'A truly great Hampshire success story': Portchester firm named county's top business

ASV Global has become the first winner of the Hampshire Business of the Year Award, given out by Hampshire County Council.

The firm has designed and built more than 80 vessels which are deployed across the world to help service oil and gas, and aid the defence and scientific sectors.

The award was created by outgoing county council chairman Keith Chapman when he took up the role in May last year.

He said: ‘ASV Global is a truly great Hampshire success story.

‘In seven years, it has grown from a start up with just two people to achieve recognition as a world leader in maritime autonomous service vehicles.

‘Businesses such as ASV Global underpin not only the prosperity of the Hampshire economy but also support the significant contribution this part of the country makes to the national economy.

‘Supporting business and creating the right environment for industry to flourish are key to Hampshire’s prosperity, and I wish ASV Global all the very best for continued success in the future.’

Mr Chapman presented the award to the company’s managing director Dan Hook at a county council meeting last Thursday.

Mr Hook said: ‘This is a real boost for ASV and our staff, being selected from the many successful businesses in the county and recognised this way.’

Last year ASV achieved a 93 per cent increase in turnover and created 22 new jobs.

The company, based on the Murrills Estate in Southampton Road, was selected from a final shortlist of four.

Other businesses selected included Petersfield-based Feefo, which has developed an independent customer review system used by the likes of Expedia and TM Lewin.