RBS South London Business Awards 2009

...and the winners are.....

The prestigious annual RBS South London Business Awards culminated last night with a gala dinner and Oscar-style awards ceremony in a lavish marquee on the pitch at Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace FC. Over 575 people attended the awards ceremony and enjoyed a three course meal and entertainment. 52 companies made it to the finals, and every one of London’s twelve south London boroughs was represented.

The award for Business of the Year went to Lambeth-based Z-Card, who also won the Best Business for Marketing Award. Liz Love, Managing Director said “This has been a real team effort. We’ve gone through some tough times and we have fought very hard and it’s just great to have this accolade”.

Peter Pledger, South London Business’ Chief Executive said “We are genuinely delighted to have organised these awards, and I would like to congratulate our business of the year, Z-Card, and every finalist and every other winner on their tremendous achievement. Tonight’s awards ceremony emphasises not only the strength of local business in south London, but also the sheer innovation, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit to be found here”.

The award for Entrepreneur of the Year went to Wandsworth-based Vicky Stothard, whose business Independent Mindbodysoul Ltd is based in Balham. Vicky said “Being an entrepreneur is something you have to do yourself but you can’t do it without an amazing team and I have an amazing team. We’ve been finalists before and now it’s great to be recognised for what you do”.

Launched in September at the Brit Oval the awards provide a showcase for businesses ranging from one-person operations to companies employing hundreds of people; from firms whose clients are drawn from the local community to those with international customers.

Barry White, Regional Director, Business & Commercial Banking for South London commented “We have a long established history of working with local businesses in the region and we get to see many successful companies that are thriving despite the challenging times we are all working in. It’s great to see these achievements being recognised at the South London Business Awards and we have enjoyed being involved in celebrating this business success. Well done to everyone that was shortlisted.”

Christopher Wright, Learning and Skills Councils Local Area Director for London Central and South said “It’s always been the case that businesses need the right people with the right skills to stay competitive. But faced with the current economic downturn, investing in skills has never been more important. It’s people with the experience and skills to innovate and keep customers happy who help a business survive. They’re also the people who make sure a company can take advantage of opportunities when we turn the corner. That’s why it’s been so encouraging to see employers in South London making such a commitment to skills by running some highly effective programmes that are having a direct impact on their organisation. Well done to all those who entered.”

The Awards were sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, supported by the Learning and Skills Council, solicitors Thackray Williams LLP, Tentacle Design, business to business specialists Ixion Holdings Ltd, transport organisations SWELTRAC and SELTRANS, the South London Export Club, Feelfit.com and the Guardian/News Shopper as media partner.

The results of the twelve categories are as follows:

Business of the Year 2009 – sponsored by RBS
Winner - Z-Card Ltd
Highly Commended – Henry Riley LLP
Highly Commended – Rowland Brothers

Best Small Sized Business – sponsored by Tentacle
Winner - Quay Assessment Training
Highly Commended - Resonant Media
Highly Commended - Teachsport
Alchemy Events
Samuel Estates
Wauton Samuel & Co Ltd

Best Medium Sized Business – sponsored by Thackray Williams LLP
Winner - Eddie Catz Ltd
Highly Commended - dotMailer
Highly Commended - Rowland Brothers
Highly Commended - Z-Card Ltd
Fusion Glass
ITRM Ltd

Best Large Business – sponsored by RBS
Winner - ITC Concepts
Highly Commended - Mott MacDonald
AEG Europe
MWB Business Exchange
Solar Century
Westmead Business Group

Best Business for Customer Service – sponsored by Guardian / News Shopper
Winner - CCHA Ltd
Highly Commended - Pimlico Plumbers
Highly Commended - All Areas Security Ltd
Francis Townsend & Hayward
The Circle Podiatry Practice
Henry Riley LLP

Best Business for Innovation - sponsored by Feelfit
Winner - TrueCall
Highly Commended - Cableduct Ltd
Highly Commended - Proper Oils
Devereux Architects
Fusion Glass Designs Ltd
Vuture

Best Business for International Trade – sponsored by South London Export Club
Winner - MSE (UK) Ltd
Highly Commended - Mott MacDonald
Highly Commended - Rowland Brothers
Plastico Limited
Z-Card Ltd.

Best Business For Training & Development – sponsored by the LSC
Winner - Crystal Palace Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre
Highly Commended - Fusion Glass Designs Ltd
Highly Commended - Henry Riley LLP
Credit Solutions Ltd
Macpro
Twin Group

Best Business for Marketing – sponsored by RBS
Winner - Z-Card Ltd
Highly Commended - Horniman Museum & Gardens
Highly Commended - Warren House
Henry Riley LLP
Little Yellow Duck
Westmead Business Group

Best Business for Sustainability – sponsored by SELTRANS and SWELTRAC
Winner - Chequers Contract Services Ltd
Highly Commended - Solar Century
Highly Commended - Aztec
First Impressions
ITC Concepts
Nestle UK

Best New Business – sponsored by Ixion
Winner - A Suit That Fits.com
Highly Commended - Eco Actif Services
Highly Commended - Schmidt’s
Gravity Guide
Greenwich Communication Centre (UK) Ltd
Le Cassoulet

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by South London Business
Winner – Vicky Stothard, Independent mindbodysoul Ltd
Highly Commended – Danny Puresh, DP Consulting Ltd
Highly Commended – Jeanette Pritchard, JP Creative
Highly Commended – Malcolm John, Le Cassoulet
Claire Morton, Alchemy Events
Lisa Newton