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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.
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