West Oxon Business Awards reveals 10th Anniversary Finalists

Published by

Nicky Godding

WOBA 2020 Celebration of Business Picture: Ric Mellis 6/2/20

More than 200 people from local businesses gathered at Cokethorpe School, Witney, last night (Thursday) at the Celebration of Business event where the finalists of this year’s West Oxfordshire Business Awards (WOBA) were revealed.

WOBA 2020 finalists include:

STL Communications – a finalist in three categories recognising the company’s role as a fantastic West Oxfordshire employer along with its huge commitment to charity via Twin Town Challenge, spearheaded by managing director, Brendon Cross. The company has also been shortlisted for the special Winner of Winners Award to mark WOBA’s 10^th anniversary
Oxford Welding Supplies – a finalist in two categories, this family run micro business has seen a father and two sons successfully deploy an online marketing strategy to outsell competitors across the UK and Europe
Neve’s Bees – a finalist in two categories and founded by a mother and her daughter (Neve) who are Oxfordshire beekeepers. The company makes 100% natural skincare products with a little help from their bees

Julie Macken, Deputy Queen Bee of Neve’s Bees, said: “We’re so excited to be a WOBA finalist and that so many people love our products. We donate 5p from every sale to BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) to help save our beautiful wildlife and countryside.”

Jon Langford, Managing Director, Oxford Welding Supplies was joined by his son Nathan at the event with his other son watching via video call. The news of being named a WOBA finalist in two categories was met with rapturous applause. Jon said:

“It is absolutely fantastic and amazing to be a finalist in the micro and retail categories. It is great that a small business like ours is recognised for the service we provide to our customers and for our hard work.”

The future of West Oxfordshire looks bright according to Damian Ettinger, Headmaster, Cokethorpe School, sponsor of the new Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He said:

“I have been hugely impressed by the drive, articulation and passion demonstrated by all entrants in this category. West Oxfordshire’s young entrepreneurs represent quality businesses in our county and indeed our country.”

Jo Sensecall, WOBA team member, added: “The judges have faced an enormous challenge this year, a testament to the breadth and quality of businesses and hard working people that represent West Oxfordshire. With the high calibre of finalists, our 10^th anniversary celebration is poised to become the best yet.”

WOBA 2020 winners will be announced at WOBA’s 10^th Anniversary Gala Dinner, 27 March, Heythrop Park Resort, where a collection will be held for Guideposts Trust, winner of Charity of the Year Award 2019. Among other projects based in Oxfordshire, Guideposts run Witney’s ‘Dig N Grow’ service to provide new skills to adults with learning difficulties.

The WOBA 2020 finalists are:

Fleet and Commercial Retail Award Finalists
Oxford Welding Supplies
Hot Tea Mama
Oxford Vapours
Meech Business & Community Award Finalists
iRepairTech
STL Communications
Chipping Norton Theatre
Owen Mumford Innovation Award Finalists
9-2-3 Jobs
Moshon Data
VoCoVo
The MGroup Employer of the Year Award Finalists
STL Communications
The Rooflight Company
Little Dots Daycare
Blenheim Palace New Business Award Finalists
Grapes & Tomatoes
Neve’s Bees
The Burford Recruitment Company
Witney Business & Innovation Centre Micro Business Award Finalists
The Burford Recruitment Company
Neve’s Bees
Oxford Welding Supplies
Convolo Personnel Small SME Award Finalists
Adept Graphics
Cotswold Fudge Company
Matthews Comfort Financial Planning
Sandler Training Large SME Award Finalists
Little Dots Daycare
STL Communications
Solid Structures
Cokethorpe Young Entrepreneur Award Finalists
Ed O’Brien – Hunters Cake Café
Elle Haise – Aspire Products
Kathryn Wyn-Davies – Elinor Sophia
CQR Business Person of the Year Award Finalists
Lee Swinton (GSR Technology)
Tom Welch (Turn IT On)
James Woollard (Polythene UK)
Wise Investment Winner of Winners Award Finalists
CQR
Huffkins
Inclusive Care & Education
SpecialEffect
STL Communications
VoCoVo

All finalists are considered for the Cally Robson Award to recognise an outstanding business with great potential and all category winners, except Business Person of the Year Award and Young Entrepreneur Award, are considered for the Aston & James West Oxfordshire Business of the Year Award.

Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe. After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts. She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.