Firms in line for Kent's top business award
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by business editor Trevor
Sturgess
Three businesses each stand a
chance of notching up a hat-trick of winners’ trophies in a
prestigious new award contest.
Denne Construction, Mhs Homes and
Holiday Extras have been shortlisted for three top accolades,
crafted by Kent glass artist Annie Ross, in the inaugural Kent
Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA).
The awards, run by Kent County
Council and the KM Group, are backed by a host of big names. The
winners will be announced at a glittering presentaton ceremony at
Leeds Castle on July 2.
Denne, of Sittingbourne,
is in the running for Business Commitment of the Year Award,
Employer of the Year and Large Business of the Year.
Mhs Homes, Chatham-based social
housing provider and property management company, is up for
Business Commitment to the Community, Customer Service and
Commitment, and Employer of the Year, while
Holiday Extras, based in Newinngreen, Hythe, is shortlisted for
Customer Service and Commitment, Employer of the Year and Large
Business of the Year.
But the awards are not just about
big battalions. Smaller companies up for a business "Oscar" include
Courtyard Studios, Hollingbourne (Best Business from the Creative
Industries), Shumi Hair and Beauty, Chatham (SME Business of the
Year), and Shake Shed, Canterbury (Start-up Business of the
Year).
Entrepreneurial talent is also
recognised, with Gerard Coleman, founder of Ashford-based Artisan
du Chocolat up against Steve Martin, of Xmo Strata, Marden, and Guy
Whitehead, of Armourcoat, Sevenoaks, for the coveted title of
Entrepreneur of the Year.
Young entrepreneurs in line for an
award are Kate Austen, of Podplus, Ashford, Owen Hunman, Vine
Media, Sevenoaks, and Bradley McLoughlin of Trading4u, Strood.
Finalists: Best Business from the
Creative Industries - Courtyard Studios, Meltdowns, The Wonderful
Creative Agency; Best Leisure and Tourism Business - Chatham
Historic Dockyard Trust, English Wines Group, Leeds Castle; Best
Social Care Business - Beech Tree Total Care, Halliwell (Elizabeth
Finn Homes), Home Service Complete Care; Business Commitment to the
Community - Cripps Harries Hall, Denne Construction, Mhs Homes;
Customer Service and Commitment Award - Holiday Extras, Mhs Homes,
Royal British Legion Industries; Employer of the Year - Denne
Construction, Holiday Extras, Mhs Homes; Entrepreneur of the Year -
Gerard Coleman, Steve Martin, Guy Whitehead; Large Business of the
Year - Bactec International, Denne Construction, Holiday Extras;
SME Business of the Year - English Wines Group, Shumi Hair and
Beauty Group, The Woodley Coles LLP; Start-up Business of the Year
- Optimum Fitness Software, Red Alert Telecare, Shake Shed; Young
Entrepreneur of the Year - Kate Austen, Owen Hunman, Bradley
McLoughlin.
Sponsors: Kent County Council,
Deloitte, Heart, Institute of Directors, Kent Film Office, Headley
Brothers, The Kent Foundation, Mainstream, GSE Group, Royal Mail,
Southeastern, VisitKent, Vertex Law and the KM Group. Supporters:
Business Link, Canterbury College, Chartered Institute of
Marketing, Federation of Small Businesses, Leeds Castle, Locate in
Kent, Pillory Barn Creative and Tangerine.
Tuesday, May 19 2009
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