-Finalists set to meet in penultimate stage of the Dorset Business Awards-
Dorset Business Award finalists stretching from Gillingham to Weymouth and Ringwood to Bridport are set to gather at an exclusive drinks reception on Monday November 18 to celebrate reaching the penultimate step in the 2013 competition.
Finalists in this year’s Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, represent a range of industries, from manufacturing and retailing to hospitality and technology. They will all get together at a Sponsors and Finalists drinks reception, sponsored by the Dorset and South Wiltshire Local Network of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET,) at Ferndown Golf Club on 18 November 2013.
The reception will provide finalists with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, meet award sponsors and other shortlisted finalists as well as find out about the Awards Gala Dinner.
John Savage, Chairman of the Dorset and South Wiltshire Local Network of the IET, says: “The aim our network is to raise awareness of science, engineering and technology in the region and the Meet the Finalists event will be a perfect forum for us to do this. With several of this year’s finalists working within the engineering and technology profession, it is evident that these sectors are thriving in Dorset. We wish everyone the best of luck.”
The 2013 finalists (in alphabetical order):
Apprenticeship Training Award sponsored by Superior
• Aish Technologies, Poole
• Bias Technology Support Limited, Poole
• Kingston Maurward College (Hospitality Department), Dorchester
Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P. Morgan
• Blondz Hair, Weymouth
• Motcombe Community Shop Ltd, Shaftesbury
• Winning Smiles (Gillingham) Ltd, Gillingham
Business Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Barclays
• Doris & Daisy (Maria Leese), Wimborne
• Folk (Jo Cruickshanks), Poole
• LoveLove Films (Georgina Hurcombe), Bournemouth
Dorset Tourism Award, co-sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR
• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
• The Green House, Bournemouth
• The Grove, Bournemouth
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University
• Beales Gourmet Ltd (Tony Beales), Poole
• C4L (Matt Hawkins), Poole
• Ratio (Marc Biles), Bournemouth
Hays Employee of the Year Award
• BOFA International Ltd (Shelagh Clyde), Poole
• Christchurch & East Dorset Partnership (David Hopkins), Christchurch
• Lewis Manning Hospice (Maria Tidy), Poole
KPMG & Lester Aldridge Company of the Year Award
• Atlas Elektronik UK Ltd, Winfrith Newburgh
• Churchill Retirement Living, Ringwood
• Health-On-Line, Bournemouth
Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award
• Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors Ltd, Wimborne
• Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), Poole
• The Green House , Bournemouth
Princecroft Willis Family Business Award
• DJ Property, Weymouth
• D Stewart & Son Ltd – “Stewarts”, Christchurch
• RJ Balson & Son, Bridport
Retail Excellence Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
• Animal, Poole
• Fab Frocks of Westbourne
• The Body Shop, Poole
The Awards are organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105. The Gala Dinner Awards ceremony takes place at the Lighthouse, Poole, on Thursday November 28. To purchase tickets for the Awards Gala Dinner please contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812. Tickets cost £85+VAT each or £800 + VAT for a table of 10 (Dorset Chamber members) and tickets cost £95+VAT each or £900 + VAT for a table of 10 (Non-Dorset Chamber members).