STOP PRESS

HERE ARE THE FINALISTS

he five Award Gold Sponsors who judged the entries, with Fred Dinenage, MBE.
The five Award Gold Sponsors who judged the entries, with Fred Dinenage, MBE.

We congratulate the 15 outstanding businesses that were selected as Finalists by the judges for a Test Valley Business Award. We wish them good luck and thank our 5 Gold Sponsors who judged the shortlisted entries. Alphabetically, by Award, the Finalists are:

Employer of the Year - Sponsor: Kier

  • Andover Transport - Andover
  • Lionel Hitchen Essential Oils - Andover
  • Swattons - Andover

Innovation and Technology - Sponsor: University of Southampton Science Park

  • Ilika Technologies - Chilworth
  • SEaB Energy - Chilworth
  • VuePoint Solutions - Andover

New Business of the Year - Sponsor: North Hampshire Enterprise

  • Minerva Health & Care Communications Ltd - Andover
  • Nicholas Howard Ltd - Andover
  • VuePoint Solutions Ltd - Andover

Small Business of the Year - Sponsor: Hampshire County Council

  • Chappell Builders Ltd - Andover
  • Minerva Health & Care Communications Ltd - Andover
  • Thyme & Tides - Stockbridge

Tourism Business of the Year - Sponsor: Test Valley Borough Council

  • Mottisfont - Mottisfont
  • The Three Tuns - Romsey
  • Thyme and Tides - Stockbridge.

These Finalists will be the centre of attraction in the Gala Awards ceremony and dinner on 22 May 2012, at The Lights, Andover. Fred Dinenage, MBE, the broadcasting legend will present their Awards. This will be an evening to remember where you'll also enjoy a fine dinner and meet around 200 other like-minded business people, hear Fred share hilarious experiences from his broadcasting career, meet the people who put fun back into the lives of young carers from Charities: the Andover Young Carers and Romsey Young Carers Project and win fantastic prizes donated by local businesses.

If you haven't reserved your place yet, visit the Gala Awards Dinner page to book now.

Zap! Pow! Fred shows them How, at launch of Test Valley Business Awards!

Fred Dinenage, MBE, news presenter of Meridian Tonight; 'HOW' TV show host, author and columnist Fred Dinenage, MBE, the much-loved broadcaster, launched the Test Valley Business Awards 11/12 with great style and warmth, showing us what winning means, in action.

Fred called five of last year's Award winning Test Valley companies to centre stage: Bioquell, i2O Water, Roke, Spectrum IT Recruitment and Thomas Winter Associates, who individually told everyone how their businesses had gained from winning their Award.

Fred believes that "the Test Valley Business Awards are especially important during these challenging times, because they remind us how great our Test Valley businesses are", which view was heartily endorsed by everyone there.

Your business could be in the Winner's spotlight next May, and gain masses of free publicity, but first you need to enter; click on How to Enter and fill in the simple online form. Entry is open to any business operating in Test Valley, until Tuesday 31 January 2012.

Along with free publicity, another compelling reason to enter is that there is a special incentive Prize Draw for entries received early - by 13 January 2012. We've partnered with ICM Business Video and one lucky business will win free video films for your website, tailored to your business, valued at £600-plus. Enter now; it's a win-win for your business!

These five Awards are open to any business operating in the Test Valley, or you can nominate a business you believe deserves to be recognised.

This year's Awards categories are:

  • Employer of the Year Award - Kier
  • Small Business of the Year Award - Hampshire County Council
  • Tourism Business of the Year Award - Test Valley Borough Council
  • Innovation & Technology Award - University of Southampton Science Park
  • New Business of the Year Award - North Hampshire Enterprise

We warmly welcome Kier as the new Gold Sponsor of the Employer of the Year Award. Find out more about the Award categories.

Winning an Award gets your business noticed and costs nothing except a few minutes of your time.

Here's what winners last year said:

"Bioquell was delighted to win the Test Valley Business Awards' International Business of the Year Award which recognises international business as an important driver of growth for our Life Sciences, Healthcare and Defence markets. With Bioquell's key growth coming from global markets, this win reinforces our world-wide strategy with our Hampshire employees and suppliers."     Martin Whiting, Bioquell

"i2O Water is delighted that its achievements have been recognised as joint winner of the Innovation & Technology Award at the Test Valley Business Awards 10/11. Our highly-skilled team has designed an intelligent pressure management system which is helping a significant number of leading water distribution."     Dr Mike Williams, i2OWater

"Although Roke is one of the largest employers in the Test Valley, and play an active role in the local community through charity and education outreach activities, many people in the area were not aware of Roke and what we do. The Test Valley Business Awards have helped us to raise our profile locally, while at the same time providing a useful benchmark against other local employment providers."     David McDonald, Roke

"Winning The Test Valley New Business of the Year Award was a fantastic achievement for Spectrum IT Recruitment. We would recommend the Test Valley Business Awards to any company looking to promote their success. The Award has raised awareness of our business's standing and integrity with clients, candidates, associates and industry peers and helped us develop relationships with many companies in the local area and beyond."     Ian Cruickshank, Spectrum IT Recruitement

"It was a thrill for Thomas Winter Associates to scoop the Small Business of the Year Award, overcoming strong competition. Winning the Award just 5 years from start-up has helped confirm TWA as an innovative marketing solutions and events company working to strengthen the business community, particularly through our Business Expos in Hampshire and Wiltshire."     Edward Thomas, TWA

"Clos du Marquis was overjoyed to win the Tourism Business of the Year Award, for our successful authentic French restaurant. The Award came at a perfect time, coinciding with the launch of our new venture; the French Gourmet Pantry Cookery School which has proved very popular as our delicious out of the ordinary Hampers are an ideal gift."     Germain Marquis, Clos du Marquis

Award winners with Fred Dinenage MBE
L-R: Ian Cruickshank, Spectrum IT Recruitment; Dr Mike Williams, i2O Water; Fred Dinenage MBE, Guest Speaker; David McDonald, Roke; Martin Whiting, Bioquell; Ed Thomas, Thomas Winter Associates.

It is with great pleasure the Test Valley Business Awards will support two children's charities in Test Valley this year; Andover Young Carers and the Romsey Young Carers Project. Both charities support children or young people under 18 who are carers for a family member with a long-term illness or disability.

Display Andover Young Carers website in a new window Display Romsey Young Carers PDF in a new window
Charity No. 1081651
Charity No. 1134093

Give your business a chance to win. Enter online today



TO-TOP