IT’S been a great build-up – and tonight’s the night when the winners of the Inspire Business Awards for 2022-23 will be revealed.

A total of 11 category trophies and a Winner of Winners award, sponsored by overall event sponsor Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, will be presented at The Anvil tonight.

Cllr Paul Harvey, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is looking forward to the prestigious awards, and to presenting the Winner of Winners prize.

He said: “Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is proud to sponsor the Inspire Business Awards. The awards showcase the best of local business, and all of the finalists have made such a positive impact for business in our region.

“The standard of entries for this year’s awards was very high, and I look forward to congratulating all the organisations on their achievements.”

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Award-winning adventurer Jordan Wylie MBE – star of hit series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted – will be a VIP guest and compere at this year’s awards, which are organised by Destination Basingstoke and supported by a range of local businesses as category sponsors and event partners.

Former soldier Jordan, who was awarded a MBE by King Charles III for his services to education and charity on the Horn of Africa in January 2023, is a supporter of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) – the chosen charity of the 2022-23 Inspire Business Awards.

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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