Solent 250 awards finalists revealed

A strong line-up of finalists has been announced for the 2023 Solent 250 awards. 

The Solent 250 is an annual listing of the top privately-owned businesses (by sales turnover) headquartered in the Solent region – defined as most of Hampshire (south of Basingstoke) and parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex. 

The listing is compiled by The Business Magazine and sponsored by HSBC UK, Irwin Mitchell, RSM UK, University of Southampton Business School, Vail Williams and CMA Recruitment Group. 

VIEW all 250 companies listed in the Solent 250 listing >> 

Solent 250 judges will reveal the winners in six categories during a private dinner and awards ceremony at the Harbour Hotel & Spa in Southampton on May 10^th, 2023, to celebrate the special achievements of those companies listed. 

Managing director of The Business Magazine, Richard Thompson, said: "Once again companies in the Solent have shown exceptional growth, leadership and vision and we’re very excited to announce the winners on the 10th of May. We look forward to welcoming all guests to this evening of celebration.” 

The finalists are:

International Business of the Year – sponsored by HSBC UK 

• Captec
• Lionel Hitchen
• Neals Yard Remedies
• Redwood Global
• STR Group

Entrepreneurial Business of the Year – sponsored by RSM 

• Airsys
• Fence Stores
• GRP Solutions
• PVC Building Supplies
• The West Group

CEO of the Year – sponsored by University of Southampton Business School 

• Bill Bullen – Utilita
• Brian Cooney – Canford Healthcare
• Martin Flick - Onecom
• Mark Langford – Breeze Motor Company
• Spencer McCarthy – Churchill Retirement Living
• Gary Orr – Abri

Business Culture Award – sponsored by Vail Williams 

• Apollo Motor Group
• FatFace
• Harvest Fine Foods
• Lush Cosmetics

Growth Story of the Year – sponsored by CMA Recruitment Group 

• Beyond Retail
• MSP Capital
• Partnering Health
• Portsmouth Aviation
• Supreme Freight

Leadership Team of the Year – sponsored by Irwin Mitchell 

• To be announced