Award Winners 2023
For 18 years, we have hosted the New Forest’s local business awards because we believe it is vitally important that we acknowledge and celebrate individuals and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievements within their business sector or specialist area.
There are 18 award categories covering all areas of achievement within local business. The overall New Forest Business of the Year is selected from the winners of the individual categories.
This year's Awards sponsored by Southampton Business School at the University of Southampton took place on 30 November.
Congratulations to our 2023 Brilliance in Business Award Winners
The Forest Foodie Award for Outstanding Customer Care
For businesses which recognise the importance of the customer in growing their business and can demonstrate how analysis and response to ‘customer needs’ have assisted in developing a growing business.
Award winner:
Herbert William
The Solent University Award for Innovation
For businesses which successfully apply any form of innovation in the way they do business, the way they work with their people or customers, or in product and service development. The winner will demonstrate that innovation is not just about invention – it can be about processes, people, ways of working, products or digital solutions.
Award winner:
Triangle
The Balmer Lawn Hotel Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Visitor Economy
For businesses which lead the way in providing high quality New Forest visitor experiences, which protect and enhance the local environment, benefit residents and support the local economy.
Award winner:
St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery
The Scott Bailey Award for Professional Services
For businesses that demonstrate excellence in their sector and are innovative in their approach to the services they provide. The winner will show how they have met the changing demands of their clients while keeping their own practices on track under the most trying of circumstances.
Award winner:
Cloud Eleven Accountants
The Escape Yachting Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
Focusing on the contribution of a dynamic, creative and visionary leader, this award recognises an enterprising individual who has steered their business to success through a culture of innovation, resilience, a dedication to being the best and an ethos of inspiring others.
Award winner:
Zabir Ali - Wessex Optical
The Simpson Hilder Associates Award for Personal Achievement
For an outstanding individual within the New Forest business community who is recognized throughout the New Forest as having made an outstanding contribution to the local economy in his or her area of activity.
Award winner:
James Hiley-Jones - Greenclose Hotels
The New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for the Best New Business
For businesses created since 1 October 2021 that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show significant product/service development and leadership within their sector or industry.
Award winner:
The Brew Forest
The Hampshire County Council Award for Contribution to the New Forest Community
For businesses which recognise the importance of a real commitment to the local community. The winner will demonstrate tangible impact and clear results in Corporate Social Responsibility or community impact that is ingrained into the way they do business.
Award winner:
Harvest Fine Foods
The Brockenhurst College Award for Training and Development
For businesses that offer outstanding opportunities to their employees including training, career development and mentoring. The winner will show how this investment in people and skills has allowed the business to enhance their performance while showing commitment to their people.
Award winner:
Scott Bailey
The Southampton Business School Award for Young Person in Business
For an individual aged under 30 years on 1 October 2023 who has made a significant contribution to their business. The winner will demonstrate how they have brought creative ideas and progress to the business through their continued learning and development within the role.
Award winner:
Tom Simpson - 820 Spirits
The New Forest Marque Award for Food and Drink
For businesses which demonstrate the growing importance of the local food and drink sector and celebrate the very best in food and drink production in the New Forest. The winner could come from any part of the industry – a grower, producer, chef, restaurant, accommodation provider, retailer, educator or local food and drink champion.
Award winner:
Beaky Blinders
The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times Award for Best New Forest Charity/Social Enterprise/Community Interest Company
For not for profit organisations which have a base in the New Forest and have been operating for more than 1 year on 1 October 2023.
Award winner:
Olivia Inspires
The New Forest National Park Authority Award for Sustainable Business of the Year
For businesses that understand their responsibility to drive environmental improvements within their industry, creating a greener, more sustainable product or service. The winner will be operating in the sustainability sector or have made significant changes to their business to support the New Forest environment.
Award winner:
Vida Promotions
The New Forest District Council Award for Best New Forest Micro Business
For businesses with fewer than 5 employees which are demonstrating both sustainable growth in revenue and a product or service that is standing tall amongst their competitors.
Award winner:
The Cloth Fox
The Fordingbridge Print Award for Business Growth
For businesses that can demonstrate a clear business growth strategy that has taken their business to the next level. The winner could be entering new markets, developing new product or services, or investing in people with the right skills to transform growth.
Award winner:
New Forest Academy of Dance
The Royal Lymington Yacht Club Award for Marine and Maritime
For businesses that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability in this key sector in the New Forest economy.
Award winner:
Optima Yachts
The Forest Foot and Health Clinic Award for Health and Wellbeing
For businesses that recognise the importance of creating an environment where health and wellbeing is of the highest priority. The winner will be providing health and wellbeing services and solutions within their own business or to other businesses and the public.
Award winner:
Gentlemen's League
The Country Inns Award for Apprentice of the Year
For an apprentice in a New Forest business who can demonstrate their achievements, contribution and the impact they have made within the organisation they work. To enter this category, you must either be currently working towards or have competed since 1 October 2022 a qualification at NVQ Level 2 or higher.
Award winner:
Kamron Flaxman - Woodland h at Hoburne Bashley
New Forest Business of the Year - sponsored by Solent Partners
The winner of Business of the Year in this years Brilliance in Business Awards is:
Scott Bailey
