2008 Winners
Photos from the awards can be viewed and ordered online here »
You can still read about the other finalists here »
The Judges' Award
Winner: Tackwood Services, St Neots
For the second consecutive year, the judges, chaired by John Bridge, chief executive of Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce, made the Judges' Award for a company that, while not a category winner, nonetheless deserved special recognition. The judges said Tackwood Services had demonstrated an incredible strength and desire to rebuild the business after disaster struck in February this year when its building and all its contents where destroyed by fire.
"The success Tackwood Services has achieved is a testament to the dedicated and motivated team of staff, suppliers and customers who have kept the business moving forward through 2008," the judges added.
Business of the Year, sponsored by Streets Whitmarsh Sterland
Winner: The George Hotel and Brasserie in Buckden
The judges were impressed by the business's continued growth - up 14 per cent this year - the engrained customer service culture, management's encouragement of staff to add to their skills base, the directors' clear vision and the business's targeted marketing.
"The overall impression is of a well-polished business with a clear vision, managed to a high standard by people who care passionately about it," they added. "Strengths include design and ambience, quality of staff and push for high levels of customer satisfaction."
Anne Furbank, 61, has recently competed successfully in the Berlin Marathon and won a national Entrepreneur of the Year award for women.
Business Development, sponsored by HSBC Bank
Winner: Maxine Lester Residential Lettings
The judges said: "The winner of the Business Development Award has in her three years since starting the business in St Ives continued to exceed sales and profit forecasts. Her successful business model is now repeated with the opening of offices in Ely and Bury St Edmunds.
"Investment in the training and development of her staff to ensure they receive the highest qualifications exemplifies the professional approach to meeting clients' needs."
Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Leeds Day solicitors
Winner: Maxine Lester
Maxine Lester, completed a hat-trick of awards, after taking the New Business Award in 2006 and the Business Development Award in 2007 with her St Ives-based residential lettings company.
The judges said: "In a very competitive market Maxine's company has enjoyed significant market share growth achieved by this her leadership, communication and management skills. She has shown excellent strategic vision."
Employee of the Year, sponsored by Anglian Water
Winner: Corrine Garbett, of Huntingdonshire District Council
The judges said: "We were impressed by the way in which Corrine has developed an effective economic development service over the last five years, growing it from less than one full-time person to a seven-person team.
"Not only is she effective in promoting the interests of Huntingdonshire companies across the region but she is skilful at influencing the district council in its support of the business sector."
Employer of the Year, sponsored by social landlord The Luminus Group
Winner: The Huntingdon Marriott Hotel
Judges described the Huntingdon Marriott Hotel as "a vast global business with well developed and sophisticated HR policies. They have lots of opportunities for promotion with daily doses of training and communication."
Environment and Community Award, sponsored by the Environment Agency
Winner: Huntingdon County Squash Club
The judges said the club had "developed a number of programmes aimed at total inclusion for all through engagement of local schools and community organisations".
Innovation Award, sponsored by the Greater Cambridge Partnership
Winner: Tensor PLC, Hail Weston
Tensor PLC has developed a fingerprint-reading system that can detect whorls, arches and loops through the oil, coal dust or other contaminants that defeat conventional fingerprint-recognition technology.
The judges said the company had "demonstrated a new and innovative product that is already having a positive impact on the organisation in terms of new business obtained, as well as a reduction in manufacturing costs. Their approach to innovation has been driven throughout the organisation with an ethos of research and development which remains a top priority for the organisation."
Internet Award, sponsored by Huntingdonshire District Council
Winner: ISC Software Solutions, Huntingdon
In the words of the judging panel: "This website is a worthy winner because it is easy to use, has a clear and simple layout and has made a significant contribution to the development of the business in three different ways - enquirers can quickly and easily find information about the company and the software and services it provides; the website provides a central, rapid and efficient way for ISC colleagues to share information with each other and check progress on projects, keeping costs and time spent to a minimum; and clients have access online to a wide range of information and support as and when they need it."
New Business, sponsored by Artisan Developments (UK) Limited
Winner: The Nail Retreat, St Ives
The judges said: "As a start up business, The Nail Retreat has set its objectives out clearly and concisely with a strong emphasis on delivering strong customer value."
They felt that the business had been developed on sound business principles with the management team seeking advice from a number of sources. "The testimony to the success of this business can be found within the comprehensive business plan, which has demonstrated a strong and detailed approach to marketing, finance and operational activities."
Retailer of the Year, sponsored by D H Barford and Company
Winner: The George Hotel and Brasserie in Buckden
The judges were impressed by the business's continued growth - up 14 per cent this year - the engrained customer service culture, management's encouragement of staff to add to their skills base, the directors' clear vision and the business's targeted marketing.
"The overall impression is of a well-polished business with a clear vision, managed to a high standard by people who care passionately about it," they added. "Strengths include design and ambience, quality of staff and push for high levels of customer satisfaction."
Anne Furbank, 61, has recently competed successfully in the Berlin Marathon and won a national Entrepreneur of the Year award for women.
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by the Huntingdonshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses
Winner: The Nail Retreat, St Ives
The Nail Retreat, in St Ives, has been trading for just a year and learned this week that it is also one of five finalists in a national sector competition.
The judges said: "The partners have worked together effectively to implement a shared vision based on market knowledge and the highest standards of customer care. They have shown exceptional attention to detail in a comprehensive business plan."
Training and Development Award, sponsored by Huntingdonshire Regional College
Winner: Vindis Audi, Huntingdon
The judges said they "were impressed with the comprehensive training and development programme which builds on what they are required to do by Audi by adding local procedures that use modern techniques to develop their staff at all levels in the business".
Young Enterprise Award
Winner: Amethyst from Kimbolton School.
Photos from the awards can be viewed and ordered online here »