many innovative new services and putting the customer at the heart of their operations. Among features which make the company stand out are offering pay-as-you-go interest and the ability to make overpayments without incurring penalties. The company exceeds all the regulatory requirements and adopts the highest ethical standards - little wonder it has been rated the UK's favourite logbook lender and has seen its turnover almost double in the last year. Many congratulations to CarCashPoint for building a truly customer-centric business.”
Centre of Excellence Online
Commenting on the Best Business Award to Centre of Excellence Online for Best Small to Medium Sized Business, the Chairman of the judges said::
“In the last two years Sara Lou-Ann Jones has built an online training company from scratch into a highly successful business with 400,000 customers that sells training courses around the world. It is a story of phenomenal success and congratulations to Sara Lou-Ann Jones for harnessing the power of internet marketing to show what can be achieved by meticulous research, entrepreneurial flair, sheer determination and hard work!”
Sean Ramsden, Chief Executive of Ramsden International
Commenting on the award to Sean Ramsden, Chief Executive of Ramsden International, in the Outstanding Personal Achievement category, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“Building up Ramsden International from nothing to a market leader that exports British-branded groceries to 100 countries, Sean Ramsden has flown the flag for Britain and sold the country's favourite brands to expatriates all around the world. Year-on-year growth over the past 18 years has remained steady at 27%, which is quite phenomenal in itself, especially considering the recent recession. Sean has also made a great contribution to North Lincolnshire, where the business is based, and provided much-needed employment to 76 people.”
Turk Ekonomi Bankasi (TEB)
Commenting on the award to Turk Ekonomi Bankasi (TEB) in the Best Product/Service Range, the Chairman of the Judges said::
“To support budding entrepreneurs in Turkey, TEB has taken the bold move of being the first bank to offer banking services to start-up businesses. TEB Start-Up Banking is not just about loans, overdrafts and transaction services. Each customer has a dedicated relationship manager who has been trained to understand the needs of their customers. The relationship managers provide advice to company owners on every aspect of running a business including research, planning and marketing. It is a broad and comprehensive service that will have a great impact on the Turkish economy and give start ups a good chance of surviving and thriving.”
