New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards 2024
For 19 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 - sponsored by Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa - is selected from the winners of the individual categories.
This year's Awards are sponsored by Parker Bullen Solicitors.
2024 Brilliance in Business Award Categories
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:
Refresh Strategic Services
The Totton 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:
Evolution4Business
The NFU Mutual New Forest 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:
New Milton Sand and Ballast
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:
HPW Architecture
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:
Ewelina's Home Pantry
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:
Furzey Gardens
The University of Southampton Business School 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:
Angie Beeston - Evolution4Business
The New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for the Best New Business
For businesses created since 1 October 2022 that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show significant product/service development and leadership within their sector or industry.
Award winner:
Camping in the New Forest
The New Forest District Council Award for Best 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:
FLYTE Creative Media
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:
Impress Travel
The Wessex Optical Award for Young Person in Business
For an individual aged under 30 years on 1 October 2024 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:
Georgia Blacknell - Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
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:
New Forest Escapes
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 Hamper Company
The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times Award for Best 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 2024.
Award winner:
Oakhaven
The New Milton Sand and Ballast 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:
Rob Dewing - Northerwood Systems
The Forest Foot and Health Clinic & New Milton Foot 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:
SPUD
The ViewHR 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 completed since 1 October 2023 a qualification at NVQ Level 2 or higher.
Award winner:
Oli Rickard - Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour
The Escape Yachting 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:
Sanders Sails
The Chewton Glen Award for New Forest Business of the Year
Awarded to one of the winners of the categories above, recognising the business which best represents brilliance in business in the New Forest this year.
Award winner:
New Forest Escapes
