South Wilts Business of the Year 2012 (From Salisbury Journal)

South Wilts Business of the Year 2012

5:18pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Morwenna Blake

GLITZ and glamour graced Salisbury Playhouse yesterday for the 2012 South Wilts Business of the Year Awards, which celebrates all that is good in the area’s business community.

From small family firms, to international organisations, and individual effort to tremendous teamwork, there were stories of effort and triumph, despite the adversity faced by many in a time of economic difficulty nationwide.

The Business Personality of the Year award went to Catherine Dunning of event management firm Ladies who Love.

Based in Salisbury, the firm organises events that allow other businesses in south Wiltshire to become involved as well, and Catherine was recognised for the effort she puts into giving something back to the business community.

She said: “Little things make a difference, such as allowing a charity to exhibit for free. And we were involved with JAS Hair in organising a fashion week for the community and to help local businesses.

“I wasn’t expecting to win anything and I’m a little shell shocked, but over the moon.”

The Business of the Year Award for a business with under £500k annual turnover went to Spire Homecare Ltd, which offers domiciliary care to people to allow them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

Assistant manager Barbara Highman said: “It was the first time we entered and we never expected to win. I’m just so pleased for the whole of my team.”

Business of the Year with over £500k but under £5million turnover Salisbury Playhouse, which is succeeding with new ventures despite having its core funding cut and working with local schools and businesses while continuing to bring top class plays and other entertainment to the city.

And the Business of the Year with more than £5millon turnover was Naim Audio.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to funeral director Ian Newman for his dedication to helping businesses through his work with City Centre Management, the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Accepting the award, he said: “In my dealings with various councils over the years I have often said ‘I’m for Salisbury. Who are you for? All of you, by being here tonight have proved that you are for Salisbury’.”

More coverage and interviews with the winners will be published in the next edition of In Business in the Journal on July 26.

The Winners:

FSB Business Of The Year (under 500k t/o Award): Spire Homecare Ltd.

Design Types Award – e commerce award: Less Bounce

Spire FM Retailer Award: Allum and Sidaway

Trethowans – Personality Award: Cat Dunning

The Salisbury Journal – marketing excellence award: Jackie Mann Associates.

Moore Stephens Business Of The Year Award – (over 500k under £5mill t/o: Salisbury Playhouse.

Autocrash – Excellence in Customer Service Award: RGV engineering

Cathedral Hotel – Hospitality Award: Salisbury Cathedral

Sandy Balls Holiday Park – Tourism Award: Stonehenge Camper Vans

TABS Training award: JAS Hair

Barclays Business Award – over 5 million t/o: Naim Audio

Value Cars – New Business Award: NVU Hair & Beauty

Emery Little Financial Services - Environmental Award: Wessex Timber Windows