Local firms have been celebrating after winning at the inaugural RTW Business Awards at a special gala ceremony.
The awards were hosted and organised by One Media & Creative UK Ltd, the media management company which is part of Markerstudy Leisure. The awards were supported by the main sponsors Cripps and RSM, with each of the 10 categories sponsored by a local business.
The awards were presented at a gala ceremony at Salomons Estate attended by more than 200 guests and senior representatives from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Guest speaker at the evening was Edwina Currie, broadcaster, writer, former MP and minister.
Rt Hon Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, said: “Tunbridge Wells has always been a great place to do business. From well-established global brands to pioneering start-ups, we have some fantastic companies located in our town and it’s great to recognise this through the RTW Business Awards. Looking through the shortlisted finalists, I would imagine that the judging panel had an extremely difficult job picking the overall winners.
“I congratulate the organisers for establishing these new awards and the two main sponsors, Cripps and RSM, for supporting them.”
Head of Judges, Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: “Tunbridge Wells is synonymous with quality and it great to see so many
excellent companies celebrated by these awards. It bodes well for the economic future of the borough.”
Thirty companies were shortlisted and made it to the finals and the winners were:
New Business of the Year: Monita Cheung Design
Sponsored by Ansacom
Green Company of the Year: Mastercolour
Sponsored by Global Office
Creative Business of the Year: Larrytech Ltd
Sponsored by Fox Marketing Services
Corporate Social Responsibility Award: AXA PPP
Sponsored by MW Solicitors
Business Hero of the Year: Paul Chapman, Signal UK Ltd
Sponsored by Easistore
Family Business of the Year: Fullers’ Butchers & Farm Shop
Sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore
Entrepreneur of the Year: Deborah Richards, Maddisons Residential Ltd
Sponsored by Infinity Group
Young Business Person of the Year: Jenny Kitchen, YoYo Design
Sponsored by Russell Fewins Facilities Solutions
Service Excellence Award: First Office Systems Limited
Sponsored by RentLocally
Outstanding Business of the Year: Childrensalon Ltd
Sponsored by Parfitt Cresswell Solicitors
Each of the 10 categories had three shortlisted finalists, except for the Times of Tunbridge Wells Readers’ Choice Award sponsored by MJ Exhibitions, which was won by Jez Timms of Torpedo Juice.
Following the success of the awards ceremony, Nick Moore, Group Commercial Director of Markerstudy Leisure, said: “It was great to celebrate the hard work of many local businesses and we look forward to launching the 2017 awards later this year.”
