BUSINESS awards are back in Basingstoke - and their return provided a great showcase of winners and finalists to be proud of.
More than 150 guests, finalists and sponsors attended the Inspire07 Business Awards event, held in association with Business Link, at The Hampshire Court hotel, Chineham.
Six awards were up for grabs at the gala final on Tuesday, November 27 - Young Entrepreneur of the Year, E-Business of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Sustainable Business of the Year, Rural Business of the Year and Business of the Year.
Councillor Andrew Finney, borough Cabinet member for economic and educational development, told the audience there would be some inspirational stories from the award winners.
He said: "We are going to hear a little about the rollercoaster ride of business and also hear some inspirational stories and inspirational results.
"And those who are here representing the finalists in our business awards have achieved a great deal of success already, merely by being here."
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Cllr Finney also spoke about the great strength, diversity and vibrancy of Basingstoke and north Hampshire's business-based economy.
He went on to say: "Basingstoke has been designated as a diamond for growth - it is a diamond in the South East.
"It has tremendous opportunity for all of us, as business people and residents of the borough, to achieve growth and success. Tonight is a celebration of that."
One of the driving forces behind the Inspire07 Business Awards was Phil Wilding, the managing director of Hampshire builder Wilding Butler.
Back in May, at the launch of the awards,
Mr Wilding billed Inspire07 as something that should be like a night at the Oscars.
On Tuesday talking from an impressive-looking stage that featured two Oscar-style statues, Mr Wilding - who is also chairman of WSX Enterprise, which is responsible for Business Link and UK Trade & Investment - spoke about what makes a successful business.
He said: "It's about what's inside individuals - it's about vision and the dream and the desire to succeed."
The big winners on the night were Helen and James Hague whose Daisy's Dairy company won the coveted Business of the Year award.
In this section of our website dedicated to the awards, you can find a report on their success and that of the other award winners - and you can also read how a true comeback king of the business world produced a 24-carat gold speech to round off the awards.
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