A COMPANY with branches located in Canterbury has won an award at the Prestigious National Business Awards.

Connells walked away with the accolade for Business of the Year, South East Region at the award ceremony. The company faced fierce competition from many well-known names, including Vodaphone, Thames Water, HBOS, Everest and Bacardi-Martini.

In presenting the Business of the Year Award to Connells, the judges described the company as “an outstanding organisation that has demonstrated exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies and is a market leader in its sector."

Kevin Chapman, Canterbury Branch Manager said, "This is a tremendous accolade and we are very proud that our company has been recognised, in the words of the judges, as a shining example of business excellence."

The awards described by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown as the UK's "Business Oscars" are promoted as the highest accolade a British business can aspire to and are highly competitive.

Connells joins eleven other shortlisted companies to go through to the national finals, the winner of which will be announced in November.