Carpenters chisel win for little guys
For businesses which fit all the criteria for Business of the Year, but have only a small number of staff, the Small Business of the Year offered a chance to shine.
Defying a crumbling construction sector, one firm impressed judges with clear demonstration of how it has grown, and how it is shaping up for the future.
In 2006, Solent Carpentry Services had a turnover of 212,000, but by 2008, the firm's 12 staff had grown this to an estimated 650,000, and garnered a strong book of orders for the coming year.
Adam Gaylor, Solent Carpentry Services' co-founder, said: 'I'm surprised, obviously. We're a carpentry firm, but we build as well.
'We do a lot of work for Hampshire County Council and that's why our accountant said put your name in, but we didn't honestly expect to win.
'We didn't even expect to get through to the finals, because we're a carpentry firm, and it just doesn't sound right, does it?'
Despite a flagging leisure marine market, as disposable income dwindles, one marina operator with big ideas was continuing to feel the wind in its sails.
Thornham Marina, which has links to the Trafalgar Wharf redevelopment in Portchester, showed an inventive and determined commitment to improving the marina's facilities.
It was paying dividends, rewarding them with steady growth – and this year's runner-up title.
Representing the marina, mysteriously shoe-less director Jeanette Critchell, said: 'How do I feel? Absolutely fantastic. When I got the email through for Small Business of the Year, I thought we've done so much this last year and I wanted to let everybody know.'
The highly commended award went to a firm which gained national recognition for its aggressive growth, turning up at the number three spot in The Times' Tech Track 100 of fastest growing firms.
So strong was its growth and so impressive its balance sheet, that the firm achieved the unique feat of also making the shortlist for the Business of the Year category.
Netbasic began with a staff of seven, and now has 14, specialising in running trustworthy, online price comparison websites.
In just four years, turnover has gone from less than 250,000 to almost 10m.
But director Luke Ashworth was not there to receive the award – as a token of appreciation for his staff's work, he had taken them on a holiday to France.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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