Brilliance in Business Award Winners 2019
Over 150 business representatives gathered to celebrate the success of local business at the fourteenth annual New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards on Thursday 28 November 2019 at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
Back(L-R): Tim Wookey (Amamus Ltd); Richard Hull (Giftpro); Michael Clitheroe (Balmer Lawn Hotel); Jeremy Whitworth (Montagu Arms Hotel) Chris Abell-Parker (Clearview Aerials);
Front (L-R): Domine Nowell (Lighthouse Marketing/Dogstival) Debbie Hulme (The New Home of Interiors); Debbie Mulkern (New Forest Aromatics); Adie Callaghan (The New Forest Hamper Company); Clare Johnson (The Gourmet Grocer)
Matthew Lawson, Chairman of the New Forest Business Partnership, welcomed New Forest businesses, local decision-makers and sponsors to celebrate the success of the 30 finalists and gave an encouraging and positive review of the growing New Forest economy. “This very special event, at an exciting new venue, is all about celebrating the stories and successes of the 9000 businesses in the New Forest. With a record number of entries this year, I congratulate everyone who was nominated and shortlisted and especially our winners, together with those that help them start, run, grow and succeed. This evening, we celebrate together and we will all be inspired, encouraged and informed by the successes of our impressive finalists.”
Ten businesses won awards, but it was Brockenhurst-based Balmer Lawn Hotel who won the prestigious New Forest Business of the Year award, as well as the Training and Development award. The hotel demonstrated ambitious growth plans whilst recognising the value of developing and nurturing staff talent to achieve this.
Michael Clitheroe , General Manager of the Balmer Lawn Hotel said “The hotel has undergone a huge transformation over the last 5 years both as a local and regional business and fantastic industry leading employer. I’m very proud to receive this award in recognition of an incredible team’s achievement.”
Matt Callaghan, Economic Development Manager at New Forest District Council, said “These awards demonstrate that there is so much to celebrate and be positive about doing business here in the New Forest. We have seen that the District is home to businesses and individuals leading the way nationally and internationally in their individual fields”.
This year’s new venue of the National Motor Museum enabled a larger scale event with additional guests and two new awards. Guests enjoyed a networking supper amongst the exhibits in the Motor Museum following the presentation of awards in the John Montagu Theatre Building.
The 2019 Brilliance in Business Award Winners are as follows:
49 Award for Entrepreneurship
Finalists
Adie Callaghan (New Forest Hamper Company / Appetite for Adventure)
Michael Clitheroe (Balmer Lawn Hotel)
Winner
Tim Wookey (Amamus Ltd)
Pictured (L-R): Paul Sherry (49); Binny Wookey; Tim Wookey (Amamus Ltd); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
Eric Robinson Award for Young Person in Business
Finalists
Blake Khalaf (Crest Investments)
Tom Sofikits (spudWORKS)
Winner
Jeremy Whitworth (Montagu Arms Hotel)
Pictured (L-R): David Lawrence (Eric Robinson Solicitors); Jeremy Whitworth (Montagu Arms Hotel); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
ExxonMobil Award for Innovation
Finalists
Family Rule
Gifted to You
Winner
Giftpro
Pictured (L-R): Alison Jones (ExxonMobil); Richard Hull (Giftpro); Will Howard (Giftpro); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
Go New Forest Award for Visitor Economy
Finalists
Hoburne Bashley
Velvet Pictures
Winner
Lighthouse Marketing/Dogstival
Back(L-R): Anthony Climpson (Go New Forest); Richard Nowell (Lighthouse Marketing);
Front(L-R): Amy Grealish; Domine Nowell; Kristine Hatch (Lighthouse Marketing); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
Hampshire County Council Award for Contribution to the New Forest Community
Finalists
Brockenhurst College
Everton Stores and Post Office
Winner
The Gourmet Grocer
Pictured (L-R): Andrea McCallum (Hampshire County Council); Clare Johnson; Gareth Johnson (The Gourmet Grocer); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
New Forest District Council Award for Customer Care
Finalists
New Forest Activities
Purple Dog
Winner
Clearview Aerials
Pictured (L-R): Bob Jackson (New Forest District Council); Denise Abell-Parker; Chris Abell-Parker (Clearview Aerials Ltd); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for Best New Business
Winner
Home of Interiors
Pictured (L-R): David Robberts (New Forest Enterprise Centre); Debbie Hulme (The Home of Interiors); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
New Forest Marque Award for Food and Drink
Finalists
Beachcomber Gin
The Solent Cellar
Winner
The New Forest Hamper Company
Pictured (L-R): Dan Parsons (New Forest Marque); Adie Callaghan; Jason Plevey (The New Forest Hamper Company); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
New Forest National Park Award for Contribution to the National Park
Finalists
Brockenhurst College
New Forest Activities
Winner
New Forest Aromatics
Pictured (L-R): Alison Barnes (New Forest National Park Authority); Debbie Mulkern; Georgia Duddridge (New Forest Aromatics); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
Totton College Award for Training and Development
Finalists
Master Builder’s House Hotel
New Forest Activities
Winner
Balmer Lawn Hotel
Pictured (L-R): Debra McDermott (Totton College); Alison Wilson; Michael Clitheroe; Chris Wilson (Balmer Lawn Hotel); Matthew Lawson (Chairman of NFBP);
The NFBP Business of the Year sponsored by Solent Local Enterprise Partnership
Balmer Lawn Hotel (Brockenhurst)
Thanks to NFBP member Dave Dodge photography for capturing the images on the night. You can find more about Dave and his work at www.davedodgephotography.co.uk
A list of all previous Brilliance in Business Award winners can be found here