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More on KentOnline
Thirty-five Kent businesses have made it through to the final round of this year’s Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA)
KEiBA is staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group and recognises excellence in Kent’s businesses. The 14 categories incorporate companies of all sizes as well as individual awards.
Mark Dance, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: “It is fantastic to once again see so many outstanding entries from businesses right across Kent. Every year the calibre of entries just gets better and better.
“All of the finalists have done so well to get this far in a tough economic climate. It just goes to show that Kent is open for business!”
Geraldine Allinson, KM Group chairman, said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists in a record-breaking year for KEiBA entries. I was delighted to see such an enthusiastic response from businesses and organisations across the county, despite the economic challenges that we all face.
"Once again, the standard was very high and the judges 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 is a benchmark of excellence, but I hope that the very good organisations who narrowly missed the cut this year will have another go next time.
"I wish all the finalists good luck and look forward to hearing the results at the gala celebration”
This year’s entries have all been through a rigorous judging process which involved the judges visiting each of the shortlisted entrants to carry out a more in-depth investigation through face-to-face interviews with managers and staff before selecting the list of finalists.
Large Business of the Year
FM Conway, Dartford
Markerstudy Group, Sevenoaks
Xmo Strata Ltd, Marde
SME Business of the Year
Chartway Group Ltd, Maidstone
Component Force Ltd, Rochester
Joss Bay Surf School, Broadstairs
PressOn, Rochester
Start Up Business of the Year
Eos Civil Engineering, Canterbury
indEx Enclosures Ltd, Ashford
The Creation Lab Ltd, Dartford
Best Leisure and Tourism Business
Howletts & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Nr.Ashford
Prince’s Golf Club & The Lodge at Prince’s, Sandwich
Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa, Wilmington
Best Science and/or Technology Business
Aquaread Ltd, Broadstairs
Lightmaker UK, Tunbridge Wells
Sleeping Giant Media, Folkestone
Best Land Based Business
Chapel Down (English Wines Plc), Tenterden
Kelsey Farms, Canterbury
Winterdale Cheesemakers, Sevenoaks
Business Commitment to the Community
3663, Paddock Wood
Canterbury College, Canterbury
Golding Homes, Maidstone
Business Commitment to the Environment
Canterbury College, Canterbury
Sherwood Cricket Club, Rochester
Xmo Strata Ltd, Marden
Customer Service and Commitment
AmicusHorizon Ltd (T/A Avenue Lettings), Sittingbourne
Sleeping Giant Media, Folkestone
The Better Body Shop, Sevenoaks
Employer of the Year
Cabot Financial Ltd, West Malling
Markerstudy Group, Sevenoaks
The Albatross Group, Larkfiel
Success in International Markets
Aquaread Ltd, Broadstairs
Component Force Ltd, Rochester
Scarab Sweepers Ltd, Tonbridge
Entrepreneur of the Year
Steve Burnett, Compact and Bale, Hadlow
John Casey, The Mainstream Group, Sittingbourne
Gary Mayatt, Enevis, Dartford
Young Entrepreneur
Piperis Filippaios, uTargeting Ltd, Canterbury
Owen Hunnam, Vine Publishing Ltd, Sevenoaks
Anthony Klokkou, Sleeping Giant Media, Folkestone
Apprenticeship of the Year
Amelix Ltd /Nathan Jenks, Whitstable
Canterbury College/ Nicole Cook, Canterbury
Orbit South / Sheri Packham, Maidstone
