SLIDESHOW: Stars rise to the challenge
IT'S been a tough year in business but Bedfordshire companies were celebrating last night.
The Rising Stars Bedfordshire and Luton Business Excellence awards had all the glitz expected of the annual Premier Newspapers event.
Around 200 men and women from the business community turned out at The Park Inn, Bedford, to hear this year's winners.
Paul Gibson, managing director of Premier Newspapers, said: "In these testing times it has been more of a challenge to find sponsorship funding but we are really pleased to be able to present the awards again.
"It is amazing to receive entries from individuals and businesses that are still achieving great things and rising above the current economic climate."
The shortlist of 24 nominees who impressed the judges ranged from IT and technology professionals to hairdressers and pub owners.
But the big winner was Bedford's Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers), declared Company of the Year 2009.
This highest accolade goes to the company which demonstrates "exceptional business achievement" through sustained growth and profitability.
Matt Stewart, a director at the Midland Road Specsavers branch, said: "It is the first time we have entered the awards and we never expected this. If you look at the strength of the competition it is just fantastic."
Award winners…
Shining Star Award
Sponsored by Barnfield College
Ade Balogun, Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade
Highly commended: Marianne Smith, Limes of Bedford; Jade Hawkes, A1 Security
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bedford Borough Council
Angels and Urchins, Bedford
Highly commended: Lockertek
Employee of the Year Award
Helen Scott, Maxwells Hair and Beauty, Biggleswade
Highly commended: Mandy Andrews, Applied IT
Champions of Learning
Sponsored by Bedford College Training Services
Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade
Highly commended: Applied IT
Customer Care Excellence
Sponsored by Premier Newspapers
Luton Visitor Information
Highly commended: Bedford Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers)
The Mobile Store, Dunstable
Green Business of the Year Award
Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade
Highly commended: As Green As Couriers, Kempston
Innovation Award
Sponsored by University of Bedfordshire (Knowledge Hub)
Vendescent, Leighton Buzzard
Small/Medium Sized Business of the Year
Sponsored by Keens Shay Keens
ProAccess Scaffolding, Leighton Buzzard
Highly Commended: Bedford Visionplus Ltd
www.Business of the Year
Prestige Print Ltd, Bedford
Company of the Year 2009 Award
Sponsored by Bedfordshire & Luton Chamber of Commerce
Bedford Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers)
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Friday 25 May 2012
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