Business leaders
celebrate excellence at the 2012 KEiBAs

The stars of Kent business came out last night as the winners of
the 2012 Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) were
announced.

More than 450 guests attended the event at Priestfield stadium,
Gillingham, to recognise and celebrate the cream of Kent
enterprise.

Fourteen businesses and individuals were selected from 40
finalists.

A record 265 entries were received for the awards, which are in
their fourth year.

It is staged and produced by Kent County Council and The KM
Group.

The winners are:

Apprenticeship of the YearAmie Madgett
(Hospice in the Weald), Pembury

Best Leisure and Tourism Business

The Aspinall Foundation - Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal
Parks, Nr Ashford

Best Science and/or Technology Business

EMS Security Group Ltd, Herne Bay

Business Commitment to the CommunityKent
County Football Association, Ditton

Business Commitment to the EnvironmentArdo
UK Ltd, Ashford

Customer Service and CommitmentAmicusHorizon
Ltd (T/A Avenue), Sittingbourne

Employer of the YearHoliday Extras,
Hythe

Entrepreneur of the YearAlan Proto (GML
Group), Maidstone

Large Business of the YearMidKent College,
Gillingham

SME Business of the YearThree R's Teacher
Recruitment, Ashford

Start Up Business of the YearBertie's Wood
Fuel Ltd, Hadlow

Success in International MarketsArmourcoat
Surface Finishes, Sevenoaks

Young Entrepreneur of the YearCraig Harrison
(Aquaread Limited), Broadstairs

Outstanding Contribution to the Business
Community

Amanda Cottrell

The results were announced at a gala dinner, where winners were
presented with special glass trophies.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic
Development, Mark Dance, said: “I was delighted to see so many
outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs last night.

"All of the entrants were of an extremely high standard and Kent
has once again shown that it really is the place to do
business.

“I want to send my heartfelt congratulations to everyone who
took part in this year’s KEiBA – and in particular to the
exceptional and deserving winners.”

Amanda Cottrell awarded
for outstanding contribution to the community.

L-R Rachel Elnaugh, Geraldine Allinson, Amanda Cotrell OBE and Mark
Dance

Chairman of KM Group, Geraldine Allinson, said: "This is the
fourth Kent Excellence in Business Awards and last night’s event
raised the game, yet again, as far as awards schemes in this county
are concerned.

"It truly was Kent’s business night of the year. My
congratulations go to the finalists and worthy winners for
achieving so much in a tough economic climate.

"This is a great county to do business in and, better placed
than most to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead."

KEiBA aims to recognise and reward excellence in Kent and Medway
businesses of all sizes as well as individual awards.

It’s hoped that the awards will also boost staff morale and help
attract new staff.

Winning an award will also help businesses raise their profile
in Kent.

All of the entries went through a rigorous judging process,
which rated entrants against pre-set criteria to select a shortlist
for each category.

The judges then visited the short-listed entrants to carry out a
more in-depth

investigation through face-to-face interviews before selecting the
list of finalists.

Sponsors include: EMC Management Consultants, The Kent
Foundation, Santander, Headley Brothers, Lloyds TSB, asblaw, Vertex
Law, University of Kent, Heart, Institute of Directors, Belmont
International, Southern Water, Kent County Council Sustainability,
Kent Apprenticeships, HSBC, Kent International Business, Kent
Reliance, Visit Kent and Southeastern.