Shortlist revealed for Chamber’s Welsh Business Awards
Thirty-six businesses across Wales are set to fight it out to win a coveted Welsh Business Award 2015, organised by the South Wales Chamber of Commerce.
Swansea-based microbrewery Boss Brewing Limited, Carmarthenshire-based LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, Newport-based manufacturer SPTS Technologies and Arriva Trains Wales are currently leading the nominations, having all been shortlisted in two or more categories.
The awards aim to recognise the achievements of well-established businesses as well as newcomers in the market, across a variety of sectors. Finalists range from the internationally-renowned The Celtic Manor Resort, to smaller companies such as Pedalcover, a cyclist insurance company set up in 2014, and Mrs Bucket Cleaning Services, founded by Swansea-based businesswoman, Rachel Flanagan, at the age of 18.
In its fourteenth consecutive year, the Welsh Business Awards, sponsored by the University of South Wales, will take place on Thursday 25 February at the National Museum of Wales. The event will be hosted by former Blue Peter presenter, TV host Gethin Jones.
Keith Palmer, chief executive of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Awards celebrate the very best of business in Wales and provide an opportunity to showcase their work, services and products, all of which are contributing to a growing Welsh economy.
“The Awards are a really significant date in our calendar year as we believe it is vital to recognise the achievements of Wales’ leading businesses and, as a Chamber, we will continue to actively support all entrants as they look to further expand their business, both inside and outside of the UK’s borders.”
At last year’s ceremony, Invertek Drives Ltd won the International Business Experienced prize and was named Welsh Company of the Year, chosen from the winner of all 10 of the categories. The company designs and manufactures variable speed frequency drives for the control of electronic motors, and sells its products in 80 countries worldwide.
Reflecting on the company’s success, Tony Cox, sales manager at Invertek Drives, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be named as the Welsh Company of the Year last year. It was a boost for the whole company to have this acknowledgement of our high standards of service.
“We have heavily invested in our facilities in Welshpool to help accommodate our growth and it was great to have this recognised by the Chamber. We strive to bring both economic benefits and skilled jobs to the communities in which we operate and contribute our bit to a vibrant Welsh economy.”
Tom Chapman, Head of the Business School at the University of South Wales, said: “USW is delighted to be supporting the Welsh Business Awards again this year. As a University founded by industry and the professions for the needs of employers, we’ve always nurtured some of the very best Welsh business talent and we’re proud to play our role with the business community in these awards.”
The winners of each category can progress through to the British Chamber of Commerce Awards when entries open in the spring, where they will be in with a chance to win a share of £50,000.
The full shortlist for the 2015 Welsh Business Awards:
Commitment to Customer Service, sponsored by Centurion VAT
- Guide Dogs Cymru – Cardiff
- Happus – Caerphilly
- Quantum Advisory – Cardiff
- Giltar Hotel – Pembrokeshire
Commitment to Skills and People Development
- The Celtic Manor Resort – Newport
- Diamondpak Ltd – Pontypool
- Convey Law – Newport
- LBS Builders’ Merchants – Carmarthenshire
Excellence in Environmental Management, sponsored by Crystal Group
- SPTS Technologies Ltd – Newport
- Connect Assist Ltd – Cardiff
- Eurobond Laminates Ltd – Cardiff
- Polytrack UK Ltd – Caerphilly
Excellence in Marketing and Communications
- Swansea Business Improvement District Ltd (BID) – Swansea
- jamjar PR Limited – Cowbridge
- Effective Communication – Cardiff
- Arriva Trains Wales – Cardiff
Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by Freshwater
- Datakom – Bridgend
- SPTS Technologies Ltd – Newport
- Sharp Clinical Services – Powys
- LBS Builders Merchants Ltd – Carmarthenshire
Start-up Businesses of the Year, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland
- Maxx Securities T/A Cardiff Safe Deposit – Cardiff
- Pedalcover Limited – Vale of Glamorgan
- Montgomeryshire Homes Ltd – Powys
- Boss Brewing Company Ltd – Swansea
Success through Innovation, sponsored by Port of Milford Haven
- AMAC Engineering Ltd – Carmarthenshire
- New Vehicle Solutions Limited – Bridgend
- Genesis Biosciences Ltd – Cardiff
- Yard – Cardiff
- Arriva Trains Wales – Cardiff
Success through Overseas Trade, sponsored by Atradius
- Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd – Burry Port
- Welsh Hills Bakery – Aberdare
- Spear Europe Ltd – Cwmbran
Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Western Power Distribution
- Mrs Bucket Cleaning Services – Swansea
- Whitehead-Ross Education and Consulting Ltd – Skewen
- UniGreenScheme – Cwmbran
- Boss Brewing Company Ltd – Swansea
Excellence in Community Relations, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland
- Arriva Trains Wales – Cardiff
- TSW training – Bridgend
- Port of Milford Haven – Pembrokeshire
- Haines and Lewis Solicitors – Pembrokeshire
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