Success Of Leading Kent Companies Rewarded
The county’s leading businesses have been recognised by the Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards when the winners were announced at a gala dinner attended by nearly 250 guests.
Two individual awards were made during the evening. The first was the Chamber Legacy Award presented to Jo James OBE, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her 33 years at the chamber and ahead of her retirement at the end of the year. It was presented by Roger Gough, Leader of Kent County Council.
The penultimate award was presented to Miranda Chapman, Managing Director of Pillory Barn. She received the Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent Award for her years of working with many organisations, including the South East LEP, and as a Governor of EKC Group. The award, judged by a panel from Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, recognised Miranda for her impact on the business landscape and the communities she serves.
Chris Hare, chairman of Kent Invicta Chamber, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who continue to inspire us with their resilience and commitment towards the county. Their collective achievements are testament to their hard work, and we look forward to seeing their continued success and growth.
“A special congratulations must also go to Jo and Miranda for their years of tireless support for the county which has helped make it a much stronger place and it was great to recognise and celebrate this.”
The awards, now in their 17th year, celebrate the winner’s outstanding achievements in the local business community at a gala ceremony held at Westenhanger Castle, near Folkestone, with the dinner sponsored by Evelyn Partners, the wealth, accountancy and business advisers.
The winners and finalists of the 10 categories, included:
Business of the Year 2023, sponsored by Canterbury Christ Church University
Winner: Brimstone Site Investigation
Finalist: BJF Group
Finalist: Modus Construction Consultants
Construction Project of the Year 2023, sponsored by JobMatcha
Winner: WW Martin Ltd – Project: Poppy Fields
Finalist: Coniston Ltd – Project: Maison Dieu, Dover
Finalist: Hazle McCormack Young LLP – Project:Mote Park Café and Visitor Centre
Employer of the Year 2023, sponsored by McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford
Winner: Horizonscan Ltd
Finalist: Betteridge & Milsom Ltd (b&m)
Finalist: Reflect Digital
Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, sponsored by University of Greenwich
Winner: Liam Dibley – PICH Telecoms Ltd
Finalist: Abi Ireland – Wine Tours of Kent
Finalist: Tom Reveley – IT Manager Services Ltd
Excellence in Customer Service 2023, sponsored by Azets
Winner: Baxall Construction Ltd
Finalist: Advance Facilities Group Ltd
Finalist: Dockside Property Services
Family Business of the Year 2023, sponsored by Stagecoach South East
Winner: Lukehurst
Finalist: Fallow Management
Finalist: Kent Cricket Direct
Innovative Business of the Year 2023, sponsored by Air IT
Winner: Bedfont Scientific Ltd
Finalist: MPR IT Solutions
Finalist: Safer Communities Alliance
Most Promising New Business 2023, sponsored by NFU Mutual – Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield
Winner: Matches Sports Bar & Social
Finalist: Cheran’s Bakery (Cheran’s Ltd)
Finalist: Foundations Child & Family Therapy
Success in International Trade 2023, sponsored by BAE Systems
Winner: Bedfont Scientific Ltd
Finalist: Kemet International Limited
Finalist: Tillett Ltd
Sustainability & Decarbonisation Business of the Year 2023, sponsored by Mid Kent College
Winner: Gallagher Aggregates
Finalist: BISON
Finalist: Frasers
For more information about the gala dinner and the award ceremony, please visit: www.kentchamberawards.co.uk
