Roll of honour: The Times Business Awards 2022 Winners

The team from Corker Outdoor, Award sponsor Jason Varney (Thomson, Snell & Passmore) & Eamonn Holmes

Jess Gibson (The TN Card), Award sponsor Alexander Pushkin (Pushkin Antiques) & Eamonn Holmes

 

Jess Gibson (The TN Card), Award sponsor Alexander Pushkin (Pushkin Antiques) & Eamonn Holmes

START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business:TN Card

About: Set up in February 2020, the TN Card enables people to secure rewards and offers whilst purchasing locally and supporting the High Street.

Award sponsor: Pushkin Antiques

“I can’t believe we won this! There were so many deserving recipients in this category. The TN Card supports our local businesses, but all three of the other finalists opened during the pandemic” Jess Gibson

 

 

Lorenzo Colangelo (The Gallery Hairdressing), Award sponsor Wendy Read (HR Revolution) & Eamonn Holmes
Lorenzo Colangelo (The Gallery Hairdressing), Award sponsor Wendy Read (HR Revolution) & Eamonn Holmes

 

CREATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business: The Gallery Hairdressing

About: Originally set up in 1980 under the name Barnet Fair, this established family hairdressers was renamed The Gallery in 1995.

Award sponsor: HR Revolution

“It’s fantastic. It’s great to win something, and lovely to win something local” Lorenzo Colangelo

 

 

Andrew Mann (Clarity Homes & Commercial), Award sponsor Louise Shaw (Brewin Dolphin) & Eamonn Holmes
Andrew Mann (Clarity Homes & Commercial), Award sponsor Louise Shaw (Brewin Dolphin) & Eamonn Holmes

 

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business: Clarity Homes and Commercial

About: Rather than sit back, Andrew used the time in lockdowns to work on the business rather than in it, rebranding the company to Clarity Homes and Commercial in order to fit in with his mission to bring clarity to construction, raising the standards of the industry and changing the experience and expectations.

Award sponsor: Brewin Dolphin

“Oh, my God, it’s amazing. I’m not even sure yet where I’m going to put the award, (but it’s amazing)” Andrew Mann

 

 

Andrew Mann (Clarity Homes & Commercial), Award sponsor Louise Shaw (Brewin Dolphin) & Eamonn Holmes
Kate Luke (Jaques of London), Award sponsor Denise Hamilton (Childrensalon) & Eamonn Holmes

 

FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business: Jaques of London

About: Founded in 1795, Jaques of London are 8th generation toys and games makers – the oldest in the world. Famed for creating family titles, such as Snakes & Ladders, Ping Pong and Ludo, they are underpinned by the century’s old motto of ‘Teaching the World to Play’.

Award sponsor: Childrensalon

“I feel ecstatic. The Jaques family is quite a modest one and it’s really a privilege to be propelling them into the limelight and telling everyone what they’ve been doing for 227 years” Kate Luke

 

 

Oliver Corkery (Corker Outdoor), Award sponsor Chris Lawson (Lawson Commercial) & Eamonn Holmes
Oliver Corkery (Corker Outdoor), Award sponsor Chris Lawson (Lawson Commercial) & Eamonn Holmes

 

YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Name of winning individual: Oliver Corkery (Corker Outdoor)

About: Oliver joined the family business six years ago, with his focus firmly on evolving the the company into something exciting and new that would stand out in the industry. With renewed vision, he set about building the ideal team to get the job done. Oliver introduced modern marketing strategies, enabling the business to grow 300% during this time.

Award sponsor: Lawson Commercial

“It’s brilliant, so brilliant. We came to the awards in 2019, and it’s nice to come back again and win something” Oliver Corkery

 

 

 

Mase & Aimee Leuluniu (IPT Fitness), Award sponsor Jon Cornell (Handelsbanken) & Eamonn Holmes
Mase & Aimee Leuluniu (IPT Fitness), Award sponsor Jon Cornell (Handelsbanken) & Eamonn Holmes

RESILIENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business: IPT Fitness

About: In March 2020 due to the pandemic all businesses in this sector had to close their doors, instead of sitting back and waiting the business adapted to an online model ensuring not only connected with existing clients but also attracted business. Lessons learnt from the pandemic have enabled to the business to diversify and futureproof.

Award sponsor: Handelsbanken

“We were definitely not expecting to win – we’re so small. But we’re so happy with the award – thank you!” Aimee and Mase Leuluniu

 

 

James Fitzgerald (Balfour Winery), Award sponsor Charlie Harding (SitSmart) & Eamonn Holmes
James Fitzgerald (Balfour Winery), Award sponsor Charlie Harding (SitSmart) & Eamonn Holmes

 

BEST IN FOOD & DRINK

Name of winning business: Balfour Winery

About: Balfour are a 400-acre family-owned estate in the Garden of England, with vast ancient woodlands, vineyards, apple orchards and wildflower meadows. The estate combines conservation with an unrivalled spirit of hospitality and generosity.

Award sponsor: SitSmart

“It’s been a lot of work. The wine speaks for itself, but the food to go along with is something we’ve really put a lot of work into” James Fitzgerald

 

 

Neil Simmons & the TN Recruits team, Award sponsor Katie Presland (Charles Stanley) & Eamonn HolmesCaption
Neil Simmons & the TN Recruits team, Award sponsor Katie Presland (Charles Stanley) & Eamonn HolmesCaption

 

BEST BUSINESS 1-25 EMPLOYEES

Name of winning business: TN Recruits

About: TN RECRUITS based in Tunbridge Wells offer permanent and Temporary Recruitment in Law, Accountancy, Automotive and general office-based roles.

Award sponsor: Charles Stanley

“I’m elated. The award will have pride of place in our office. I’d like to get a picture with all of us as well – not just those here tonight – because it’s down to every single member of my team. We never lose sight of the fact that that we are here to help businesses to grow, or to help people with their careers. We never take profit over purpose” Neil Simmons

 

 

Thomas Mansfield: Neill Thomas & Emma Howlett, Award sponsor Gillian Palmer (The Finance Hub) & Eamonn Holmes

Thomas Mansfield: Neill Thomas & Emma Howlett, Award sponsor Gillian Palmer (The Finance Hub) & Eamonn Holmes

 

BEST BUSINESS 26+ EMPLOYEES

Name of winning business: Thomas Mansfield

About: THOMAS MANSFIELD was Established in 2004 by Tunbridge Wells residents, Neill Thomas, and Jonathan Mansfield, Thomas Mansfield Solicitors is a specialist law firm practicing employment, dispute resolution, family and private client law in London and the Southeast.

Award sponsor: The Finance Hub

“It’s amazing. We’re very pleased. I’m actually shocked. We were pretty sure we weren’t going to win it, as we won an award in 2019” Neill Thomas

 

 

The team from Corker Outdoor, Award sponsor Jason Varney (Thomson, Snell & Passmore) & Eamonn Holmes
The team from Corker Outdoor, Award sponsor Jason Varney (Thomson, Snell & Passmore) & Eamonn Holmes

 

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Name of winning business: Corker Outdoor

About: CORKER OUTDOOR lies somewhere between a specialist builders’ merchant, catering for landscapers and garden designers, and a garden centre. Five years ago, they rebranded from Small Loads Ltd., creating their own lane, moving away from the local and more regular builders’ yards to something more inspirational and lifestyle orientated.

Award sponsor: Thomson Snell & Passmore

“It’s fantastic.We all worked hard, and it’s brilliant just to have this recognition – just the pat on the back for that” Mick Corkery

 

See more at: timeslocalnews.co.uk/business/celebrating-the-best-in-business/

Awards Website: timesbusinessawards.co.uk

 

Photography: David Bartholomew © Times of Tunbridge Wells

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