CONFECTIONERY giant Nestlé triumphed at The Press Business Awards tonight, winning both Large Business Of The Year and being named The Press’s Overall Business Of The Year.
The prized awards were handed over at a glittering black tie event in front of an audience of about 300 people at The Press’s largest ever awards ceremony, held in the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse.
Judges said they were impressed by the scale of Nestlé’s commitment to the city, its investment in putting York at the forefront of development in the industry with its new Customer Insight and Learning Centre and expanded Product Technology Centre.
They said: “As a world leader in confectionery and food, Nestlé carries the name of York around the globe. Its leading brands - Kit Kat, Aero and Polo - are household names the world over.”
The manufacturer, which employs 1,800 in York, was also shortlisted for Think Green Business Of The Year. But this award went to Rosewood Farms, a producer based on ethical and green farming traditions, who showed a sustained commitment to the environment and considered all aspects of the business and supply chain.
ITV presenter, Kate Walby, Master of Ceremonies for the event, proudly announced extra good news for the winner of the Tourism and Hospitality Business Of The Year. Chosen by the judges for its commitment to the tiniest details in its bid to become York’s first five-star hotel, The Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa celebrated doubly hard as Kate announced the hotel had finally achieved the status.
Angela Langton, founder of Bellezza Academy was invited by The Press to return to the stage to talk about her emotional success winning Women in Enterprise and Overall Press Business Of The Year 2010 at last year’s event. Inspiring Angela, who continues to help young girls in Bridlington into employment, was also awarded the new Best Business and Community Link award.
Quartz Travel bagged the Small Business Of The Year award, the most entered accolade of The Press Business Awards, fending off competition from 50 other entrants this year. The Business Personality of the Year award went to Shaun Watts, owner of Chameleon Business Interiors for his work as former president of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and with the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.
Ashley Mason, 20, who was also shortlisted for the same award last year, went home with the Young Business Entrepreneur Of The Year title for his success with growing independent ambulance service YorMed.
Don’t miss The Press Business Awards souvenir supplement on Tuesday for more pictures and information on the winners and prestigious ceremony.
The full list of winners and finalists:
Small Business Of The Year
Winner: Quartz Travel
Finalists: Xing, Dragonfly Consulting
Business Personality of the Year
Winner: Shaun Watts
Finalists: Annie Stirk, Di Burton
Family Business Of The Year
Winner: Ye Olde Pie and Sausage Shoppe
Finalists: Mario’s Restaurant
Think Green Business Of The Year
Winner: Rosewood Farms
Finalists: Stillingfleet Lodge Nurseries, Nestlé
Best Business and Higher Education Link
Winner: New School House Gallery
Finalists: PureNet, Ride Yorkshire
Young Business Entrepreneur Of The Year
Winner: Ashley Mason, YorMed
Finalists: Henry Richardson, Your Marquee, Ella Gascoigne, Startup PR
Science and Technology Business Of The Year
Winner: PureNet
Finalists: Brilliant Living and Lighting, Designition
Best Business and Community Link
Winner: Bellezza Academy
Finalists: Aviva, Inspire 2 Independence (Training) Ltd
Special Achievement In Business Award
Winner: Ron Godfrey, former business editor of The Press
Retailer of the Year
Winner: MOR Music
Finalists: Riverford Organic, CycleStreet (York)
Tourism & Hospitality Business Of the Year
Winner: Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa
Finalists: Yorkshire Air Museum, York Racecourse Hospitality
Best Employer and Education Link
Winner: Willmott Dixon Partnerships
Finalists: BAM Construction, Portakabin Ltd
Women in Enterprise
Winner: Jane Middlebrook, Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries
Finalists: Lesley Buxton, Yorvale, Di Burton, Cicada Communications
New Business Of The Year
Winner: CycleStreet (York)
Finalists: The Yorkshire Pantry, Ride Yorkshire
Large Business Of The Year
Winner: Nestlé
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Professor Brian Cantor, Vice Chancellor, University of York
Overall Press Business Of The Year 2011
Winner: Nestlé
Proof of excellence
If any proof was needed of York’s determination to brand itself as a city of business excellence, it could be found in abundance last night at The Press Business Awards.
It was the event’s 21st anniversary and was celebrated in some style with more than 300 guests applauding a diverse range of companies, proving that success is possible despite the economic downturn. The event was all the more special as it was one of more than 40 events and conferences taking place as part of York Business Week.
York's reputation as a city of innovation and enterprise is growing and we toast all our award winners for their contribution to that reputation.
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