Click here for a report event and pictures of the winners.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Business Award winners were announced at a ceremony at Ascot racecourse on Thursday 6th March 2008. The Awards, managed by SEEDA, attracted more than 300 entrants. The evening was hosted by BBC News Presenter Mishal Husain and Digby, Lord Jones, Minister for Trade & Investment, gave the keynote speech.
The winning companies were:
Business Growth Award, sponsored by Business Link, went to Solsis, from Bracknell in Berkshire. The Award was presented on the night by Director of Business Support at Business Link in Sussex, David Rowland.
Innovation & Creativity Award, sponsored by QinetiQ and Shoosmiths Solicitors, went to RF Engines Ltd, from the Isle of Wight.
International Award, sponsored by UK Trade & Investment, went to Beardow Adams, from Milton Keynes. The Award was presented by Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade & Investment.
Manufacturing Award, sponsored by Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) South, went to Crompton Technology Group from Banbury, Oxfordshire. The Award was presented by from the EEF South Immediate Past President and SEEDA Board Member, John Peel OBE.
Dame Anita Roddick - Young Entrepreneur Award – for under 30s went to Ticket to Ride, from Haslemere in Surrey. The Award was presented by SEEDA Chairman, Jim Brathwaite CBE.
Sustainable Business – Workplace & Community, sponsored by EDF Energy, went to the Royal British Legion Industries from Aylesford in Kent. The Award was presented by EDF Energy’s Head of Specialist Product Development, Denise Wareham.
Sustainable Business – Environment, sponsored by the Environment Agency went to Vitacress Salads from Andover, Hampshire. The Award was presented by Environment Agency Board Member, Dr Lyndon Stanton.
Excellence in Skills and Development, sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), went to Prime Care Community Services Ltd from Seaford, East Sussex. The Award was presented by LSC South East Regional Skills Director, Peter Marsh.
In his role as Minister for Trade and Investment, Digby praised businesses in the region for making his role of promoting the UK as a place to do business that much easier. He said: “If there’s one region which really does lead the wealth creation of this nation, and without whom there just would not be the prosperity that makes this the most successful economy in Europe, it’s you… if there’s one region that pulls that off every month, month in, month out, it’s you… Your economy is worth £177 billion pounds, you’re the largest net contributor to the UK exchequer and you grow, as an economy, at about 3.5 percent a year. You’re all winners in my eyes.”
