All-star line-up of winners at Hampshire Business Awards 2024

The second annual Hampshire Business Awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of businesses from across the county.

There was a lively atmosphere at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre with 370 guests enjoying dinner and applauding winners across 16 award categories.

Highlighting the breadth of entries and finalists, Richard Thompson, Chief Executive at Awards organiser The Business Magazine, said: “This year has been momentous with a huge response from many fantastic companies. The finalists range from the latest start-ups and successful companies scaling up through to well-established ‘veterans’ in their sector.”

The awards were supported by Hampshire County Council and headline sponsor Farnborough Airport, as well as category sponsors Gulfstream, Associated British Ports, Herrington Carmichael, Milestone Infrastructure, Menzies, Gracelands, Barratt Redrow PLC and Utilita.

Welcoming everyone to the event, Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said that as a businessman, he understood the challenges and rewards of running your own company. “It’s wonderful to see so many businesses here tonight. Hampshire is home to some brilliant world-leading companies and plays a pivotal role in driving the UK’s economy,” he said.

Supporting Partners were Farnborough International, Lainston House, Farnborough College of Technology, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, University of Winchester, the Aviator, Rootquotient and Solent University.

The all-important independent judges, who had the difficult task of deciding on the winners, were Natasha Dochniak from Hampshire Fare; Sarah Marshall from Farnborough International; Nigel Harper from Harpers for Growth; Teresa Hogsbjerg from Hampshire County Council and Joe Jeffers from Hambledon Vineyard.

During the evening, guests raised a significant sum for the event’s nominated charity, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Overseeing proceedings and entertaining the audience was media entrepreneur, writer and performer Cally Beaton.

And the winners are…

Growth Company of the Year

Winner: CV-Library

“Winning this award is an incredible achievement. We have really struggled as all businesses have in the current economic climate and to come out of the back of it with all the hard work and determination and growth figures we have achieved is absolutely phenomenal. In no small part, it is down to the leadership and guidance of our CEO and Founder Lee Biggins - without him, I don’t think the business would have been anywhere near as successful as it has been. The Awards event has been phenomenal with many incredible companies on the shortlist.” Barny Richley, CTO, Mark Greenhill, Head of Engineering, CV-Library

Finalists:

• Aura Technology

• CSG

• Herrington Carmichael

Equality, Inclusivity & Diversity Initiative Award – sponsored by Milestone Infrastructure

Winner: National Oceanography Centre

“It means so much to us to win, having all worked so hard on equality, diversity and inclusion over the last 12 months. We ran a particularly impactful trans awareness campaign throughout Pride month, with speakers, workshops and education campaigns that were really powerful. It has been a good evening and we have connected with a lot of great companies.” Lauren Noakes, Internal Communications Officer, Alberto Consensi, Robotic Systems Engineer, National Oceanography Centre

Finalists are:

• Castle Trust Bank

• Hovertravel

• Lipspeaker UK

• Liquid Friday

• STEM Returners

Made in Hampshire Award

Winner: John Pipe International

Finalists:

• New Milton Sand & Ballast

• Parmenter Forge

• Powder Monkey Brewing Co

• Safran Helicopter Engines UK

• Sugoi Campers

Technology Innovation Award      

Winner: Tomato Energy

“Winning this award means everything to us. Tomato Energy is a relatively new company to the market and having the innovative technology that sits behind us which is able to lower costs for customers recognised is fantastic. We’re super proud. The whole evening has been incredible, with lots of networking with so many brilliant people.” Zoe McLaren, Jodie MacAndrew, Community Engagement Managers, Tomato Energy

Finalists:

• AugmentAero

• Barnbrook Systems

• CSG

• Geekabit

• Innovative Physics

• TEKEVER

Contribution to the Community Award – sponsored by Associated British Ports

Winner: Herrington Carmichael

“This was fantastic recognition for the team involved in our community and charity work. One of the things we were recognised for is our free workspace hub, where we give office space and legal support to entrepreneurial and start-up businesses, so this award is for our commitment to give back to the business community. The hub encourages people running fledgling businesses who perhaps don’t want to spend money on leases or rents.” Yavan Brar, Managing Partner, Herrington Carmichael

Finalists:

• Lainston House

• Milestone Infrastructure

• Paris Smith

• Parker Bullen LLP

• Silverlake Automotive Recycling

• YMCA-Fairthorne Group

New Business of the Year

Winner: VapeGuardian

“Winning this award means a lot because we are trying to create awareness of the dangers of underage vaping and to eradicate it from schools and society in general. We want to reach as many schools as possible to protect young people and also to branch out into other spaces, such as the leisure sector.” Simon and Jean Hassett, Co-founders, VapeGuardian

Finalists:

• AugmentAero

• Herd Alpaca Apparel

• In Tune Business Solutions

• Kerr & Watson

Sustainable Green Investment Award – sponsored by Barratt Redrow

Winner: New Milton Sand & Ballast

“We are immensely proud to win this award as it was unexpected. It means so much because as a construction materials provider with lots of quarries and lorries, sustainability doesn’t naturally link with us. But we do a lot, from solar power and using less water to recycling and emissions reductions.” Matt Lock, Commercial Director, Suzanne Wright, Marketing Director, Paul Drayton, Production Director, New Milton Sand & Ballast

Finalists:

• Agilico

• Betapak

• Lainstone House Hotel

• Lemon and Jinja

• Tops Day Nurseries

Not-for-Profit of the Year –sponsored by Gracelands

Winner: Munch CIC

“This award is recognition for what we do and the people who are involved in our project, including those who benefit from it. We focus on sustainable nutrition and are in a really difficult time for many people financially. There’s also a big gap in food education in this country and we aim to break down barriers about accessing good food and being able to cook and eat healthy food.” Denzil and Mary Carlton, Directors, Munch CIC

Finalists:

• Ark Cancer Charity

• Marwell Wildlife

• Rowans Hospice

• YMCA-Fairthorne Group

Commitment to Education Training & Skills Award – sponsored by Gulfstream

Winner: Parmenter Forge

“It’s incredible and a privilege to have won in this category. I’m very passionate about my craft and about training the next generation of blacksmiths. It’s an absolute honour that my delivery of education in my craft has been recognised.” Ian Parmenter, Master Blacksmith, Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Founder of Parmenter Forge

Finalists:

• Castle Trust Bank

• HISP Teaching School Hub

• Lainston House

• Paragon Skills

• South Hampshire College Group

Taste of Hampshire Award

Winner: Isle of Wight Tomatoes

“We are incredibly proud of our business and of our journey. What makes our business a success is that we get more daylight hours than anywhere else in the UK and more light means more flavour in our tomatoes, Plus, we select the best varieties. Our product goes to independent retailers across the UK and there’s an appetite for great British produce further afield, particularly the Middle East.” Samantha Blake, Retail Specialist, Daniella Voisey, New Business Development Manager, Isle of Wight Tomatoes

Finalists:

• 108 The Bakery

• Candover Valley Wines

• ChalkStream Foods

• New Forest Shortbread

• Powder Monkey Brewing Co

• Summerdown

• The Homemade Brownie Company

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Farnborough Airport

Winner: Will Harrigan – River Coffee Roasters

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for our team, who are incredible. We also have great partners throughout Hampshire and the UK and work with some amazing producers around the world. I worked part-time at a coffee shop in Stockbridge and was encouraged to follow a career in the coffee industry. I spent nine months working for a coffee producer in Colombia, where I wrote my business plan for River Coffee Roasters. It’s been a whirlwind journey setting up the business.” Will Harrigan, Director, River Coffee Roasters

Finalists:

• Jesse Dugdale – Lemon and Jinja

• Elaine Harding – AugmentAero

• Dmitrijs Meiksans – The Local Marketing Company

• Akin Odeyale – Blatchford

• Tom Simpson – 820 Spirits

• Vanessa Walters – Blatchford

• Lewis Watson - LWRepairs

Hospitality Business of the Year

Winner: The Parlour Tearoom

“This award gives the business a huge boost for the next chapter that we’ve got coming up. Next year, we are opening our second premises which is really exciting for us. The fact that everything is homemade every single day and fresh from our kitchen is what sets us apart.” Lucy Fisher, Business Owner, The Parlour Tearoom

Finalists:

• Lainston House Hotel

• Lavender Fields Hampshire

• Oakley Hall Hotel

• The Northbrook Arms

• The South Downs Social

Tech Company of the Year – sponsored by Utilita

Winner: TEKEVER

Finalists:

• AugmentAero

• Barnbrook Systems

• Beyond Encryption

• CV-Library

• Innovative Physics

• Lumico Digital

• Tailor Made Technologies

Best Place to Work Award

Winner: Paris Smith

“A lot of hard work goes into making sure we are a place where people can be themselves, be authentic and show vulnerability, particularly in a time when mental stress and mental resilience are so important. Encouraging open communication in the firm is a challenge but one way we have achieved it is at the outset of our journey about mental wellbeing our senior leadership team was prepared to show their own vulnerability. If they can do that it encourages others to come forward and recognise it’s okay not to be okay.” Peter Taylor, Senior Partner, Paris Smith

Finalists:

• Aerial Direct

• Blatchford

• Lewis Brownlee Chartered Accountants

• Motiv8 South

• Shorefield Holidays

• Trusted Technology Partnership

• Visual Assets

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Herrington Carmichael

Winner: Rob Collard – Collard Group

“To win this award is a great achievement for the business, taking it from a one-man band 30 years ago to where it is today. For me, having a loyal team is the ultimate thing to have in business. I’ve got guys who have been with us for 20-25 years and have stuck with me as the company has grown. I’ve been fortunate to find good people who share our values of family, commitment and giving a good service. Technology in recycling and waste management is a massive investment area and we commit to ‘zero to landfill’ as much as we can.” Rob Collard, Owner of Collard Group

Finalists:

• Ryan King – The Warp

• Jamie Noble – AIG

• Ian Parmenter – Parmenter Forge

• Emily Pilbeam – In Tune Business Solutions

• Lewis Watson - LWRepairs

Hampshire Business of the Year – sponsored by Menzies LLP

Hampshire Business of the Year (under 20 employees)

Winner: BB Merchant Services

“We’ve been a Hampshire-based business for 13 years and are really proud to have won. We’ve been helped because Hampshire is full of well-networked people. We go to networking events, post on social media and get our name out there to grow the business. The awards were a great evening in a great venue.” Ed Fillbrook, Junior Partner, Christian Blount-Powell, Junior Partner, BB Merchant Services

Finalists:

• Kerr & Watson

• Lavender Fields Hampshire

• Lipspeaker UK

• New Forest Escapes

• The Parlour Teamroom

Hampshire Business of the Year (over 20 employees)

Winner: LeMieux

“This award means a lot to us. We’re very much a Hampshire business, based in the New Forest. All of our team are Hampshire people, so we’re very proud to receive this recognition and it’s great for our sector to be recognised in the county. We are a founder-owned business, they are both riders who have competed at the Olympics and care a lot about horses, horse riding and how to make the experience better for people. That ethos runs through the company and gives us a clear mission to follow.” Dan Mahoney, Managing Director, Simon Taton, Finance Director, LeMieux

Finalists:

• Aerial Direct

• Barnbrooks Systems

• Collard Group

• Lewis Brownlee Chartered Accountants

• Paris Smith

• Trusted Technology Partnership