Portsmouth Guildhall buzzed with anticipation on Friday, February 23 as businesses, big and small, came out to celebrate and hoped to bag a prize in one of the award categories. This is the 24th year that The News has held the Business Excellence Awards but its importance in shining a light on local businesses has only grown stronger.
The News publishing editor Mark Waldron began the evenings proceedings. He said: "Tonight is an opportunity for all of us to come together and enjoy what a fantastic place Portsmouth and the region is to do business. Our awards bring the curtain down on what has been another incredible Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week. For me, I’ve had the pleasure of starting each day with the breakfast briefing filmed live each day from the Queen’s Hotel in Southsea.
"We have had an incredible panel of guests each day to talk about their involvement in the week and why it is so important to them.
"You are all winners tonight. Yes, someone will take home the top prize in each category but to have got this far shows you are doing some amazing things."
Here are 39 fantastic pictures of people enjoying the event:
1. The News Business Excellence Awards
Pictured is: All the winners celebrate their win at the News Business Excellence Awards Picture: Keith Woodland (230221-161) Photo: Keith Woodland
2. The News Business Excellence Awards
The News Business Excellence awards took place at Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, February 23, 2024. Picture: Sarah Standing (230224-7420) Photo: Sarah Standing
3. The News Business Excellence
The News Business Excellence awards took place at Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, February 23, 2024. Pictured is: Guests from Fair Ways. Picture: Sarah Standing Photo: Sarah Standing
4. The News Business Excellence
The News Business Excellence awards took place at Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, February 23, 2024. Pictured is: Rachna Amin and Samir Amin from King Orange. Picture: Sarah Standing Photo: Sarah Standing