New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards
For 20 years, we have hosted the New Forest’s local business awards to celebrate individuals and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievements within their business sector or specialist area.
There are many different 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.
2025 Brilliance in Business Awards
The 2025 New Forest Business Partnership Brilliance in Business Awards took place on 4 December 2025. The winners in each of the award categories are listed below.
Woodlands Financial Planning Award for Professional Services
For businesses that demonstrate excellence 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.
Award winner:
New Park Consultancy
Land agents and Chartered Surveyors providing advice on a broad range of rural property matters including grant funding, planning applications, valuations and tenancies.
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:
Fortune College
Specialist further education college for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) developing essential life skills through therapeutic work with horses.
Wessex Internet 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:
Hockeys Farm Shop
Family run farm with farm shop and cafe providing high quality local products sustainably and with excellent service, supporting the community, charities and local producers.
Cloud Eleven Accountants 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:
Silclear
Manufacturer of silicone tubing, mouldings and components for sectors including dairy, food and drink and pharmaceuticals. Producer of the world's first food grade recycled silicone compound.
The Forest Foodie 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:
Balmer Lawn Hotel
Family-run hotel at the heart of the New Forest with spa and 2 AA Rosette restaurant celebrating the flavours of the region with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Whether welcoming business guests looking for a space to connect or families seeking a nature filled escape, we offer a warm inclusive environment rooted in genuine hospitality.
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:
New Forest Show
One of the largest and most prestigious agricultural events in the UK with livestock competitions, equestrian events, forest activities, local food and drink stalls and educational exhibits.
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:
Emily Beck - The Build Purser
Bridging a critical gap in the yacht construction process, bringing our insight of the pressures and complexities of new builds to align the owner's vision with project teams and crew through clear financial systems, operational structure and cultural foundations
New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for the Best New Business
For businesses created since 1 October 2023 that have exceeded their initial targets for growth and already show significant product/service development and leadership within their sector or industry.
Award winner:
Moorhill House Hotel
A charming countryside retreat surrounded by ancient woodland and picturesque walking trails combining classic English character with modern comfort.
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:
Small Cars Direct
Proudly local, trusted nationwide, we redefine the used car buying experience, making car buying simple and stress free with video tours, honest descriptions and next day nation-wide delivery.
Moore Barlow 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:
Southern Solutions
Exceptional IT solutions delivered with unrivalled customer care to help businesses use technology to grow and operate more efficiently and avoid cybersecurity threats.
New Milton Sand and Ballast Award for Young Person in Business
For an individual aged under 30 years on 1 October 2025 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:
Samuel Blick - Wessex Optical
Proudly delivering exellence in eyecare with a personal touch, Wessex Optical operates a collection of successful Boots Opticians franchises across the South of England. Each practice combines the latest technology with a warm, community-driven approach.
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:
MeadowSweet Posies
Beautifully crafted seasonal flower posies made exclusively from British-grown flowers, not only supporting local growers, but also reducing the environmental impact associated with global supply chains.
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:
Diamond Accounting
Diamond grade A support for your business. Providing accountancy, payroll and business development, specialising in the hospitality sector to keep you compliant with HMRC, save costs and make your establishment a roaring success.
The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times Award for Charity of the Year
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 2025.
Award winner:
New Milton Youth Trust
At the heart of our community empowering children, young people and families to believe in their potential and create lasting change. We bring people together, share ideas, find solutions and take actions that make our community a place where everyone can thrive.
Parker Bullen 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:
Alison Wilson - Balmer Lawn Hotel
Alison together with her husband Chris has transformed a modest three star establishment into a prestigious four star destination renowned for its award winning Beresford's Restaurant. The hotel has become one of the New Forest's leading venues.
Alison also serves as a director of Go New Forest and trustee of Love the Forest, playing a pivotal role in promoting sustainable touris and conservation across the region.
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:
Tilefield Equestrian
Leading the way in ethical, evidence based horsemanship and a wide range of learning and wellbeing activities for riders and non-riders alike. Tilefield offers innovative equine training and rehabilitiation programmes.
Wessex Optical 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 2024 a qualification at NVQ Level 2 or higher.
Award winner:
Ellie Strange - The Inspiration Agency
Ellie recently completed her apprenticeship while working as a Marketing Assistant at Inspiration Agency where she has made a real impact by improving processes, supporting client projects and turning analytics into actionable insights.
Scott Bailey 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:
Electric Outboard
Leading the shift away from polluting petrol and diesel engines to cleaner, quieter electic alternatives using motor and battery technologies backed up with thorough testing to deliver the right solution for customers every itime.
Award for Independent Retailer of the Year
For businesses that excel in customer service, community engagement and business innovation, highlighting the vital role those businesses play in our local economy and vibrant high streets.
Award winner:
Perfumery & Co
Perfume and beauty stores in Lymington and Ringwood offering a luxurious escape where nature's tranquility meets timeless elegance. Our team's expertise and passion ensures that each customer receives personal attention.
The New Park Manor Hotel 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:
Hockey's Farm
