Companies shortlisted for prestigious awards

For Thursday, November 11, 2010 is the date when the Rising Stars Bedfordshire and Luton Business Excellence Awards will be handed out at a glittering ceremony at Bedford’s Park Inn Hotel.

The awards and the companies shortlisted for them are:

International Business of the Year, sponsored by HSBC:

> Bell Packaging, based on the Barratt Industrial Park, in Airport Way, Luton.

> Invar Systems, based on Cranfield Technology Park.

> Philippe Salmon Technical Translations, based in Ashburnham Lodge, Ashburnham Road, Ampthill.

Employee of the Year, sponsored by Preen CIC:

> Paula Clements, commis-chef and cook at the The Forest Centre, on Station Road, Marston Moretaine.

> Nursery school proprietor Dianne Todd, of Cheeky Monkeys, on Linden Road, Bedford.
> Lead solicitor Kuljit Lally of family law firm Adams Moore, based on Park Street, Luton.

> Technical director Darren Culley, of Pressfab EVO, on Faldo Road, Barton.

> Elizabeth Pantry, of Specsavers, on Midland Road, Bedford.

Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Bedford Borough Council:

> Bell Packaging, of Luton.

> Pure Planet Recycling Ltd, of Adelaide Square, Bedford.

> EcoStyle, based in the Luton Business and Innovation Centre, Butterfield, Luton.

> Eco campaigner, solicitor Anil Virji, is credited with giving law firm Pictons LLP, based on Dunstable Road, Luton, a greener way to apply the law.

Customer Care Excellence Award, sponsored by Premier Newspapers:

> Crimson Catz, based on St Margaret’s Avenue, Luton.

> Pub business The White Horse, on Newnham Avenue, Bedford.

> Brown & White (Opticians), of The Mall, Luton, and in Houghton Regis.

> Vehicle convertors Pressfab EVO Ltd, of Faldo Road, Barton.       
> 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty Spa Ltd, in Bedford.
> Specsavers in Midland Road, Bedford.

The New Business of the Year award, is sponsored by Bedford Borough Council:

> Justin Wickersham created Optimis Consulting, based on Castle Lane, Bedford, in 2009.

> Sales recruitment company Advancing People Ltd, of Kimbolton Road, Bedford, started life in April 2009.

> Baby equipment, gifts and clothing firm BumpsnBabes.com, of Station Road, Sharnbrook, started in August 2009 and employs seven people.

> Love Mum X Ltd, of the Wedding Courtyard, North Street, Leighton Buzzard started in 2009 and employs two people at the shop.

Pictons Solicitors LLP is sponsoring the award for Small/Medium-sized Business of the Year:

> Summerhill Farm Shop, of Cople Road, Cardington.

> The White Horse, in Newnham Avenue, Bedford.

> Preen Community Interest Company, of Shortmead Industrial Estate, Sun Street, Biggleswade.

> Bell Packaging, of Airport Way, Luton.

> Invar Systems Ltd, based on Cranfield Technology Park.

Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum is backing the Innovation and Strategy Award:

ConsortiCo Ltd, on Bromham Road, Bedford, is a consortium of charities working together to improve quality of life.

Sports Traider, on Greyfriars, Bedford, is a Community Interest Company that sells new and second hand sports goods.

The Champions of Learning Award:

> Adams Moore Solicitors Ltd, of Park Street, Luton and Bromham Road, Bedford,.

> 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty Spa Ltd, of Howard Street, Bedford, was started in 1997 and employs 21 people.

> Specsavers’ Team Bedford has had one of its best years yet. It has been in Midland Road for 19 years and has 56 team members.

The Entrepreneur of the Year award is sponsored by Specsavers in Midland Road, Bedford:

> Toni Moore the driving force and MD of Adams Moore Solicitors Ltd, which has offices in Luton and Bedford.

> Debbie Moliterno, the owner/proprietor of Cheeky Monkeys Two Day Nursery, of Linden Road, Bedford.

> Lisa Eggleton, of Solutions Laser Clinic, High Street, Leagrave, Luton.

> Gill Pedley, of BumpsnBabes.com, of Station Road, Sharnbrook, launched her company from a standing start in August 2009. She now has 40 accounts.

Chartered accountants Keens Shay Keens is supporting the Company of the Year award:

> Adams Moore Solicitors Ltd has bases in Park Street, Luton, and Bromham Road, Bedford.

> The White Horse pub in Bedford has seen a threefold increase in income and turned around the business.