THE ACHIEVEMENTS of Leamington’s businesses have been celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony.
Over 200 people from 46 businesses recently came together at the Woodland Grange Hotel for the Leamington Business Awards, where ten awards were up for grabs and over £4,000 was raised for charity.
The Leamington Business Awards, sponsored by BPS, aims to celebrate the success of local Leamington businesses, and have been organised by local accountants and financial advisers Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O).
Each entry was judged by MP Chris White, Bravissimo founder Sarah Tremellen MBE, IAPS chief executive David Hanson and the Founder of Leamington Business Forum Jonathan Smith.
The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Dawn Walker of Quattro Recruitment, who managed to save 40 jobs at a profitable Leamington branch of a loss-making recruitment company by brokering a deal another company.
Hollie Bawden from the Treatment Lounge received the Young Business Person Award after leaving a managerial position to successfully set up her own beauty salon in the town.
The company that received the most votes out of all of the categories was hairdressing salon Headmasters, who claimed the Health, Beauty & Fitness Award.
Karen Massey, founder of the Leamington Business Awards, said: “It is nights like this when Leamington really is at its best.
“The night was jam packed full of tales about business successes and overcoming adversity, and has reminded us all of just what a great place Leamington is to do business in. I and the judges have been impressed with both the calibre and variety of entries this year.
“We’ve had a record of people voting for their favourite business this year since we started three years ago, which also shows the awards are going from strength-to-strength.”
In other categories, Ruth Waring of Labyrinth Solutions came away with the Business Person Award, and business management consultants Risk Evolves won the Professional Services Award.
The National Business Award went to the Guide Dogs charity who have been in the town for over 75 years, while marketing agency Denfield collected the Large Business Award.
Meanwhile, event management business Beautiful Minds Promotions received the Small Business Award and the New Business accolade was awarded to sauce and chutney supplier Prices Spices. Mobile caterer The Jabberwocky also collected the Hospitality Award.
A raffle and sponsorship also raised £3,000 for Leamington care centre Castel Froma, while a heads and tails game raised £1,000 for Love Leam, a website supporting the town’s businesses.
Helen Barge, managing director of Risk Evolves, also donated an £800 smart TV she won in the evening’s raffle to a charity The Ups of Downs, which provides meeting places for parents and children with down’s syndrome.
