Business Excellence Awards 2021: Awards seek to honour best place to work in Hampshire

HSDC, a further and higher education college that has campuses in Havant, Crookhorn and Alton, has sponsored the Employer of the Year award at this year’s hotly anticipated Business Excellence Awards

The awards, set to take place on July 8 at Portsmouth Guildhall, will see 15 winners take home titles recognising the best in business in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

Aaron Butson, assistant principal at HSDC, said the awards were a perfect fit as it has been delivering training for more than 40 years.

He said: ‘We are passionate about supporting local businesses. Trusted by employers large and small, HSDC works with businesses to identify their training needs and deliver flexible, high quality training programmes, with high levels of employer and learner satisfaction.

‘We currently have more than 400 students on apprenticeship programmes. We have developed relationships with over 2,000 employers to ensure our students get much-needed work experience as well as apprenticeship vacancies.

‘People are at the centre of what we do at HSDC, with students and staff at the very heart.

‘HSDC employs over 850 staff who are passionate about helping learners realise their dreams and potential.

‘Our staff’s values help shape our open and supportive culture, harnessing the talents and ideas of both staff and students and inspiring innovation.

‘These awards are a great opportunity to recognise the amazing impact a successful business has on the local community.

‘We are delighted to sponsor the Employer of the Year award as we understand the importance of the elements which contribute to being a good employer.

‘We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. Having the opportunity to meet with businesses from a variety of sectors who share the same underlying values will be truly inspiring and it is an honour to sponsor this award.’

SEE ALSO: The News Business Excellence Awards 2020 - full list of winners

Pat Smith, from lead sponsor the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘HSDC is a college that has a great track record of employer engagement across Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

‘Their monthly business breakfast always draws a wide variety of business representatives, many of whom are surely suitable candidates for this award. I encourage any business, large or small, who can evidence what makes them a worthy winner of this category, to enter.’

The awards are free to enter. For more go to portsmouthbusinessexcellence.co.uk/

Awards recognise best businesses in region

The News is proud to launch the 2021 Business Excellence Awards.

These awards recognise a cross section of businesses and the vital role they play in the success of the region.

The awards ceremony will take place on July 8 at the Portsmouth Guildhall and will be attended by more than 300 guests, as well as being live streamed.

For more information go to portsmouthbusinessexcellence.co.uk or e-mail Richard Thompson, group events director, on [email protected] or call 07385 348816

This year's categories:

Small Business of the Year

Medium Business of the Year (Sponsored by Citrus IT Support)

Large Business of the Year

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by the University of Portsmouth)

Start up Business of the Year

International Business of the Year

Employer of the Year (Sponsored by HSDC)

Leisure, Retail & Tourism Business of the Year

Training Programme of the Year

Company CSR Initiative of the Year (Sponsored by BAE Systems)

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year (Sponsored by Portsmouth College)

Entrepreneur of the Year

Sustainable Business Award (Sponsored by Portsmouth Water)

Lifetime Achievement Award

Overall Business of the Year (Sponsored by Verisona Law)