FOR the first time in its history the INSPIRE Business Awards solely celebrated the amazing companies and businesspeople in Basingstoke and Deane.
Hundreds gathered at Oakley Hall hotel on Thursday, July 11, for the prestigious awards ceremony.
Trophies were presented to the winners of 12 categories and there was the coveted Winner of Winners award.
Kicking off the night, guests heard from former Hampshire and England cricketer Shaun Udal, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. This year’s charity was one close to his heart – Sport Parkinson’s, which aims to promote exercise and participation in sporting activities for people with Parkinson's Disease.
It was then onto the all-important awards. The winners were as follows:
Apprentice of the Year - sponsored by Basingstoke College of Technology
Winner: Henry Mason of Right Cue
Judges said that Henry is a “great example of an apprenticeship being an attractive alternative to a traditional full-time university degree”. He has grasped the opportunity to take greater responsibility at the business, leading customer accounts, developing his presentation skills and forging his expertise in cyber security.
On collecting his award, Henry thanked his colleagues, saying: “I couldn’t have done it without all of them, they have supported me all the way through.”
Henry also made a special mention to owner Yogesh Agarwal and head of HR and talent development, Marie Pike.
Runners-up: Zara Smith of Afrizi and Josh Harvey of Comfort Building Services Ltd
Small Business of the Year - sponsored by Destination Basingstoke
Winner: Parlour Tearoom
In 2010, the now owner Lucy Fisher started working at the tearoom and in 2017 was offered the opportunity to buy the business. Lucy now owns the business with her mum Sharon and the two have transformed the tearoom, experiencing 14.8 per cent net profit year on year.
Lucy thanked her team, saying: “It wouldn’t be possible without any of them. I want to say a very special thank you to my grandad who is here today and to my nan, without them the businesses wouldn’t have started.
“We sadly lost Nan a couple of weeks ago, so this one is for you both.”
Runners-up: Bumble & Bee and The Topiary Salon
New Business of the Year - sponsored by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Winner: The Hampshire Vet
Head vet, director and founder Emily said: “We’ve built the most amazing team at The Hampshire Vet, we have the most amazing staff and our customers are so loyal.
“We are delighted to give the best service in Basingstoke.”
Emily also thanked the vet’s first nurse, Ruth Miles, who ‘took a massive risk’ in leaving an established practice to join The Hampshire Vet.
Runners-up: Fonseca Fitness and Milk Club
Service Excellence - sponsored by Professional Workwear
Winner: SightCare
SightCare was selected by the judges because, while its business model is quite old-fashioned compared to the modern world, it was felt by that “they were pushing the boundaries and trying to move the business in various directions for the benefit of their client base as much as for themselves”.
Chief executive John French said: “For a small not-for-profit business this means a lot to us.
“If we look at the team, these people have been at SightCare for almost 100 years collectively, hopefully that indicates it is a great place to work, so, if we can pass that on to customers and our members, that means we are doing a good job.”
Runners-up: NFU Mutual North Hampshire and Restaurant @BCoT
Wellbeing Champion - sponsored by SNG
Winner: Inclusion Education
Judges said that innovation and development director Marie Greenhalgh and the team demonstrated real commitment to ensuring they have a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment that allows colleagues to thrive not just on their best days but on their worst days too.
Marie said: “We spend a lot of time, all our days, a lot of our hearts, supporting young people with mental health needs and SEND but it is so important to support our staff as well and that runs through everything we do.”
She added: “If you encourage someone to truly be themselves that is the best way to love them.”
Runners-up: Simpila Wellbeing and Eli Lilly and Company
Medium Business of the Year - sponsored by Centerprise International
Winner: Milk Club
Milk Club demonstrated an in-depth understanding of its market and has built a business on key tenets that it does not compromise on. Judges said: “In building their business, they have developed a diverse workforce who enjoy ‘fair work’ practices and have remained committed to ensuring their suppliers receive a better than fair price for their products.”
Owner Tom Moore said: “Big thank you to my wife Lucy, it was about two and half years ago, I was made redundant, and we had a baby on the way, and I thought this would be a great time to start a business.”
He added: “We are a milk man business, it died in 90s, but it is back.”
Runners-up: Harlequin Clothing, Printing and Signage and Chennai Express
Best Place to Work - sponsored by Oakley Hall
Winner: Simpila Wellbeing
Owner Matt Holman said: “I am so lucky to work with an amazing team – we are family first. We have one KPI in our business. which is to help people.
“I am so proud of this team, we just want to make a difference in this world, it is not about money, it is about people.”
He continued: “This award is for everybody. I love creating a company that isn’t a corporate business – it is family first.”
Runners-up: MiniTec UK and Edison Smart
Business and Community Champion – sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Winner: The Champion Group
The Champion Group demonstrated a positive sustainable and societal impact that it delivers year on year. Judges were really impressed by the breadth of activities, number of charity partners they support, combined with them using its staffs skills to support projects.
Group accountant Kevin Croombs said: “The reason we did so well this year with community fundraising is because of the charity we had, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
“They are amazing, we need them, support them, thank you.”
Runners-up: Unum and Newbury Building Society
Rural Business of the Year – sponsored by Worting House
Winner: Wildflower Turf Limited
The judges found Wildflower Turf Ltd to be professional, demonstrating excellent customer service, were forward thinking with a commitment to research and development, and providing a training facility for employees and partner companies.
Head of production Sam Monaghan said: “It is a privilege to work in our beautiful countryside, even when we have the challenges of winter.
“It is a privilege to go from a farm to a proper business and all the merits that brings to this team.”
Runner-up: Silchester Farm and Whitchurch Silk Mill
Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press
Winner: Jade Kelly of JM Cleaning Company
Her first client was a friend of her husband and through word of mouth and social media in just a month she went from one client to seven. Three years on and her business now has five members of staff, more than 140 clients, four office contracts and a qualification in biohazard cleaning.
The 27-year-old said: “I just want to say a massive thank you to my husband because I wouldn’t be able to do any of this. It wouldn’t be possible, thank you so much.”
Runners-up: Holly Findlay of Wisteria Boutique and Carlee Osundina of Afrizi
Sustainable Champion - sponsored by PLANT
Winner: Milk Club
Owner Tom Moore said: “This really means a lot to us. Sustainability was why we started the business.”
Tom said that he started the business because he wanted to bring local producers to local people.
Runners-up: Brevity Marketing and Afrizi
Large Business of the Year – sponsored by Shaw Gibbs
Winner: LG Motion
LG Motion demonstrated continued growth and ambition - in both itself and its staff. It is heavily invested in the local community and has a 'good place to work' feel. It has a global reach and is a leader in innovation within its industry and is a huge advocate for Basingstoke as place to operate from, recruit people from and do business all around the world with some very prestigious and high-profile customers.
On collecting the award managing director Gary Livingstone thanked his team, saying: “I am very pleased and very proud of the achievements we have done.”
Runners-up: Castle Trust Bank and Caviste
Winner of Winners – sponsored by Absolutely Offices
Winner: The Champion Group
Group accountant Kevin Croombs said: “I just want to say well done to everybody who is recognised here. There are amazing companies in Basingstoke doing amazing things.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here