The winners have been annnounced for the 2009 Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce annual awards.
Hundreds of city business people attended a lavish ceremony held at thestadium mk last night (Thursday)
Master of ceremonies Declan Curry kept the proceedings under control as ever and there was a well received and interesting talk from Britain's first female fighter pilot Jo Salter.
The winners of each category are listed below. For pictures and more reaction from the awards read MK NEWS next Wednesday.
THE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD OVERALL WINNER - sponsor John Lewis plc
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Awarded to the most outstanding award finalist from what has been a truly impressive assortment of businesses.
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD - Sponsor: D & P Consultants
DEAN DUNHAM – THE DUNHAM GROUP
The Dunham Group is a diverse group of companies created by serial Entrepreneur Dean Dunham. The group currently consists of a law firm (Dunham Solicitors LLP) a restaurant/bar jointly owned with celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (Dunham Novelli), children’s day nurseries (Q Day Nurseries Ltd) and the UK’s first online property auction (Lot37 Ltd).
Judges comments: Dean has both the flare and demonstrated business acumen combined with enthusiasm and a determination to succeed.
Business of Year above £5m – Sponsor: Business Leaders
BEARDOW & ADAMS (ADHESIVES) LTD
Beardow Adams was established in Milton Keynes in 1977. The only United Kingdom
company specialising in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of industrial hot
melt adhesives. Sold worldwide, its award winning hot melts are an important part of thousands
of everyday products from packaging and labelling of food, pharmaceutical
and health care products – as well as in the automotive, print finishing, electronic, white goods,
filter, converting and construction industries.
Judges comments: This company strongly demonstrates the importance of not only growing its people, but also the importance of its distributors involving them in the business providing training and support to both. It continuously seeks new opportunities to expand the business but its determination to focus on its specialist field of hot melt adhesives, developing new technology to deliver this, make this a top class company.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR £1m – £5m – Sponsor: Barclays
KINETIC SOLUTIONS
Kinetic Solutions provides software to Universities that manages large parts of their facility, in the UK,
US and Canada. A key part of our service is to work with our customers to ensure complex and time critical processes are managed effectively, within budget and online. Our software also manages conference and catering operations controlling everything from enquiry management to billing and marketing.
Judges comments: An impressive company with clear positioning and capability strategy. Excellent website with clear customer testimonials.
BUSINESS OF YEAR LESS THAN £1M – Sponsor: Business Link
ABBOT FIRE GROUP
Abbot Fire Group specialise in fire safety products and services, including fire extinguisher, fire
alarm, and kitchen suppression system, supplying, installation and servicing; dry riser testing and
servicing; fire safety training, and fire risk assessments. Solutions that assist businesses with fire prevention, planning, legal compliance, items and technicians are BAFE registered. Based in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire, Abbot Fire Group provides a service nationwide
Judges comments: Abbot has shown how retaining a focus on their core business and on execution has achieved 20% year on year growth in a difficult trading position. Their clear vision and commitment to customers is a clear differentiation whilst finding new routes to market.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE – CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE – Sponsor: WTC Holdings
BEARDOW & ADAMS (ADHESIVES) LTD
Beardow Adams was established in Milton Keynes in 1977. The only United Kingdom
company specialising in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of industrial hot
melt adhesives. Sold worldwide, its award winning hot melts are an important part of thousands
of everyday products from packaging and labelling of food, pharmaceutical
and health care products – as well as in the automotive, print finishing, electronic, white goods,
filter, converting and construction industries.
Judges comments: An impressive track record of growth from a local company using a differentiated niche positioning to exploit and expand in a hotly contested international market, leveraging their specialist knowledge and the strength of their global network.
BUSINESS INNOVATION AWARD – Sponsor: The Open University
EVIDENCE TALKS LTD
Evidence Talks is one of the country’s leading authorities on forensic computing, servicing clients in the corporate, law enforcement & intelligence communities.
At the forefront of technical innovation in digital forensics and intelligence gathering, Evidence Talks has developed several unique proprietary products at its Milton Keynes R & D facility, including the award-winning products and services for government clients, enabling front line staff the ability to triage digital devices with minimal training.
Judges comments: Evidence Talks newest development, SPEKTOR, has significantly boosted the company’s business. The product position meets an increasingly significant need and with it has developed reputation and enhanced technology improvements positioned to drive forward its competitive advantage.
TRAINING EXCELLENCE AWARD – Sponsor: thecentre:mk
JURYS INN MILTON KEYNES
Jurys Inn Milton Keynes is a centrally located 3 star superior hotel in the heart of Milton Keynes. With facilities of 279 spacious modern rooms, to our conference and banqueting suites catering for up to 400 guests, to our superb relaxing Innfusion Restaurant & Inntro Bar, we provide the perfect environment for your needs.
Judges comments: Jurys Inn’s creativity to adapt their training programme in the current economic climate, implementing innovative ideas and introducing a competitive spirit whilst ensuring no loss of quality was impressive. Their ongoing commitment to employees from outside the industry and the excellent promotion from within means that the training plans make the best use of its most valuable asset, its staff.
BUSINESS SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AWARD – Sponsor: Milton Keynes Partnership
THE RE-USE CENTRE
The RE-USE CENTRE ‘Community Project’ is a non-profit making charitable organisation
that collects free of charge, items no longer required by the public, but which are still of
use by the local community, people on low incomes and disadvantaged groups and would otherwise end up in landfills. Items collected are displayed in the Re-Use Centre and then sold on at low charge cost-plus basis, given away, or donated.
Judges comments: An impressive and innovative approach that translates global topical issues to address society’s oldest issues of poverty and vulnerability. Demonstrating how passion and pragmatism can make a real difference to the community.
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD – Sponsor: Superoffice Software
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Milton Keynes Theatre (MKT) and the adjacent gallery opened in 1999 having been awarded over £20m of
Lottery funding. Over 10 years the theatre has become one of the most successful regional theatres on the
national circuit playing host to a wide-range of high-profile touring shows including large-scale West End
Musicals, Drama, Opera, Ballet, Contemporary Dance and one-night shows.
Judges comments: A commitment to international standards of excellence in customer service is incorporated throughout the business day to day with a dedication to a culture of continuous improvement.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT AWARD – Sponsor: Kimbells LLP
THECENTRE:MK
With over 240 stores, cafes and restaurants all under one roof, thecentre:mk is anchored by John Lewis, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer and Next. thecentre:mk is the premier shopping destination in the region between London and Birmingham, Cambridge and Oxford, and is unrivalled in its customer service. It has a varied programme of events including an award winning Christmas display. It is a founder member of the National Skills Academy for retail and has Investors in People Accreditation.
Judges comments: An inspiring demonstration of how commitment to supporting the environment becomes not only a standard of quality but by involving and integrating it through the entire value chain from community, consumers, public, retailers and suppliers proves the green economy can generate income and deliver bottom line savings.
MK APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD – Sponsor: Jungheinrich UK Ltd
NATASHA PIPER - THE EXTRA CARE CHARITABLE TRUST
The Extra Care Charitable Trust operates supported housing schemes and retirement villages founded on the charitable principal that age, health or financial means shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving an enjoyable quality of life in later years. We view an active lifestyle which promotes independence and wellbeing as the key to achieve this.
Judges comments: We were impressed with how Natasha had overcome obvious adversity and was now making a very positive contribution to the Extra Care Charitable Trust.