MANY people spend a lot of their life at work – so working in, and for, a great place is a massive plus.

Edison Smart, MiniTec UK Ltd, and Simpila Wellbeing are all walking the walk and talking the talk when it comes to being a Best Place to Work – and claiming that category crown is the prize that all three are in the running for at the INSPIRE Business Awards 2024.

Thursday, July 11 is the date for the diary and Oakley Hall, which is sponsor of the Best Place to Work category, will be the place to be as people and businesses from Basingstoke and Deane compete for the winner’s prize in 12 categories – there will also be a Winner of Winners Award.

Tickets for the INSPIRE Business Awards are now selling fast at destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/product/inspire-business-awards-2024 - fewer than 70 are left and once they are gone, they’re gone.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the headline sponsor of the 2024 awards, and is also among the category sponsors.

Former Hampshire and England cricketer Shaun Udal will be a VIP guest and co-compere at this year’s awards. Shaun, who is owner/director at Professional Workwear in Basingstoke, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 and is a supporter of Sport Parkinson’s – this year’s INSPIRE Business Awards charity.

Representatives from the finalists of the Best Place to Work category (Image: Sarah Gaunt/Destination Basingstoke) The INSPIRE Business Awards 2024 finalists are:

Large Business of the Year – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs

  • Castle Trust Bank
  • LG Motion
  • Caviste

Medium Business of the Year – sponsored by Centerprise International

  • Chennai Express
  • Milk Club
  • Harlequin Clothing, Printing and Signage

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke

  • Bumble & Bee
  • The Parlour Tearoom
  • The Topiary Salon

Wellbeing Champion – sponsored by SNG

  • Simpila Wellbeing
  • Inclusion Education
  • Eli Lilly and Company

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press

  • Holly Findlay
  • Jade Kelly
  • Carlee Osundina

Rural Business of the Year – sponsored by Worting House

  • Silchester Farm
  • Whitchurch Silk Mill
  • Wildflower Turf Limited

Apprentice of the Year ­– sponsored by Basingstoke College of Technology

  • Josh Harvey
  • Zara Smith
  • Henry Mason

Business and Community Champion – sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

  • The Champion Group
  • Unum
  • Newbury Building Society

Sustainable Champion – sponsored by PLANT

  • Brevity Marketing
  • Afrizi
  • Milk Club

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Fonseca Fitness
  • The Hampshire Vet
  • Milk Club

Service Excellence – sponsored by Professional Workwear

  • SightCare Services
  • NFU Mutual North Hampshire
  • Restaurant @BCoT

Best Place to Work – sponsored by Oakley Hall

  • Simpila Wellbeing
  • Mini Tec
  • Edison Smart

Winner of Winners – sponsored by Absolutely Offices

Awards Night Welcome Drinks Event sponsor – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Awards Night Entertainment sponsor – Allica Bank