THEY are the cream of the crop – congratulations to this year’s Inspire Business Awards finalists.

Nearly 100 entries came in for this year’s awards – and business stars and successful companies in the Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor and Test Valley areas found out who had made the final cut at a special event at the Apollo Hotel.

Finalists were announced in 11 categories – and now they will go through to a second round of judging when sponsor judges will visit each of the finalists before deciding who the winner of each category is.

The finalists heard an inspirational speech from award-winning local and nationally-renowned business leader Liz Jackson MBE, a previous Inspire Business Awards winner. Liz gave a great rallying call to the finalists, urging them to make the most of getting through to the final stages of the prestigious awards.

John Biffen, chair of the Inspire Business Awards steering group, said: “Congratulations to all those who have qualified as finalists for the Inspire Business Awards 2022-23.

“The various categories were keenly contested and it made for some challenging selections as the judges whittled down the finalists.”

“The judges, including a representative from each of the category sponsors, are now looking forward to the judging visits.”

The winners will be announced at a new-look awards ceremony, which this year is taking place at The Anvil, in Basingstoke, on Thursday, July 13.

This year’s charity is Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and The Gazette is once again the media partner for the prestigious awards. The overall headline supporter of the Inspire Business Awards is Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

All those selected as finalists will receive two free tickets to the awards final, and tickets will soon be going on sale for other guests to come along and be part of this very special event.

The 2022-23 finalists are:

Business of the Year (Over £1million turnover) – sponsored by Absolutely Offices

  • Scientific Management International
  • Phillips Law 
  • Wildflower Turf
  • Touchdown PR

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Menzies

  • Matthew Larcome
  • Farah Fonseca
  • Nikki Carr

Employer of the Year – sponsored by Reality HR

  • LG Motion
  • Right at Home
  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Scientific Management International

New Business of the Year – sponsored by TrustMark

  • Elai Restaurant
  • Afrizi
  • Physical Balance

Business and Community – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke

  • Fortem Financial Management Limited
  • THEMPC Limited
  • Yateley Sports Community Interest Company

Service Excellence – sponsored by Morr & Co Solicitors

  • Hampshire Tile Warehouse
  • Minerva Procurement Consultancy Services Ltd
  • Cevitr Ltd

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press

  • Michaela Hamilton
  • Dmitrijs Meiksans
  • La-Toyah McKenzie

Environmental Responsibility – sponsored by Vitacress

  • Longdog Brewery
  • Dignity Pet Crematorium
  • The Typeface Group

Wellbeing at Work – sponsored by Festival Place

  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Castle Trust Bank
  • Simpila Mental Health
  • Basingstoke College of Technology

Diversity and Inclusion Champion – sponsored by Sovereign

  • Penningtons Manches Cooper
  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Willows Coffee House
  • Basingstoke College of Technology

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by RSM

  • Indigo Bakes
  • Simpila Mental Health
  • Physical Balance