On Thursday, Express & Echo, Exeter’s local newspaper, announced the nominees for its 2015 business awards.
The media outlet stated:
“The competition – now in its fifth year – attracted a phenomenal 133 entries from companies and entrepreneurs in Exeter and the surrounding area. The high volume and calibre of entries meant all those who have made it onto the shortlist can take pride in their achievement, while many strong candidates will inevitably be disappointed.”
Among the nominees of the awards is UK’s equity crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube. The website has been nominated for the Business of the Year award. Crowdcube’s Darren Westlake was also nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year.
The awards’ winners will be revealed in a ceremony on April 17th. This year’s judging panel includes: Alison Davenport, MD of Exeter Cathedral; Ben de Cruz, partner at Haines Watts chartered accountants; Duncan Eadie, IT director at Foot Anstey; Maureen Gori de Murden, senior economy and tourism officer at Exeter City Council; Sarah Jepson, MD of Chalk & Ward PR, and Echo business editor Gordon Richardson.
Check out the nominations below:
Best Apprentice Employer: Axminster Tools & Machinery; Cosmic; River Cottage; South West Water.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Cosmic; Kier Construction; Prosper 4 Group; Tozers Solicitors; Virtual Jet Centre.
Employer of the Year: Devon Air Ambulance Trust; Manor Lodge; Marketing Source; Stephens Scown.
Best Creative Business: Hugo Bugg Landscapes; Marketing Source; Rusty Pig; Umbrella Group.
Innovation Award: eCow Devon; ePraise; Frigesco; Hugo Bugg Landscapes.
Excellence in Customer Service: Axminster Tools & Machinery; Bluebird Care; Dartmoor Kitchen; Ralph Winter Kitchens; Salutation Inn.
Family Business of the Year: Axminster Tools & Machinery; Land Rover Experience West Country; SJB Foods; Stroll-On Baby; Stuart Line Cruises; System Six Kitchens.
Environmental Award: Frigesco; Jelly – Exeter Community Initiatives; Larkbeare Grange; System Six Kitchens.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Darren Westlake, Crowdcube; Lucy Flanagan, Mumazing Success; Robin Rea, Rusty Pig; Andy Wilkins, Virtual Jet Centre.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Emma Richards, Cherub Chews; Hugo Bugg, Hugo Bugg Landscapes; Dominic Rott, Street Motion; Nicole Flanagan, Vagabonds Milkshake Bar.
Best Tourism/Hospitality Business: Ladram Bay Holiday Park; Magdalen Chapter Hotel; Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel; Sandy Park.
Best City Centre Business: Radiance MediSpa; Relevant by Willow Hilson; Stroll-On Baby; Thomas Moore Toymaster.
Small Business of the Year: Hosted Desktop
UK; Marsh Barton Security Services; Plantabox; Select Statistics; Travel Health Consultancy; Van Guard Accessories.
Business of the Year: Crowdcube; Hosted Desktop UK; Rokk Media; Ladram Bay Holiday Park; Sandy Park.