Entrants to the West Oxfordshire Business Awards 2014 gathered to discover if they had been shortlisted as a WOBA finalist at a vibrant Entrants’ Celebration event hosted at AirTanker in Brize Norton this month. The 33 finalists were selected across 11 award categories and the winners will be announced at an Awards Gala Dinner on 14 March 2014.
STL Communications Employer of the Year Award
Audley Travel
Torchbox
Wise Investments
CETA Insurance Large Business Award
AirTanker
Data Plastics
Huffkins
Ridgeway Business Person of the Year Award
Jon Cox - Adventure Plus
Robert Drake - CDO
Topsy Taee - Huffkins
mark-making* Social Media Award
Feathered Nest Inn
Just Fabrics
SpecialEffect
Heythrop Park Resort Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Award
Four Pillars Witney
Hacketts
Witney Lakes Resort
Blenheim Palace Rural Business Award
Aston Pottery
Cogges Heritage Trust
Crocodiles of the World
Polythene UK Charity and Community Award
Base 33
ICE Centre
Synolos
Owen Mumford Innovation Award
Ice Oxford
Smooga
Sonnox
Witney Business & Innovation Centre New Business Award
123ICT
Cotswold Tailor
Ross & Ross Food
Strategic Mentors Small Business Award
CDO
CQR Consulting
Crocodiles of the World
Hexagon Business Centres Micro Business Award
Community Buying Unlimited
Ross & Ross Food
Woozelbears
Commenting on becoming a WOBA finalist, Ross Bearman, Director of Ross & Ross Food said: “It’s amazing to be nominated for two categories. We are only two years old as a business and year one was particularly challenging considering we were starting-up a high end food business during a recession. We hope that recognition from WOBA will provide a platform to build on our success to help ensure Ross & Ross Food works as a growing business.” The number of entries has increased for the fourth consecutive year with the Hexagon Micro Business Award receiving 35 submissions, unprecedented for a new category. The STL Employer of the Year Award is also a new category for 2014, which sees Audley Travel, Torchbox and Wise Investments shortlisted.
Jo Sensecall, spokesperson for the WOBA organising team, said: “Once again, we are thrilled by the number of entries received and have been taken by surprise at the popularity of our new categories. The judging process was extremely challenging this year with strong contenders for each award.
“We would like to congratulate all the finalists and encourage everyone who entered to take advantage of the networking opportunities available through the WOBA community. We would also like to thank AirTanker for hosting a brilliant Entrants’ Celebration event.”
AirTanker was independently shortlisted for the CETA Large Business of the Year Award. The company delivers aircraft, infrastructure and training in support of Voyager, the RAF’s new generation of multi roll tanker transport (MRTT), the UK Armed Forces and their global partners.
Dave Mitchard, Managing Director, AirTanker Services, said: “AirTanker is committed to playing its part within the community and where there are opportunities to work with local businesses, we are committed to taking them.
“It was a pleasure to host WOBA last night at such a well-supported event and we are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Large Business of the Year Award.”
WOBA will host a glamorous Awards Gala Dinner at Heythrop Park (Friday 14 March) where category winners will be announced in addition to the overall winner of the prestigious Coutts Business of the Year Award.
The Coutts trophy, designed by students from Abingdon & Witney College and made by Brian Overton of charity and training centre Synolos, was revealed to all who attended the Entrants’ Celebration event at AirTanker. The WOBA charity for 2014 is Inclusive Care & Education (ICE), winner of the 2013 Polythene UK Charity & Community Award. ICE runs a variety of activities for disabled young people and those with additional needs at its centre in Carterton.
