A CONTROVERSIAL decision to block the award of a top prize provoked uproar at a business awards ceremony.

For the first time in the 14-year history of the prestigious Kent Business Awards, a trophy was withheld because the judge claimed entries were not good enough.

Many of the 530 VIPs, senior business people and their guests in a huge marquee at Leeds Castle were incensed by the decision.

The hostile reception overshadowed the achievements of winners on what is normally a night of celebration of Kent and Medway business life.

Kent Reliance Building Society, based in Chatham, had sponsored a new Innovation in Business category and three finalists were shortlisted.

But when Mike Lazenby, chief executive, came to present the award he ruled out any winner.

"There were some good entries but to win this award you haven’t just got to be good, you’ve got to be the best.

"I wasn’t satisfied that there was one outstanding winner in this category so I took advice and we came to the conclusion that we couldn’t offer one outstanding award as number one.

"So what we’d like to do is award a highly commended to all three finalists because they all did very well. They just weren’t the best."

But Sian Holt, founder of Jim Garrahy’s Fudge Kitchen in Canterbury, one of the finalists, told the audience of her disappointment at the decision.

Ignoring ITV Meridian presenter Charlotte Hawkins’s request to leave the podium, she declared: "Hooray for my company, we’re marvellous. I would rather have lost."

Later she said: "We are totally and utterly innovative. Innovation has turned us from making a loss into making a profit. It’s a sad reflection on Kent Reliance Building Society."

Mr Lazenby did not regret his verdict. He said: "I know the lady from Fudge Kitchen was unhappy but the fact is nobody was innovative enough to win the award."

Cllr Alex King, deputy leader of Kent County Council, said the evening was about celebrating success and innovation and claimed that Mr Lazenby's ill-judged words had spoilt the evening.

He said: "Judges and sponsors will need to reflect before for next year’s awards – how easy it is to mar the enjoyment of an eager audience and well-motivated finalists with a few ill-judged words."

Full awards round-up and pictures in the free, July edition of Kent Business.