Winners meet up to share success stories

An event was held at South Downs College in Havant to celebrate the success of firms that won accolades in the 17th annual Business Excellence Awards, run by The News.

Yesterday award winners were able to meet up again and network over a lunch at the college.

Lucy Grey, from lead sponsor law firm Trethowans, said: ‘The awards were brilliant.

‘The purpose of the lunch was to get everyone back together and to finish to the event. We thought by bringing everyone back together again then it was a perfect opportunity for networking.’

Editor of The News Mark Waldron was also at the event.

He said: ‘We love with a passion the Business Excellence Awards.

‘It was a fantastic evening. I have been involved with the awards for 10 years and it is always a good night but this year it felt more special.

‘It was down to the organisers, the sponsors, and there was such a great spread of entries and some very deserving winners – all showing the strength and breadth of business in our area.’

Mark Viccars, managing director of Digi Toolbox in Fareham, which won the award for Employer of the Year, said: ‘It was nice to take the award back to our clients and talk to them about winning. It was the first time we had entered so we were massively pleased to win and will certainly be entering again next year.’

Anthony Dimmick, from Barratt Homes, which won the Community Contribution Award for its community centre project in Denvilles, Havant, said the award had proved inspirational.

He said: ‘These awards show that what we are doing actually means something.’

All the winners from the awards, which took place at Portsmouth Guildhall on February 10, have been automatically entered into the JP South Awards, which take place in Brighton on October 6. The Business Excellence Awards 2018 will be launched in The News in September.