Meet the sponsors – the names you need to know

With over 20 categories for both businesses and individuals, the 2025 SME Bedfordshire Business Awards are shaping up to steal the crown of the 2024 awards – which were themselves the most successful of the awards programmes to date.

But whilst we work hard to make the event a success for all the businesses that have diligently submitted their entries, none of it would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

Headline Sponsor – Essential Workwear

Our Headline Sponsor this year is Dunstable-based Essential Workwear (essentialworkwear.com), a local success story with a national and international trading presence.

From customised face masks to hi-vis jackets, smart office shirts, and much more besides, Essential’s products make you a living advert for your brand.

The company is also an active member of the Chamber and supporter of local business and has hosted Chamber events on its own premises. A previous award winner, Founder George Georgiou said: “The awards are definitely the best choice for our business to position itself as the go-to supplier of personalised workwear in the region!”

Essential Workwear’s dedication to providing five-star products and services to help businesses stand out against the competition drives the sponsorship and the company’s determination to give back to the community.

Platinum Sponsors: Aegis Support Services and Jaltek

Next come the Platinum Sponsors, and we’re delighted to include in this sponsorship category two stand-out Luton brands that were also Platinum Sponsors last year and have made the decision to repeat the experience – Aegis Support Services and Jaltek Systems.

Aegis (aegissupportservices.com) provides security, facilities management and training services, and operates across England, Wales and Scotland. Qadeer Qureshi, CEO of the Aegis group of companies, said: “Being a Platinum Partner gives us the platform and channels to let local businesses know we have these awards in the county, and urge them to enter, and to build some valuable relationships along the way.”

Jaltek (jaltek.com) is the region’s premier manufacturer and designer of electronic components for multiple industries internationally. Business Manager Steve Blythe says the company is ‘excited about the awards’ and is looking forward to ‘banging the drum for Luton’.

Gold Sponsors: dedicated and diverse

We have no fewer than 13 local organisations of all sizes and types lending their support to the awards as Gold Sponsors, and it’s thrilling to see this breadth of engagement.

The Gold Sponsors include:

• ADA Cosmetics (ada-cosmetics.com) – a leading global manufacturer of high-quality hotel cosmetics and innovative dispenser solutions, committed to sustainability and enriching guest experiences.
• Bartham Press (barthampress.com) – a renowned litho press printer based in Luton, offering quality personal and commercial printing services since 1976.
• FKCA Limited (fkca.co.uk) – a Luton-based firm of experienced chartered accountants and business advisers offering comprehensive services including accounting, audit, tax planning and business strategy.
• Austin & Carnley Solicitors (austinandcarnley.co.uk) – one of the oldest law-fi rms in Bedfordshire, founded over 100 years ago, specialising in both residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and probate, and employment law.
• Liebherr GB Limited (liebherr.com/en-gb/) – a family-owned company that is a world leader in manufacturing construction equipment, refrigeration and freezing products, and other industrial machinery.
• London Luton Airport (london-luton.co.uk) – the region’s premier flight hub, connecting businesses and travellers throughout the world.
• Luton Council (luton.gov.uk) – dedicated to providing vital local government services that foster community growth and development.
• Quest Employment (questemployment.co.uk) – experts in recruitment, connecting talent with opportunities across warehouse, commercial, technical, and food production industries.
• Resourceful People Group (resourcefulpeoplegroup.com) – specialists in transformation HR consultancy, helping organisations achieve strategic change and workforce success.
• RSP UK (rsp-uk.co.uk) – suppliers of premium construction equipment, delivering high-performance solutions to the building and infrastructure sectors.
• Talk UK Telecom (talkuktelecom.co.uk) – a trusted partner for businesses, offering tailored mobile, landline, and data communication solutions.
• The Bedford College Group (bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk) – the largest provider of further and higher education in the South East Midlands, offering a wide range of courses for personal and professional success.
• Wenta (wenta.co.uk) – a not-for-profit social enterprise offering free, impartial business advice, skills training, and flexible workspace solutions to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Wrest Park Business Centre (wrestparkenterprise.co.uk) a hub offering a range of flexible workspace solutions, including serviced offices, virtual and coworking spaces, meeting rooms and business units.