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
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