Thames Valley: The Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards results

The winners of this year’s Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards were announced at a glittering night of celebration – the 20th anniversary year of what is now the longest-running business awards scheme in the region.

As David Murray, founder of The Business Magazine, said at this spectacular and special evening: “We’ve come a long way since the very first awards, and over the two decades, hundreds of companies have attended our event – the cream of Thames Valley companies, the very finest, fittest and fastest growing businesses in this very vibrant region.”

Murray paid particular tribute to the category sponsors “who have all helped make it happen each year, and especially lawyers Pitmans who have supported the awards from the start.” He also highlighted long-term sponsors RBS and Deloitte while thanking the other 2014 sponsors Hays, Redwood Technologies, James Cowper, and Grundon.

The prestigious gala evening at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre in Reading was attended this year by 350 guests, among them 50 finalists for the nine major awards.

Plus, the evening had one surprise award – an acknowledging commendation from Murray, chairman of the judging panel of the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards (TVBMA), marking the 20-year event milestone and the ongoing “Thames Valley success story of a business providing jobs and opportunities in its sector during an impressive growth trajectory over the period.”

Murray noted that the period had contained troubled times for the UK economy, but added: “The recovery is well underway and the Thames Valley is once again a bubbling pot of enterprise, entrepreneurialism and corporate endeavour.

Businesses, whether large corporates or SMEs, have led the way and created a much more positive commercial environment.

“We just have to hope that the uncertainties of an upcoming General Election and possible vote on the European Union don’t upset the applecart.”

As is TVBMA tradition, one certain winner was well publicised and supported on the night – the Berkshire Community Foundation, selected as the event’s charity partner.

Guest speaker was television’s Nick Hewer of The Apprentice and Countdown who added his personal business insights and humour from his PR career and TV experiences to ease the 375 guests into a relaxed mood of eager anticipation.

Overseeing the award presentation ceremonies was Fiona Bruce, herself an award-winning broadcaster and journalist well known for hosting the BBC news and popular programmes such as Antiques Roadshow.

The winners in each category are listed below. A full list including runners up and commended companies can be found on the TVBMA website here and images from the event here.

 

Best Use of Technology Award - Sponsored by Redwood Technologies

Ridgeway - Winner

 

SME of the Year - Sponsored by James Cowper

FISCAL Technologies – Winner

 

Green Progress Award - Sponsored by Grundon

Cofely GDF Suez - Winner

 

Management Team of the Year (over £25m turnover) - Sponsored by RBS

Furniture Village - Winner

 

Management Team of the Year (under £25m turnover) - Sponsored by RBS

Premier Group Recruitment - Winner

 

Charity of the Year - Sponsored by James Cowper

Alexander Devine Children's Hospice – Winner

 

Best Company to Work For (professional services and larger companies) - Sponsored by Hays

BDO – Winner

 

Best Company to Work For (creative, agency and hi-tech companies) - Sponsored by Hays

Retail Marketing – Winner

 

Dynamic Business of the Year Awards - Sponsored By Deloitte

Accumuli Security – Winner

 

Thames Valley Business of the Year - Sponsored by Pitmans

Westcoast - Winner

 

Chairman’s Award - sponsored by The Business Magazine

Presented to: WSH (Westbury Street Holdings, trading through BaxterStorey, portico, caterlink, holroyd howe, BENUGO)

A full list including runners up and commended companies can be found on the TVBMA website here.