INSPIRE14 proved to be quite a night at Highfield Park where 600 people enjoyed north Hampshire’s premier business awards.

Now firmly fixed in the business calendar, the awards celebrate the very best of businesses and individuals from across the region.

And this year the organiser of the event, Destination Basingstoke, received the largest number of award entries from business in Andover in the west to Aldershot in the east and everywhere in between.

There were 13 awards up for grabs, including the coveted Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Hampshire builder Wilding Butler.

This went to contract manufacturer EC Electronics, based in Basingstoke, whose staff at the awards were over the moon to pick up the accolade.

Gazette Newspapers editor Mark Jones, who compèred the evening with Destination Basingstoke managing director Felicity Edwards congratulated EC Electronics, describing it as “a business that north Hampshire can truly be proud of.”

Delighted with how the glittering awards celebration went, Felicity said: “It has been another record breaking year for the INSPIRE Business Awards programme which continues to grow, receiving an unprecedented level of nominations and entries this year.

“The quality of winners really goes to show that north Hampshire is a place where businesses thrive.” Before getting down to the evening’s business, guests were able to mingle and network at a Champagne reception.

Among them was Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, who described the evening as “fantastic.”

She said: “It was a celebration of success for businesses in Basingstoke and now increasingly throughout the whole of north Hampshire.

“It’s not just a great place to live, but clearly a good place to do business as well.”

A special presentation was given to outgoing Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council chief executive Tony Curtis, who said the award came out of the blue.

“I had no idea I was going to receive this – it’s a big surprise,” he said.

“It’s a thank you for my contribution to INSPIRE over the years.

“The awards are part of our approach in supporting business, because we believe businesses are our life blood.

“If we have a strong and successful economy that will benefit the people of Basingstoke and Deane, then they will have a good and prosperous quality of life.”

During the evening comedian rapper Chris Turner went down storm with his act, while The Pink Place – the event’s chosen charity that supports breast cancer patients – sold balloons containing mystery prizes.

 

INSPIRE14 Roll of Honour

 

Business of the Year – sponsored by Wilding Butler

Winner – EC Electronics, Basingstoke

 

International Business of the Year – sponsored by HSBC

Winner – Sonardyne International

 

Sustainable Business of the Year – sponsored by Vitacress

Winner – Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

 

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Hampshire County Council

Winner – Chris Rees, of Rees Leisure

 

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by 1-1 Recruitment

Winner – Alan Inskip, of Tempcover

 

Employer of the Year – sponsored by Haines Watts

Winner – Sentinel Housing Association

 

Employee of the Year – sponsored by Hays

Winner – Alan Arnold, of Infinity Motorcycles

 

Marketing Campaign of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press

Winner – Jupp Castle

 

Service Excellence Award – sponsored by Asset Advantage

Winner – KJM Group

 

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Xcite Digital

Winner – The Typeface Group

 

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by The Breeze

Winner – Basingstoke Energy Services Co-operative

 

Innovation Excellence – sponsored by Santander

Winner – Sonardyne International

 

Business and the Community – sponsored by BVA

Winner – Aldershot Town FC, Aldershot