Winners of the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards 2015

 

The Lloyds Bank Excellence in Business

Tim Hinton, Managing Director, Mid Markets and SME Banking, Lloyds Banking Group said:

“Huge congratulations to Tony on winning this award which recognises his achievements in building Berkeley into one of the UK’s biggest house builders. Tony is a leading figure within the industry and has steered the group through some significant challenges. The fact that he was nominated by the business community, rather than being picked by a panel of judges, makes it all the more special and acknowledges his exceptional leadership and success.” 

The Lloyds Bank New Business of the Year

Our judges said:

“Business is being done differently. It is being done digitally. Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, is both a fitness instructor and a nutritionalist. And whilst that’s the service that he offers, when I look at Joe’s business, I think of it as a ‘digital business’. Until recently, in a good week, Joe could deliver his bootcamp training sessions to c. 100 people in local parks. Joe has not only embraced the digital opportunity, with 471k followers on Instagram and more than 70k followers on Twitter, he is showing everyone how digital can enable businesses to Scale-up exponentially. Joe's business is growing rapidly; it’s generating revenue in the millions; it’s employing c. 40 people; and crucially, Joe is delivering his excellent fitness and weight-loss programme to c. 50k+ people all over the world every day. Who said fitness instruction is not a digital business? Perhaps more importantly, who said being a fitness instructor means your business has to be ’small’?”

On our shortlist, Jen Tippin Managing Director, Retail Business Banking, Lloyds Banking Group said:

“Starting a business is never easy and our shortlisted companies have done exceptionally well to get to this stage amid tough competition. The standard of entries has been exceptional, with representation from a wide variety of industry sectors and geographies. They have all demonstrated strong foundations for continued commercial growth and show great ambition for the future.

This award recognises their success and proves that there is no shortage of people wanting to start their own business and build bright futures. I wish all our finalists the best of luck.”

Finalists

Eyespace
Gate One
Profile Financial Solutions Ltd
Scarlett & Mustard Ltd
Sure Thing! Insurance
SyndicateRoom
The Vaults
Venturespring
ZebraLC

 

Duke of York Award for University Entrepreneurship

Designed to inspire and measure university commitment to entrepreneurship, the Award focuses on the level and quality of enterprise societies, use of alumni entrepreneurs, small business internships and the extent to which the careers service offers start up advice.

Finalists

Liverpool John Moores University
London South Bank University
Sheffield Hallam University
UCL
University of Exeter
University of Hertfordshire
University of Huddersfield
University of the West of England
University of York

The Vonage Business Enabler of the Year

Our judges said:

“The final shortlist provoked a lot of discussion amongst the judges, prompted by the exceedingly high quality of submissions and achievements. Fifteen Digital are worthy winners, exhibiting the benefits that technology can bring to business areas not normally associated with being hi-Tech. Their solutions helped deliver tangible benefits to their customers whilst not being technology for technologies sake.”

Find out more on Fifteen Digital.

Finalists

Celaton Limited
Elixirr
Gate One
iForce
Net Profit Explosion Limited
Palletforce Plc
Pallet-Track Limited
reallymoving.com
UKFast

The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year

Our judges said:

“Titus is an inspiring choice and a wonderful ambassador for the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year Award. With a young and engaged workforce, and with customers in over 100 countries, he has masterminded the growth of one of the most exciting and pioneering scale-up businesses in the UK”

Finalists

Gary and Carmen Lewis, A1 Pharmaceuticals Plc
Andrew Yates, Artesian Solutions
Daniel Gilbert, Brainlabs Digital
Danny Bluestone, Cyber-Duck
Daniel Robinson, Gus Robinson Developments Ltd.
Crispin Moger, Marmalade
Debra Charles, Novacroft
Sean Ramsden, Ramsden International
​Robert Camp, Stephen Scowns LLP

The Inflexion International Growth Business of the Year

Our judges said:

“2015 has been another year of high quality entries from fast growing, new and established businesses across the UK. The judges were particularly impressed with Emoderation's business model (managing multimedia services 24/7 in many parts of the world, for both local and international companies) it’s sustainability and organisation. The company has had consistent year on year growth in recent years in excess of 30%, a credible financial performance and a demonstrable commitment to customer service.”

Finalists

Alexander Mann Solutions
Ashfield Commercial & Medical Services
Clearvision
Innasol
Mobica
NewVoiceMedia
PromoVeritas Ltd
Robert Walters
Worldwide Recruitment Solutions Ltd

The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year

Highlighting the story behind the share price, this nomination Award honours the FTSE 100 business that is best demonstrating its ability to deliver high levels of shareholder value by investing in people, innovation and customer service to deliver sustainable growth.

Amanda Doran, Head Of Commercia, Combined, QBE on the finalists:

“Innovation was a common theme this year and we saw some excellent examples of how the finalists are revolutionising their product and service offerings to remain relevant in an everchanging world. A commitment to positively influencing the communities in which they operate was also a unifying theme as was an understanding of the importance of employee engagement to success.”

Finalists

easyJet
​Dixons Carphone
Wolseley

The Lloyds Bank Digital Business of the Year

Our judges said:

“The judging panel chose UNIDAYS as the Lloyds Bank Digital Business of the Year. MYUNIDAYS exhibited all the hallmarks of a true digital company, demonstrating strong leadership and an innovative spirit enabling them to grow from a new venture in 2011 to the leader in their field inside 4 years. The judging panel were particularly impressed with their strong customer focus, data analytics capability and verification technology which has seen them expand into new territories and partner with some of the world’s leading brands.”

Finalists

Carfinance247
Clothes2order
Emoderation
Formula Botanica
Home Leisure Direct
KashFlow Accounting Software
Mubaloo
Naked Wines
Watchfinder

The Customer Focus Award

Our judges said:

“Go Ape go the extra mile when it comes to Customer Focus -  they demonstrate strong ethics, excellent financials, continued innovation and a high level of commitment to delivering great experiences for their customers, or rather adventurous Apes!”

Finalists

Clothes2order
Conversis
Dorchester Collection
Fleet Alliance Ltd
Lovehoney
Osborne
Pink Boutique Ltd
The Bread Factory
Watchfinder

The Grichan Partnership Sustainable Business Award

Our judges said:

The Judges were impressed by how their Earthbalance strategy had been embraced by the whole company improving the company’s efficiency as well as society.

Highly Commended - Élan Hair

Our judges said:
“Élan Hair Design displayed a level of innovation in sustainability that should lead the way, not only in their industry but in many others.”

Finalists

Good Energy
Hadlow College
IKEA UK
RELX Group
TelecityGroup
Telefónica UK (O2)

Our judges said
"Joe Carnell exemplifies the traits of a highly successful entrepreneur. His unwavering passion for business, charisma, leadership skills, phenomenal results, forward looking approach, absolute focus on delighting the customer and endless energy shone through. The judges were looking for someone who had the talent to take any business and make it highly successful, someone who could lead one of the UK’s most promising start-ups. Joe Carnell is that entrepreneur."

Finalists

Angela Wilson, Angela's Swim School UK Ltd
Chris Underdown, Choosic
Petko Plachkov, Commuter Club
Solveiga Pakštaite, Design By Sol Ltd.
Simon Brown, ForrestBrown Limited
Avin Rabheru, Housekeep
Sarah Bale, Kernow Ed Ltd.
Elizabeth Eagle-Simbeye , Kitsch Media Group
Cassandra Harris, Venturespring

Our judges said:

"A huge congratulations from all of the judges to this year’s winner Livity. From the beginning Sam Conniff and Michelle Clothier ‘wanted to change lives’ and they have certainly accomplished that. Livity mentors and works with young people from a broad range of backgrounds to co-create campaigns, content and communities for brands, government, charities and broadcasters that benefit the lives of young people. A truly outstanding example of how social can be at the heart of a successful and highly regarded commercial business that serves big business and many top brands."

Highly commended – St Andrew's First Aid Training & Supplies Ltd

Our judges said:

"We want to make a special mention of St Andrew's First Aid Training & Supplies Ltd and the important work that they are doing to build safer more resilient communities through increased awareness of life saving first aid techniques. Profits from their business in the last year helped to train children in essential first aid in some of Glasgow’s most deprived neighbourhoods, and to support a volunteer let programme in rural Kenya teaching first aid techniques. All the best on your continued journey."

Finalists

AIESEC UK Ltd.
Ashley Community & Housing Ltd
City Health Care Partnership CIC
Diabetes.co.uk
Ex-MilitaryCareers.com
Luminus
Royal British Legion Industries
St Andrew's First Aid Training & Supplies Ltd
The EBP

Our judges said:
"The judges we hugely impressed by the resources, creativity, depth and commitment given to community support and corporate responsibility by Premiership Rugby genuinely engaging communities and staff across the country, and clearly having a sustained impact across all stakeholders. Congratulations!"

Finalists

Acorn Environment Services
Barclays
iomart Group plc
The Job ShowTM
Laurel Leaf Support Ltd
Lloyds Banking Group
Bullhorn International
Unilever UK

Our judges said:

“DNAFit is a great example of cutting edge technology that has been applied to a strong consumer trend – that of quantified self.  The judges all wanted to sign up to the service and we expect to see more commercial applications involving DNA testing as this innovation becomes mainstream.”

Highly Commended -  Alertacall

Our judges said:

"Alertacall invented the ‘I am okay button’ an ingenious way to give contact to 1000s of people and added some very clever data management to solve a real social problem. The judges could see the positive impact that Alertacall has and applauded their commitment to the local community.”

Finalists

Connect Childcare
Digital Health & Care Institute
Medical Protection Society
Newton Europe
Palletforce Plc
Punch Taverns
Sanofi (Haverhill, UK)
SSL - Simulation Systems Ltd

Our judges said:

“Paymentsense has opened up the possibility of winning a sizable chunk of a lucrative and very traditional market through its technologically innovative, sales focused and fleet of foot business model.”

Finalists

Better Bathrooms
First Utility
GAP Hire Solutions
McMillan Williams Solicitors Ltd
Nix Communications Group
Southampton Football Club
The Bread Factory
The Right Fuelcard Company
Watchfinder

Our judges said:

“We felt that this rapidly scaling business has hit on something of a magic formula: it has retained a real sense of personality and motivation: pulling together its workforce through very approachable management and a flat structure. This means that every employee was bought into the company’s success – undoubtedly contributing to the amazing expansion of the company. The management showed that winning this award was a heartfelt goal and would be something that would instil genuine pride.”

Highly Commended - Sodexo UK and Ireland

Our judges said: 

"The judges felt it was important to highlight the excellent achievements of Sodexo in managing to unite a company with 1,850 sites and over 34,000 employees – we were particularly impressed with their direction and support for managers, and the smart targets the company has set for itself to ensure employees feel a part of the team regardless of where they work day to day."

Finalists

The Right Fuelcard Company
GAP Hire Solutions
Luminus
Fleet Alliance Ltd
La Fosse Associates
Webmart
Stott and May
Baringa Partners

Our judges said:

“Vanarama were incredibly impressive, both in their submission and presentation. We were particularly impressed with their insight into their customers and their ability to turn that into strong business growth. A very worthy winner for this highly competitive category.”

Highly commended – EnviroVent 

Our judges said:

“EnviroVent have come a long way in the last year and have set themselves up well for a strong future. They have put together a compelling brand and will no doubt be champions of the future. “

Finalists

Andrew James UK Ltd
Frugi
Give A Grad A Go
HelloFresh
Home Leisure Direct
ILG
People Source Consulting
Pooch & Mutt

Kai Peters, Chief Academic Officer of Ashridge and Hult International Business School, said:

"The achievements of Carolyn in the five years she has been at EasyJet have been outstanding. She arrived amidst managerial and financial challenges and has impressively grown the airline through dedication, hard work and a sense of fun. Amazingly, she has achieved all of this from a standing start as an outsider to the aviation industry.”