With 17 organisations and individuals rewarded for their contributions to business success in Britain including Co-op boss Peter Marks who won the Orange Leader of the Year award, it really was a night to remember for many. The public was invited to vote for their favourite leader to win the accolade and their votes were combined with those of an expert panel of 25 judges to make the final tough decision.
Liverpool’s T.J. Morris – Home Bargains won the 3i Private Business of the Year category; London-based Inmarsat triumphed with the Coutts & Co Large-Cap Business of the Year Award; and ASOS, the online fashion and beauty retailer, was presented with the Grant Thornton Mid-Cap Business of the Year Award. It was Sir Philip Hampton, Chairman, RBS who won the coveted Daily Telegraph Award for Decade of Excellence in Business.
Public service organisations also fared well with The Environment Agency, based in Bristol, securing the Better Regulation Award. Forensic Pathways & Cambridgeshire Constabulary won the Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award for its innovative private public partnership that set out to improve the management of police evidence and intelligence across Cambridgeshire. As the first adopter of FPL’s state-of-the-art technology now being rolled out across the globe, the Cambridge Force has seen significant upturns in efficiency and corresponding downturns in operating costs.
A category peppered with first class enterprises, the much sought after Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year accolade, went to Suffolk’s Go Ape! High Wire Forest Adventure. “It’s past, one not without challenges, has brought to a healthy present and the Chief Gorilla (also known as Tristram Mayhew when he’s off duty) has laid out a careful and measured path to a diversified future and long term prosperity. The judges felt Go Ape! have all the makings of a model small-to-medium sized business”, said Robert Janes, Vice Chairman of Judges.
Commenting on the caliber and strength of the public and private sector organisations taking part in The National Business Awards this year, Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, said:
“All finalists have demonstrated great strength in the ability to adapt and innovate quickly in response to challenging circumstances this year. We’re seeing a diverse range of businesses enjoying success, which should rightly stimulate confidence for any organisation to invest in both financial and human capital terms in UK plc. On behalf of the judges I would like to offer our congratulations to all finalists and winners on their achievement to date and wish them continuing success in the year ahead.”
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, The National Business Awards, sponsored Orange, is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business. The National Business Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its annual awards ceremonies and round-table events and is United Business Media’s leading awards programme.
The Winners
The Orange Leader of the Year Award
Peter Marks, CEO, Co-Operative Group, Manchester, M60 4ES
The 3i Private Business of the Year Award
TJ Morris – Home Bargains, Liverpool, L11 0JA
The Coutts & Co Large-Cap Business of the Year Award
Inmarsat, London, EC1Y 1AX
The Grant Thornton Mid-Cap Business of the Year Award
ASOS, London, NW1 7FB
The Daily Telegraph Award for Decade of Excellence in Business
Sir Philip Hampton, Chairman, The Royal Bank of Scotland
The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
Forensic Pathways and Cambridge Constabulary, Tamworth, B77 5ES
The Better Regulation Award
The Environment Agency, Bristol, BS10 6BF
The Health, Work and Well-being Award
Artizian, Wargrave, Berkshire, RG10 8PZ
The Health, Work and Well-being for Small Business Award
The Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2AG
The ICAEW Corporate Responsibility Award
Framptons, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4BW
The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award
Go Ape!, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5HH
The businesslink.gov.uk Growth Strategy of the Year Award
dotDigital, Croydon, CR0 0XT
The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year Award
Addison Lee, London, NW1 3ER
The Customer Focus Award
DPD, Smethwick, B66 1BY
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sara Murray – buddi, London, SW3 2ND
The Marketing Strategy of the Year Award
HMRC, London, SW1A 2HQ
The Employer of the Year Award
Cirrus Communication Systems, New Milton, BH25 5NN