It was a triumphant night for the county’s business community as the winners of the 2015 Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, were announced in front of a packed house at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 26.
Organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 700 guests were welcomed at the Hollywood glamour-themed gala dinner by the host, respected broadcaster and journalist Jonty Bloom.
With the introduction of a brand new category for 2015, ‘VoIP Unlimited Business Engagement with Education Award’ bringing the total categories up to 11, this year’s event was the largest in the Awards’ history with a record number of guests in attendance. The Awards took place in the Windsor Hall to accommodate all the sponsors, finalists and guests.
The winners received an impressive Dorset Business Award trophy, while all finalists were honoured with a bottle of award-winning sparkling wine from Dorset-based Furleigh Estate. To allow guests to carry on the celebrations, 1812 Bar & Restaurant opened its doors for the after-party.
Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “This year’s event was the largest in the history of the Awards. Not only did we receive a remarkable amount of entries across the highest number of categories, we were also honoured with a record number of guests who attended to pay tribute to the outstanding businesses we have thriving within Dorset.
He added: “On behalf of all the Award sponsors, I would like to offer our congratulations to all of the winners and finalists of the 2015 Dorset Business Awards, who help make this county great.”
The winners are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P.Morgan
Shortlisted:
- 4Com PLC, Bournemouth
- Hamworthy Heating, Poole
- Thirty Seven Coffee Shop Limited, Ferndown
Winner:
- Hamworthy Heating, Poole
Head judge, Caroline Donnell, of J.P. Morgan, said: “We were impressed by how Hamworthy Heating had taken a focused approach to respond to the needs of the community with extensive staff engagement. From initiatives such as ‘pond watch’, a weekly litter pick of the local nature reserve, to working with schools and young people, the company was able to demonstrate it had made a positive impact on the local community.”
Business Growth Award, sponsored by Advanced Exchequer
- Copyrite Business Solutions, Wimborne
- Koh Thai Tapas, Bournemouth
- TestLink Services Ltd, Poole
Winner:
- TestLink Services, Poole
Judge Paul Sparkes, marketing director at Advanced Exchequer, says: “TestLink Services was recently awarded a £15 million contract to provide ATM services over the next five years to a major blue chip organisation, this will see the company grow a further 40 per cent in the next year alone. Strong growth across all the metrics of turnover, profit and employees impressed all of our judges as well as the solid foundations on which the company has been built. Congratulations to our very worthy winner.”
Dorset Export Award, sponsored by ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK
Shortlisted:
- Actisense, Poole
- Ford Farm, Dorchester
- TestLink Services Ltd, Poole
Winner:
- Actisense, Poole
Judge Sam West, Marketing Manager at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK, said: “Actisense’s mix of commitment to timely product supply as well as excellent customer service, looking after the needs of its export customers from start to finish, is to be applauded. Its Actisense® product and brand is very strong, and this is due to a team of very committed people with a wide skill mix.
“They demonstrated excellence across every part of their business and their enthusiasm along with their commitment to export delivery made them winners for us.”
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University
Shortlisted:
- Adam Greenwood of Greenwood Campbell, Bournemouth
- Calvin Samways of Sea- NC Engineering Ltd, Portland
- Phil Whitehurst of Actisense, Poole
Winner:
- Phil Whitehurst, Actisense, Poole
Judge Dean Patton, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Bournemouth University, said: “Phil and his team of 16 full time employees have worked hard to build brand awareness across the globe and the business now exports via a distributor network to more than 30 countries. We were impressed with Phil’s record of sustained growth and his continued passion and ambitions for further innovation.”
Excellence in Innovation Award, sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR
Shortlisted:
- KaarbonTech Asset Management, Christchurch
- Motorwise Online Services Ltd, Parkstone
- Wessex Internet, Blandford
Winner:
- KaarbonTech Asset Management, Christchurch
Judge Liz Willingham, managing director of Liz Lean PR, said: “KaarbonTech Asset Management’s products are unique; they are completely scalable and flexible and can be used to manage any asset in any geographic location, giving the business significant opportunities for the future.
Fellow judge, Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Demonstrating healthy turnover and profit levels, whilst investing in strong customer service, the company’s vision and ambition has not overtaken the importance of sound business acumen.”
Hays Team of the Year Award
Shortlisted:
- Beales Gourmet & The Italian Villa, Poole
- Health-On-Line, Bournemouth
- Investec Wealth and Investment, Bournemouth
Winner:
- Health-on-Line, Bournemouth
Judge Samantha Paterson-Crofts, senior manager at Hays, said: “The IT team has allowed Health-on-Line to become one of the country’s fastest growing health insurance companies. The team has enabled business expansion, launching new complex products in 2015 at an impressive speed, a new administration system in 2014 to cope with the rising volume of policyholders, as well as a new claims system in 2012.
“With a forward-thinking, high-performing culture that is embedded within the IT team, they are well-regarded for creating and delivering solutions that the business requires.”
Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award
Shortlisted:
- C4L, Poole
- Greendale Construction Ltd, Poole
- TeamJobs, Poole
Winner:
- TeamJobs, Poole
Judges, Grant Esterhuizen of Lester Aldridge and Alex Fuller of Santander, said: “We considered TeamJobs to be the winning entry because of its impressive growth and consistent all-round performance. The company has made positive investments in staff and the business which complements the local Dorset economy.
“With the help of strong management we can see that this business will continue to grow and add value for Dorset over the next 10 years. TeamJobs has the potential to develop, not just on a local scale but nationally.”
Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award
Shortlisted:
- Ceuta Healthcare Ltd, Bournemouth
- Intergage, Poole
- Strategic Solutions Chartered Financial Planners, Poole
Winner:
- Ceuta Healthcare, Bournemouth
Judge David McNair, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Bournemouth, said: “We believe the Ceuta customer services team deserve this award because they are an extremely hard working and dedicated team. They possess all the exceptional qualities needed in a high quality service team and constantly receive praise and feedback as a result of the work they do and regularly go that extra mile. Ceuta is not just a job to them, but a career that they feel extremely proud of and this clearly shines through.”
Princecroft Willis Family Business Award
Shortlisted:
- Harts of Stur, Sturminster Newton
- Hunt’s Foodservice Limited, Sherborne
- Norman Motors, Bournemouth
Winner:
- Hunt’s Foodservice Limited, Sherborne
Judge Nick Love, Head of Family Business at Princecroft Willis, says: “This family company has its roots firmly in Sherborne. Family members have played key roles in the business throughout its history and today, five of the family are actively involved in the day-to-day operations and are not afraid to get stuck in to any area of the business when needed. This really is a success story and a worthy winner of the 2015 Princecroft Willis Family Business Award.”
Retail Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
Shortlisted:
- Fab Frocks of Westbourne
- Forum Jewellers Ltd, Broadstone
- Jordans Jewellers, Dorchester
Winner:
- Fab Frocks of Westbourne, Westbourne
Judge John Grinnell of the Dolphin Shopping Centre said: “Fab Frocks of Westbourne has more than 14 years’ experience, helping women find that special outfit for any occasion. Its commitment to customer service is first-class and the experienced and friendly staff are always on hand to help. From store to e-mail and social media, its commitment to the retail experience is exceptional.”
VoIP Unlimited Business Engagement with Education Award
Shortlisted:
- Hixons, Bournemouth
- LoveLove Films, Bournemouth
- Teachers Building Society, Wimborne
Winner:
- LoveLove Films, Bournemouth
Judge Mark Pillow, managing director of VoIP Unlimited, said: “LoveLove Films won due to its achievement with each individual put through its scheme. The scheme takes on approximately 30 placements a year, the majority for a timeframe of between two weeks to a month. With more than 100 students receiving direct benefit and 100 per cent of the placements having taken on further work from this, some placements even securing jobs for Ridley Scott, LoveLove Films has had a very successful year with not only this scheme but its new apprenticeship scheme too.”
The Awards are organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105. The Awards website, www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk is sponsored by RT Media.