More than 100 people attended the Dorset Business Awards ‘Meet the Finalists’ exclusive drinks reception to celebrate the 39 businesses being selected as the finalists of this year’s awards.
Organised by the Dorset Chamber, the event saw sponsors and shortlisted Dorset businesses gather together at The Italian Villa, Poole, ahead of the prestigious Gala Dinner on Thursday, November 1.
The 2018 finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership
- Georgina Hurcombe, managing director at LoveLove Films, Bournemouth
- Tony Lockwood, managing director at BOFA International Ltd, Poole
- Jamie Sergeant, founder and director at Crowd, Bournemouth
Dorset Environmental Business Award, sponsored by Dorset Wildlife Trust and Poole Harbour Commissioners
- Neal’s Yard Remedies, Gillingham
- Tops Day Nurseries, Bournemouth
- Upton Country Park, Poole
Exporting Excellence Award, sponsored by HSBC and PSP Worldwide Logistics
- Atlas Elektronik UK, Dorchester
- Haystack Dryers, Ringwood
- Modulift, Poole
Outstanding Customer Service Award, sponsored by Beales Gourmet and Teachers Building Society
- Bluebird Care (Bournemouth & Poole), Bournemouth
- Blue Sky Financial Planning, Poole
- Sontronics, Poole
TeamJobs Team of the Year
- Inspire Professional Services, Poole
- Siemens, Poole
- Sunny Bird PR, Bournemouth
The Developing Talent Award, sponsored by Sunseeker
- Greendale Construction Limited, Poole
- Inspire Professional Services, Poole
- Ward Goodman, Wareham
Young Apprentice Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by Superior Seals Ltd
- Tilly Cuttler from JP Morgan, Bournemouth
- Tom Davis from Cloudserve, Bournemouth
- Gareth Holford from Weymouth College
Creative Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Digipigz
- Coastal BID, Bournemouth – Project Name: Go Bournemouth Coast
- Salad Creative Ltd, Poole – Project Name: Commonwealth Games England Website
- The ID Group, Poole – Project Name: You Are The Media
Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by BWT Physio and Ouch Training Team
- Health-on-line, Bournemouth
- Organix, Wake up to Wellbeing, Bournemouth
- The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bournemouth
Lester Aldridge Company of the Year
- Actisense, Poole
- Alfatronix, Poole
- BV Dairy, Shaftesbury
PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award
- BV Dairy, Shaftesbury
- Hall & Woodhouse, Blandford Forum
- Marsham Court, Bournemouth
The ScaleUp for Business Growth Award, sponsored Enhanced
- Beyond Retail Ltd, Bournemouth
- DJS (UK) Ltd, Bournemouth
- Unicorn Training Group Ltd, Bournemouth
UK Health Insurance Investing in Dorset Award
- BV Dairy, Shaftesbury
- Sea-NC Engineering / Network Enterprise Complex, Portland
- Sontronics, Poole
Stuart Dixon, head of marketing and communications at Dorset Chamber, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for sponsors and finalists to come together to celebrate the fact that they have been shortlisted out of 140 entries for the awards this year. There was a real buzz in the room and a sense of excitement as we rapidly approach the gala dinner in just a couple of weeks’ time.
“All finalists should be extremely proud of making the shortlist and we look forward to celebrating together in style on the night.”
In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, and backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105, the awards evening will begin with a drinks reception sponsored by Caterpillar Marine Ltd. This is followed by an exquisite three-course dinner, prepared by BH Live Hospitality, before the awards presentation begins. Creative direction will be provided from award partners Global Brand Communications together with the event production specialists Brighter Productions.