Award sponsors and judges of this year’s Dorset Business Awards have chosen the finalists for the county’s most highly regarded business awards programme.
Over 100 entries were submitted by regional companies into this year’s Dorset Business Awards and more than 30 judges have been involved in the decision-making process.
Over the last month, judges have analysed all award entries in detail and have scored them based on specific criteria for each award, before compiling a list of 36 local businesses that stood out from the crowd.
Finalists, across 12 categories, are based in a variety of locations around the county, showing that businesses throughout Dorset continue to thrive.
The ‘Meet the Finalists’ drinks reception will be held on Monday November 11 at the Hallmark Hotel Carlton in Bournemouth and will bring together finalists and award sponsors to celebrate businesses achievement in Dorset. The winners of each award will then be announced at the gala dinner ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 28th.
The 2019 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership
● Jamie Sergeant of ThisIsCrowd Ltd
● Marianne Storey of Dorset Mind
● Martin Edwards of Julia’s House
Dorset Environmental Award, sponsored by Dorset Wildlife Trust and Kingston Mauward College
● Black Pig Retreats
● English Oak Vineyard
● The Green House Hotel
Excellence in Exporting Award, sponsored by HSBC and PSP Worldwide Logistics
• Aviation & Defence Spares Ltd
• Modulift
• Sontronics
TeamJobs Team of the Year
● Ceuta Group
● Friars Moor Vets
● Mazars
Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Superior Seals Ltd
• Emily Birkett of Outpost VFX
• Natasha Hockey of Cobham plc
• Ollie Dukes of Caterpillar Marine Power UK Limited
Creative Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Digital Storm
● Aylesworth Fleming
● Fireworx
● Global Brand Communications
Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Ouch Training Team
• Greendale Construction Limited
• Health-on-Line
• Investec Wealth & Investment
Lester Aldridge Company of the Year
• ThisIsCrowd Ltd
• Mploy Staffing Solutions
• Precision Acoustics Ltd
PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award
● Hoburne Group
● Marsham Court Hotel
● West Dorset Leisure Holidays
Enhanced Business Growth Award
• Avec UK
• Hoburne Group
• Venture Engineering Group
BV Dairy Investing in Dorset Award
● Black Pig Retreats
● Burnbake Forest Lodges & Campsite
● Dorset Cruises
Excellence in Engineering & Manufacturing Award, sponsored by REID Steel and Atlas Elektronik
● Actisense
● Field International LTD
● Precision Acoustics
Stuart Dixon, head of marketing and communications at Dorset Chamber, said: ‘‘From all of us at Dorset Chamber, we want to congratulate those who entered and have reached the penultimate stage of this year’s awards. The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, so reaching this stage is a real achievement for all finalists.
“It’s fantastic to see a wide range of industry sectors based from all corners of the county represented in this year’s Dorset Business Awards. Each year we are astounded with the quality of work that is produced in our county and we are proud to represent the vast number of businesses who deliver it.”
Tickets for the black-tie Awards gala dinner cost £90 + VAT (Chamber members), £100 + VAT (non-Chamber members), £850 + VAT for a table of 10 (Chamber members) or £950 + VAT (non-Chamber members). Companies interested in purchasing a ticket or table for the 2019 Dorset Business Awards, please visit https://www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk/gala-dinner/ or contact the Dorset Chamber on 01202 714800. All finalists are based in Dorset or have a BH or DT postcode.