KEiBA 2015: Finalists revealed at Kent 2020 Vision Live

Published: 13:01, 13 May 2015

From cheesemakers to social media start ups, wildlife parks to house builders, the line up for this year’s Kent Excellence in Business Awards is as diverse as ever.

The list of 46 nominations in 15 categories for the county’s biggest business awards, known as the KEiBAs, was announced today at the Kent 2020 Vision Live business exhibition at the Kent Event Centre, Detling.

Representing companies from across the county, the shortlist was confirmed at a final judging session on Monday.

Staff enjoying the creative workspace at Sleeping Giant Media, which is nominated for SME Business of the Year and the Customer Service and Commitment Award

Nominees have to wait six weeks to find out who will be crowned Kent’s finest firms at a gala dinner held at Kent Event Centre next month.

A record number of entries were received this year, the seventh time the awards have been held.

Run jointly by the KM Group and Kent County Council, proceeds from the ceremony will go to Kent homeless charity Porchlight and domestic abuse refuge organisation Oasis.

Mark Dance, cabinet member for economic development at Kent County Council, who announced the finalists, said: “As ever the standard of entries was extraordinary and selecting the 46 finalists was a very tough task – it just shows you the calibre of the businesses we have in Kent.

KEiBA is returning for the seventh year in 2015

“I’d like to congratulate all of those that have made it this far. The final in June will really allow those finalists to shine.

“I look forward to meeting them all and recognising and promoting their successes and achievements.”

KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists in another record-breaking year for KEiBA entries.

“I was delighted to see such an enthusiastic response from businesses and organisations from across the county.

Chartway Group profits reached nearly £3 million

“Once again, the standard was very high and the judges clearly faced a tough job selecting the best of the best.

“There are some remarkable stories of enterprise, risk-taking and outstanding achievement among all the finalists.

“Reaching this stage really is a benchmark of excellence. I wish all the finalists good luck and very much look forward to hearing the results at the gala dinner in June.”

The gala dinner takes place at the Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, on Thursday, June 25.

Tickets are available at keiba.co.uk.

The full list of finalists for 2015 are:

Large Business of the Year

Chartway Group Ltd, Maidstone

Priority Freight, Dover

Swanstaff Recruitment Ltd, Dartford