Published: December 1, 2019 | Updated: 1st December 2019
The best of business was celebrated as more than 700 guests honoured the county’s finest at the annual Dorset Business Awards Gala Dinner.
The event, organised by Dorset Chamber, is the largest of its kind and a major date in the business calendar.
This year’s awards at the Bournemouth International Centre saw winners from 12 categories crowned and acclaimed.
In total, the success of 36 businesses was celebrated with 12 leaving with one of the highly prized trophies.
They included Mploy Staffing Solutions (Lester Aldridge Company of the Year), Hoburne Group (PKF Francis Clark Family Business Award) and Dorset Cruises (Investing in Dorset Award, sponsored by BV Dairy).
The Gala Dinner opened in style with a drinks reception, sound tracked by Phil J King with Rhythm of the 90s.
Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner from BH Live Hospitality before event hosts from radio station Wave 105 began the awards presentation.
Stuart Dixon, Dorset Chamber’s Head of Marketing and Communications, said: “The Gala Dinner is the night of the year where the community comes together to celebrate business in Dorset.
“It is a fantastic evening recognising and acknowledging the outstanding work businesses in our region are doing.
“Every year we are reminded of the talent and ambition that thrives in the area, and as the regional chamber, are proud to represent this.”
The 12 winners were:
1. Investing in Dorset Award, sponsored by BV Dairy: Dorset Cruises
2. Excellence in Engineering and Manufacturing, sponsored by REID Steel and Atlas Elektronik: Field International Ltd
3. Creative Impact Award, sponsored by Liz Lean PR and Digital Storm: Global Brand Communications (STARS)
4. Team Jobs Team of the Year: Ceuta Group Talent Management and Development Team
5. Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Superior Seals: Emily Birkett
6. Lester Aldridge Company of the Year: Mploy Staffing Solutions
7. PFK Francis Clark Family Business Award: Hoburne Group
8. Employee Health & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Ouch Training Team: Health On Line
9. Dorset Environmental Award, sponsored by Dorset Wildlife Trust and Kingston Maurward: English Oak Vineyard
10. Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership: Jamie Sergeant, Crowd
11. Excellence in Exporting Award, sponsored by HSBC and PSP Worldwide Logistics: Aviation & Defence Spares
12. Enhanced Business Growth Award: Venture Engineering Group
For more about the winners, and judge’s comments, click here.