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

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