Both country and county were on tenterhooks on July 4 – the country for the election result, and the county for the outcome of the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2024. And what an outcome it was. Proud winners in 23 different categories, and a night to remember – not just for its drinks reception, fine dining and high-end entertainment, but for its turnout (the highest yet) and its serious networking opportunities.
Amongst the many hundreds of entries received, the overall winner was iCandy, a Bedfordshire business specialising in the design and manufacture of innovative pushchairs and prams.
The company was also the Gold Winner of the Ryan Business Innovation category, and Silver Winner of Central Bedfordshire Business of the Year.
Vice CEO Cameron Appel said of the awards:
“The experience was truly exceptional, and it was inspiring to be surrounded by so many innovative and dedicated businesses. Being recognised as one of Bedfordshire’s best businesses in 2024 motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and delivering excellence in everything we do.”
But over 20 other businesses and individuals shone on the night, too, as Gold Winners and Silver Winners, across many categories. This shows just how Bedfordshire, for a small county, punches above its weight in business excellence.
Take a look at the list of winners – you might come across a potential new customer, partner or supplier.
The Gold Winners
Liebherr Apprentice Employer of the Year
Taylor Walton Solicitors
Bedford Borough Council Bedford Business of the Year
Food etc
Wenta Best Enterprising Business
i3 Simulations
Wrest Park Enterprise Best New Business
Verso Recruitment Group
Ryan Business Innovation
iCandy
Treacle Factory Business of the Year less than 50 Employees
Osborne Morris and Morgan
AEGIS Business of the Year more than 50 Employees
Neville Trust
Foxley Kingham Chartered Accountants Business Person of the Year
Michelle Cook – Reactiv8 The Nation
Talk UK Telecom Community Business of the Year
Mind BLMK
Jaltek Employer of the Year
Home Instead Bedford
Unisnacks Entrepreneur of the Year
Will Brown – Will Brown Hair
& Open Chair
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year
Kent Brushes
Family Business of the Year
Copybox Document System
London Luton Airport High Growth Business of the Year
Kings Fire
Influencer of the Year
Be Seen Screen
Luton Business of the Year
The Fruit and Veg Man
AEGIS Not-for-Profit Business of the Year
Kings Arms Project
Jaltek Positive Impact Award
Be Our Guest Princesses
Unisnacks Retail Business of the Year
Jodie Gearing Bespoke Jewellery Design
RSP UK Service Excellence
Love Hounds Dog Grooming – Bedford
Wenta Action Zero Sustainability Award
Sommers Waste Solutions
Barnfield College Young Business Person of the Year
Darius Moghtadaii – THSP
Overall Business of the Year
iCandy
Heartfelt thanks all round
Of course, whilst the awards are (rightly) all about the winners, we’re immensely grateful to the sponsors whose support made the entire awards programme and ceremony possible.
These include Headline Sponsor Unisnacks, Platinum Sponsors Aegis Support Services, Jaltek, and Wenta, Gold Sponsors Barnfield College, Bartham Group, Bedford Borough Council, Foxley Kingham, Liebherr GB, London Luton Airport, RSP UK, Ryan, Talk UK Telecom, and Wrest Park Enterprise, plus Media Sponsor MK Pulse/Business Times, and Print Sponsor Treacle Factory.
With these awards, we wanted to give local businesses a chance to shine, and they’ve achieved exactly that – with public acclaim and media coverage aplenty.
So, will you be entering next year?
CEO Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce
For more information, visit the website or call our awards team on 01908 542720.
