AWARD-winning adventurer Jordan Wylie MBE – star of hit TV reality series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted – will be a VIP guest and compere at this year’s Inspire Business Awards.

Former soldier Jordan, who was awarded an MBE by King Charles III for his services to education and charity on the Horn of Africa in January 2023, is a supporter of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) – the chosen charity of the 2022-23 Inspire Business Awards.

Jordan, who has many strings to his bow, is a popular public speaker and a familiar face to fans of Channel 4’s Hunted and Celebrity Hunted, where he is one of the expert hunters who seek to track down contestants who go on the run and try to evade capture.

Best-selling author Jordan, a patron of several Hampshire-based charities, is looking forward to compering the awards in July and to helping to raise the profile of HIOWAA.

READ MORE: Finalists revealed for this year's Inspire Business Awards

Jordan, who has been national ambassador for the Army Cadets since 2018, said: ‘‘I am delighted to be asked to host the Inspire Business Awards this year – what a great privilege. I can’t wait to meet all the nominees and winners at this year’s awards.

“Hampshire and its businesses have been very good to me since I moved down here from Blackpool when I was 16 to join the military. Many of the companies have sponsored my expeditions over the years which I will be forever grateful for.

“I am super proud to be able to represent Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance at this event. They are such an important organisation that are literally saving lives every day across the county. Hopefully, we will never need them but if we do, you can always count on them to be there and that’s why we should do everything we can to support this incredible charity.”

Jonathan Pender, chair of Destination Basingstoke, which organises the Inspire Business Awards, said: “We are delighted, proud and honoured that Jordan has accepted the invitation to be a guest and compere for this year’s awards.

“He is a great supporter of HIOWAA and so many other charities, and we are delighted that he will be playing a key role in the awards ceremony and will be flying the flag for HIOWAA.” 

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Keith Wilson, director of income and engagement for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, said: “The Inspire Business Awards are the highlight of the north Hampshire business calendar, and the whole air ambulance team are proud to be chosen as the charity partner.

“We are delighted, and grateful, that Jordan is supporting the charity at this significant event, and we look forward to working with organisers and partners to deliver a really special ceremony that supports our work saving lives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Thursday, July 13 is the date for the diary and The Anvil in Basingstoke will be the place to be as people and businesses from Basingstoke and Deane, Rushmoor and Test Valley compete for the winner’s prize in 11 categories. Tickets will be going on soon so please save the date.

The 2022-23 finalists are:

Business of the Year (Over £1million turnover) – sponsored by Absolutely Offices

  • Scientific Management International
  • Phillips Law 
  • Wildflower Turf
  • Touchdown PR

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Menzies

  • Matthew Larcome
  • Farah Fonseca
  • Nikki Carr

Employer of the Year – sponsored by Reality HR

  • LG Motion
  • Right at Home
  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Scientific Management International

New Business of the Year – sponsored by TrustMark

  • Elai Restaurant
  • Afrizi
  • Physical Balance

Business and Community – sponsored by Destination Basingstoke

  • Fortem Financial Management Limited
  • THEMPC Limited
  • Yateley Sports Community Interest Company

Service Excellence – sponsored by Morr & Co Solicitors

  • Hampshire Tile Warehouse
  • Minerva Procurement Consultancy Services Ltd
  • Cevitr Ltd

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Minuteman Press

  • Michaela Hamilton
  • Dmitrijs Meiksans
  • La-Toyah McKenzie

Environmental Responsibility – sponsored by Vitacress

  • Longdog Brewery
  • Dignity Pet Crematorium
  • The Typeface Group

Wellbeing at Work – sponsored by Festival Place

  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Castle Trust Bank
  • Simpila Mental Health
  • Basingstoke College of Technology

Diversity and Inclusion Champion – sponsored by Sovereign

  • Penningtons Manches Cooper
  • ResourceIT Consulting
  • Willows Coffee House
  • Basingstoke College of Technology

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by RSM

  • Indigo Bakes
  • Simpila Mental Health
  • Physical Balance