Toomey Motor Group
Nominations are now closed for this years’ awards. Please scroll down the page to see the list of finalists for 2023. Thank you to our many and varied businesses for taking the time to enter.
Congratulations to all our winners!
A link to a gallery of photographs taken on the night are available to view on Tina Wing website which you can download for FREE to use on your own social media.
A short film covering the awards will also be available on this page to watch shortly. If you are included in either and do NOT wish to be, please email business@rochford.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Get involved and make sure your business enters next year! An online nomination form will open on this page in Autumn 2023, so keep checking back and sign up to our Tell Me More business bulletin, so you’re the first to hear!
Thank you for your interest in the Rochford District Business Awards 2023 in association with Toomey Motor Group!
The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of our fantastic business community over the previous12 months.
Rochford District Council is proud to announce the following winners, with thanks to all our sponsors and finalists:
Apprentice of the Year
- WINNER: Vinney Wall – Swiftclean UK Ltd.
- Ben Ridley – MPA Defence Industries
- John Finch – AJ Chambers
- Lauren Passmore – CLS Money
Community Impact Award sponsored by Castle Point & Rochford Health & Wellbeing Board
- WINNER: Gossip of Great Wakering
- AJ Chambers
- Legacy Strategies Ltd.
Employee Contribution of the Year
- WINNER: Toby Scarisbrick – Wayland Games
- Emily Nicholls – Swiftclean UK Ltd.
- James Gosling – AJ Chambers
Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Colbea
- WINNER: Miah Henley
- Andrew Hilliard
- Clayton Shipton
- James Edmunds
Environmental Impact Award jointly sponsored by Colbea & REBA
- WINNER: Elysium Refill
- Scarlett Energy
Innovative Business of the Year sponsored by Oxford Innovation Space
- WINNER: Monitor Audio Group
- CLS Money
- Studio35
Micro Business of the Year sponsored by 3 Chambers
- WINNER: Seasons in Thyme
- I am Emily
- Lovely Libbys
- Peak Security
SME of the Year sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses
- WINNER: Hanningfield Process Systems Ltd.
- Practical HR
- Go Privilege Limited
- Wayland Games
Social Enterprise of the Year
- WINNER: The Design Cabin Community C.I.C.
- Megacentre
- Trustlinks
Start-Up Business of the Year sponsored by Backing Essex Business
- WINNER: VR Escape
- Elysium Refill
- Katy’s Café Lounge
- This Feels Like Home
Awards were handed out at our ceremony on the evening of Thursday 26 January 2023 at Apton Hall in Rochford. With additional thanks to all our local suppliers who made the venue look amazing! Apton Hall, Eternity Events, Blatella Films, POPCreations, Pretty Little Hire Co., The Trophy Factory and Azzurro Marketing. Additional sponsors; The Flower Basket for providing table decorations and Tina Wing Business Photography for providing professional photographs of our winners, finalists and the ceremony. Plus Su Harrison from Radio Essex for being our announcer!
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for an award, a business or individual needs to be based or have a fixed presence within Rochford District and have been trading for at least 12 months (with the exception of the Start-Up Business category).
For the eligibility criteria of specific categories, please refer to the list below.
Micro Business of the Year 2023
A Micro business must not employ more than 10 employees or have a turnover of more than £632,000. Businesses should demonstrate why they deserve to be recognised as the best in this category.
SME of the Year 2023
An SME business must not employ more than 250 employees or have a turnover of more than £36 million. Businesses should demonstrate why they deserve to be recognised as the best in this category.
Apprentice of the Year 2023
For an apprentice that has gone above and beyond in achieving personal or organisational goals that have made a significant contribution to their business.
Entrepreneur of the Year 2023
For an individual that has been trading for at least 12 months and can demonstrate significant successes in bringing forward new / innovative ideas within their industry
Start-Up Business of the Year 2023
For a business that began trading in the past 12 months that can demonstrate significant success in bringing forward new or innovative ideas within their industry
Environmental Impact Award 2023
For a business that has made a positive impact on the environment by:
- Developing an innovative product or service that directly benefits the climate or environment; or
- Making a significant reduction in their carbon footprint/CO2 output; or
- Investing or innovating in renewable energy, recycling, the education of others, or the development of cleantech.
Community Impact Award 2023
For a business that has made a positive contribution to their local community and demonstrated a firm commitment towards meeting their social responsibilities.
Social Enterprise of the Year 2023
For a social enterprise or charity that has made a positive contribution to the lives and livelihoods of their local community
Innovative Business of the Year 2023
For a business that has adapted or diversified their revenue streams or accessed new markets through investment in innovative technology or products
Employee Contribution of the Year 2023
For an employee who has made a significant contribution to the success of their business and deserves special recognition for their work ethic
Guidelines for Completing Supporting Information
When completing the supporting information section on the nomination form, please consider the following questions as guidelines. You do not need to respond to all of these questions but they may help you to consider why your business deserves recognition.
Micro Business of the Year & SME of the Year
- How has the business grown its profits and turnover over the last 24 months?
- What is the future vision or strategy for the business?
- How does the business seek to differentiate itself from the competition?
- Has the business been innovative in its approach to the marketplace and its approach to improving productivity and quality?
- Has the business diversified? Has this diversification been successful in achieving profit or longer-term goals for the business?
- What contributions does the business make to our community?
Apprentice of the Year
- How has this apprentice contributed to achieving the objectives of the businesses?
- How have they gone above and beyond in the workplace?
- Have they identified any efficiency savings or streamlining of processes or suggested or developed any new ideas to assist your business?
Entrepreneur of the Year
- What has the journey been for this entrepreneur? What challenges have you overcome and what have you achieved in the context of your industry/sector?
- What makes the nominee stand out in their chosen industry?
- What are your long-term projections in terms of business growth?
- How has the nominee contributed to their local community or other organisations?
Start-Up Business of the Year
- Describe your product/service
- What are the objectives of your business? What is the gap in the market that you are looking to fill?
- What have been your achievements so far and what challenges have you had to overcome?
- What are your long-term projections in terms of business growth?
Environmental Impact Award
- Describe your product/service
- How does your business model positively impact the environment?
- Have you changed your business model, or invested in a new product or technology that benefits the environment?
- What environmental issues are these activities targeted at (e.g. climate, carbon, energy, waste, wildlife etc.) and what outcomes have you achieved?
- Please provide evidence either with testimonials or data which shows the impact these changes have had
Community Impact Award
- What activities has the business undertaken to the benefit of our community? Please include detail on what this activity is and how the community has benefited from it/them.
- What inspired the initiation of these activities? What were the objectives behind them?
- Please provide evidence either with testimonials or data which shows the level of impact these activities have had for the community.
Social Enterprise of the Year
- What made you choose a Social Enterprise model for your organisation?
- What social or environmental challenge(s) does your social enterprise address? Who is the audience that you provide support to?
- What social, cultural, economic and/or environmental outcomes have you achieved this year? Who has benefitted?
- Have you raised funds above what the enterprise requires to operate? How do you use / invest that funding?
Innovative Business of the Year
- Describe your product/service
- Have you invested in a more innovative business model, product or technology? What problem is this looking to address?
- How successful has this innovation been? What are your long-term objectives for this innovation?
- What are your long-term projections in terms of business growth?
Employee Contribution of the Year (To be nominated by their employer)
- Describe the journey of the individual and any challenges they overcame
- How has the employee contributed to the business beyond what would be expected from their daily activities?
- Why has the nominee proven to be one of the best in your business – what makes them a clear achiever?
- Has the nominee undertaken activities outside of their working hours to contribute to their local community or any other organisation?