An IT support firm, a medical manufacturer and a coffee company were the big winners at KEiBA 2017.

Tunbridge Wells-based Infinity Group, which looks after computing and business telecoms for clients like Lloyds Bank and Specsavers, picked up both large business of the year and the customer service award at the most prestigious business awards in Kent.

Meanwhile, HatHats Coffee Company in Whitstable won start-up of the year and apprenticeship of the year for its fair trade philosophy and nurturing the career of its first apprentice Charlotte Thomson.

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In all, 17 awards were presented at the gala dinner at the Kent Event Centre in Detling on Thursday, attended by more than 600 people.

For the first time there were 16 categories to enter, with the creation of a new construction project of the year prize, won by Ashford-based Directline Structures.

In addition, the annual outstanding contribution to business in Kent award was given to Jo James, chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which supports 1,200 companies in the county.

She joins the Hall of Fame list of previous winners including philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan, construction giant Pat Gallagher and last year’s winner, the auctioneer Clive Emson.

The former SME business of the year category was split, with small business of the year won by Tunbridge Wells-based homeware retailer Dassie Artisan.

The new medium business of the year prize went to the third of the night’s double award winners – Harrietsham-based medical manufacturer Bedfont Scientific.

The company was also named exporter of the year for selling its breath analysis products in more than 70 countries, with plans to expand into North and South America, China and the Middle East.

Wrotham-based Lucas Fit Out & Finishing Specialists was the second construction firm honoured on the night, taking home the commitment to the environment award for its building innovations which reduce harmful gases in the air.

The business commitment to the community award was given to FareShare Kent, a non-profit organisation in Ashford which collects food due to be thrown away by supermarkets and sends it to charities across the county.

The coveted employer of the year gong went to Childrensalon. The Tunbridge Wells-based children’s clothes retailer won the customer service award last year.

Another company returning to pick up a prize was contract manufacturer ITL Group, which added technology business of the year to two awards collected in 2016 and another two earned in 2014.

Entrepreneur of the year went to Sleeping Giant Media chief executive Luke Quilter, another person who is no stranger to KEiBA, having seen his Folkestone-based online marketing agency win two prizes last year.

Manufacturer of the year was awarded to £79 million turnover Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems in Broadstairs, which transformed its business model with the early adoption of disruptive digital technology.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham was named tourism and leisure business of the year for its Command of the Oceans exhibition and use as a high-profile filming location.

Young entrepreneur of the year was Alexandra Auger, whose Chatham-based juice making company the Juice Executive is set to break the £1 million turnover barrier this year.

Don't miss a picture special from the awards night in your copy of Kent Business next Thursday, free inside the Kent Messenger and Medway Messenger.

The full list of winners and finalists

Apprenticeship of the Year sponsored by KCC Skills and Employability

Winner

HatHats Coffee Company – Charlotte Thomson

Finalists

CRM Logistics – Katie Town

Gillingham FC Community Trust – James Hare

Business Commitment to the Community sponsored by Golding Homes

Winner

FareShare Kent

Finalists

The FAR Academy

Neighbourhood Furniture Store

Commitment to the Environment Award sponsored by KCC Low Carbon Kent and Ardula

Winner

Lucas - Fit Out & Finishing Specialists

Finalists

Bloomsburys Biddenden

Wingham Wildlife Park

Construction Project of the Year sponsored by Brachers and West Kent and Ashford College

Winner

Directline Structures

Finalists

Walker Construction UK

WW Martin

Customer Service Award sponsored by Towergate Insurance Brokers

Winner

Infinity Group

Finalists

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Sleeping Giant Media

Employer of the Year sponsored by Furley Page Solicitors

Winner

Childrensalon

Finalists

The British Assessment Bureau

KIMS Hospital

Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Creaseys

Winner

Sleeping Giant Media – Luke Quilter

Finalists

Lucas – Danny Lucas

The Red Eagle Group – Wayne Hodgson

Exporter of the Year sponsored by Crowe Clark Whitehill

Winner

Bedfont Scientific

Finalists

The Fountain Workshop

Jewelultra

Large Business of the Year sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy LLP and accredited by Kenward Trust

Winner

Infinity Group

Finalists

AC Goatham & Son

Childrensalon

Manufacturer of the Year sponsored by asb law LLP and University of Greenwich

Winner

Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems

Finalists

Brillopak

Colorcon

Medium Business of the Year sponsored by RIFT Group and Kent and Medway Growth Hub

Winner

Bedfont

Finalists

Adjustoform Products

Brillopak

Obart Pumps

Small Business of the Year sponsored by Hatten Wyatt

Winner

Dassie Artisan

Finalists

South East Timber & Damp

Three R’s Teacher Recruitment

Wildwood Media

Start-up of the Year sponsored by MidKent College and Ward Security

Winner

HatHats Coffee Company

Finalists

Matilda Hays Flowers

Nikita By Niki

Technology Business of the Year sponsored by University of Kent and Cripps

Winner

ITL Group

Finalists

Michelson Diagnostics

Trading.co.uk

Tourism & Leisure Business of the Year sponsored by Southeastern

Winner

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Finalists

Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks

Turner Contemporary

Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Custodian Data Centres and CXK

Winner

The Juice Executive – Alexandra Auger

Finalists

Nikita By Niki – Nikita Mahon

VooServers – Matt Parkinson

Outstanding contribution to business in Kent

Winner

Jo James, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce