Academy that inspires students wins Business of the Year at record-breaking Awards
Academy that inspires students wins Business of the Year at record-breaking Awards
Bexley’s biggest business awards broke records for yet another year with more people than ever entering the awards and attending the glittering gala finale.
More than 300 guests applauded as the winners from 147 entries – up 43% on 2018 – collected awards in 12 categories at the 2019 Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony of Bexley Business Excellence Awards in association with Ocado (Thurs. 27th June 2019).
But the biggest cheer of the night at Hall Place and Gardens – the spectacular venue – was for the overall Business of the Year, Inspire Hair and Beauty Academy.
Eighteen year old students Poppy Whitton and Taylor Westfold (pictured above) were nominated by Inspire to collect the award from Steve Hammond, General Manager of Headline Sponsor Ocado CFC4 Erith. Earlier they had collected the award for Business Commitment to Education & Skills.
Proud Academy owner, Clair Harradine, who was sadly unable to attend on the night due to illness, said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for us – our students are very proud that we were recognized as the best in Bexley. I would also like to thank all of my staff and students for their support throughout the years. This has enabled our Academy to achieve greater standards and recognition and has set a benchmark for the salon and its students. We will strive to maintain and develop the standard of teaching so that our students can achieve the highest qualification possible and to become trailblazers within our industry for Bexley. This award will help us to reach out
to even more aspiring beauticians, barbers and hairdressers and help them to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.”
Steve Hammond, General Manager, of Headline Sponsor Ocado CFC4 Erith, was impressed by the range of businesses who entered the 2019 awards.
He said: “Ocado is very proud to again sponsor the Bexley Business Excellence Awards. This year is the first time I have been through the entire process from the launch and judging, right through to the awards ceremony. What this has brought to light very clearly is that the borough has an amazing range of very different and diverse businesses within it. All of them are going above and beyond to make sure that they are genuinely in touch and involved with the community and doing everything they can, not only for their business to succeed but also for your community as well – so well done to them all.”
The 7th annual Bexley Business Excellence Awards in association with Ocado attracted entries from 85 companies across every sector of the business community, from sole traders to start-ups and long established companies.
The awards ceremony, hosted by TV presenter Michael Underwood, was held in a glittering marquee in the grounds of historic Hall Place & Gardens. Guests enjoyed a drinks reception, with instrumental music from Rose Burford 3rd year student Aron Dochard, and a three course dinner during the evening, which finished with dancing into the wee small hours.
Councillor Louie French, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Growth, London Borough of Bexley said: “It was a fantastic evening and great to see so many people attending this year. The Awards are going from strength to strength – not only did we have a record number of people at the Gala Dinner, we also had a record number entering the awards in 2019. In total we had 147 entries, including many that are new to the business awards, which is a really great effort by our business community. On behalf of all the councillors of Bexley, I would like to thank every business in the borough for the jobs you create and the role you play in the community – you are key to what makes Bexley such a great place to live and work.”
The councillor also paid special tribute to all the judges for their hard work, to Michael Underwood the awards host, and to all the sponsors including, headline sponsor Ocado for helping to make the programme such a success.
The 2019 Awards are sponsored by: Ocado; Event Partners London Borough of Bexley and Bexley for Business; Aitch Group; Crayford Greyhound Track; ITRM Ltd.; Kimmicass, Learning and Enterprise College Bexley; London South East Colleges; Peabody; Sidcup Partners Ltd; and Waterman Group. They are supported by the Bexley Times, Insight6, Holiday Inn London, Maid on a Mission, Mobile Bar Hire and Northgate Public Services. www.bexleyawards.co.uk
The 2019 Bexley Business Excellence Award Winners:
Business of the Year – Sponsored by Ocado
Winner – Inspire Hair and Beauty Academy
Best SME – Sponsored by ITRM
Winner – Bexleyheath Dental Practice and The Sandford Clinic
Highly Commended – FWD Training & Consultancy
Commended – Playle & Parnters
Business Commitment to Education & Skills – Sponsored by The Learning & Enterprise College Bexley
Winner – Inspire Hair and Beauty Academy
Highly Commended – All the Arts Theatre School
Commended – Capital Hoist Hire & Sales
Best Employer – Sponsored by The Waterman Group
Winner – McMillan Williams Solicitors
Highly Commended – Crayford Greyhound Track
Commended – EB Associates Group
Commitment to Customer Service – Sponsored by Crayford Greyhound Stadium
Winner – Aspire Pharmacy
Highly Commended – Maid on a Mission
Commended – Stone & Co Hair
Best Charity or Social Enterprise – Sponsored by London South East Colleges
Winner – Inspire Community Trust
Highly Commended – Riverdale Court Care Home
Commended – Re-instate
Best New Business – Sponsored by Peabody
Winner – Lingotot Bexley
Highly Commended – Point of View Glazing
Commended – Calm Collective
Tech Innovation of the Year
Winner – Taylor Technology Systems
Highly Commended – Blueline Home Design
Commended – Plum Innovation
Business Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Sidcup Partners
Winner – Suzie Johnson-Smith, Suzie’s Beauty Bar
Highly Commended – Lola Campbell, Eclipse School of Beauty
Commended – Darren O’Brien, O’Brien’s Electrical
Contribution to the Community – Presented by Purple Willows
Winner – Feel Good Co-Operative
Highly Commended – Linklaters Optometrists
Commended – All the Arts Theatre School/Petty Freeman Estates
Love Your Local Business – Sponsored by Kimmicass
Winner – The Wright Eyewear Company
Highly Commended –Calm Collective/Stone & Co Hair
Commended– Jacqueline’s Gems Childcare Services
Made or Assembled in Bexley – Presented by McBrides Chartered Accountants
Winner – Freshasia Foods
Highly Commended – Dartford Composites
Commended – Prompt Side
Food & Beverage Award
Winner – Crayford Greyhound Track
Highly Commended – Renaissance Pub Company – The Kings Arms
Commended – Hello Burger
