Award sponsors and judges of this year’s Dorset Business Awards have chosen the finalists for the county’s most highly regarded business awards programme.
More than 30 judges have taken the time over the last month to analyse all award entries in detail and score them based on each specific award criteria, before compiling a list of 36 local businesses that stood out from the crowd.
Proving that business continues to strengthen throughout Dorset, the finalists are scattered across the county located in Evershot, Ringwood, Sturminster Newton, Bournemouth and Wareham to name a few.
The ‘Meet the Finalists’ drinks reception sponsored by PKF Francis Clark will be held on Monday November 6 at The Italian Villa in Poole, and will bring together finalists and award sponsors to celebrate business achievement in Dorset. The winners of each award will then be announced at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday November 23.
Organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, and backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105, the awards evening will begin with a drinks reception sponsored by Seventa Events. This is followed by an exquisite three-course dinner before the awards presentation begins. Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital will be the entertainment sponsor for the evening, and Brighter Productions has come on board for the third year running as production sponsor of the awards.
The 2017 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pure Networking
· Phil Whitehurst – Actisense, Poole
· Rosie Wallace – Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
· Warren Munson – Inspire Professional Services, Poole
Brand of the Year Award, sponsored by RT Brand Communications
· Muc-off, Poole
· Organix, Bournemouth
· The Pig on the Beach, Studland
Creative and Digital Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
· Cold Banana Studio, Bournemouth
· Fireworx, Bournemouth
· Strange, Bournemouth
UK Health Insurance Investing in Dorset Award
· A-One Insurance Group, Ringwood
· Signature Catering Group Limited, Ringwood
· Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot
Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award
· Actisense, Poole
· BHLive, Bournemouth
· Testlink, Poole
PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award
· Harts of Stur, Sturminster Newton
· Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
· Superior, Wimborne
Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships Award, sponsored by Sunseeker International
· Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester
· Cobham plc, Wimborne
· Redweb, Bournemouth
Outstanding Customer Service Award, sponsored by Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa and Luxurycare
· Anytech Solutions, Poole
· Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton, Bournemouth
· Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot
Retail and Leisure Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre
· Delfino Lounge, Poole
· Forum Jewellers, Broadstone
· The MacGuffin Project, Bournemouth
Team of the Year Award, sponsored by TeamJobs
· Greenwood Campbell, Bournemouth
· Inspire Professional Services , Poole
· Siemens, Poole
Young Chamber Award, sponsored by Blue Sky Financial Planning
· Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester
· Biotrack Ltd, Wareham
· LoveLove Films, Bournemouth
UK Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by REID Steel
· Actisense, Poole
· Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited (AGI), Poole
· Trimetals Limited, Blandford Forum
Stuart Dixon, head of marketing and communications and organiser of the awards from Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: ‘‘With a diverse range of high calibre companies with BH or DT postcodes entering, 2017 has been a great year so far for the Dorset Business Awards. The record number of entries which we’ve received highlights how significant and important the awards remain to be for the business community as a whole.
‘‘We always strive to build on what was achieved in previous years and aim each year for the awardsto be better than the last. The Dorset Business Awards provide a great opportunity to recognise business excellence, to inspire others and to gain public acknowledgement for the work achieved by firms and their employees. We thank everyone that has taken the time to enter the awards and look forward to celebrating Dorset’s business achievement at the Gala Dinner Awards ceremony in November,good luck to all concerned. ’’
Entertain your VIPs or reward your team by attending the year’s most prestigious business event. There is also the opportunity to network with more than 700 achievers and inspirational figures from Dorset. Tickets purchased for the black tie Awards Gala Dinner cost £85 + VAT (Chamber members), £95 + VAT (non-Chamber members), £800 + VAT for a table of 10 (Chamber members) or £900 + VAT (non-Chamber members). Companies interested in purchasing a ticket, table or finding out about any sponsorship opportunities for 2017, please contact theDorset Chamber of Commerce and Industryon 01202 714800.
