The finalists for the 2009 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards have been announced.
The best 18 businesses in the Caerphilly County Borough have been nominated in six categories. One overall winner will also be announced at the eighth annual awards ceremony, sponsored by Norgine, at the Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa in Maesycymmer on Friday November 13.
Martyn Fear, chairman of the Caerphilly Business Forum said the judges are facing their toughest challenge yet to select the final winners from a record number of nominations.
He said: “There is no doubt that a year ago many businesses would not have foreseen the challenges that the last 12 months has brought to companies within all sectors of business life.
“Yet despite everything there has been an overwhelmingly strong calibre of entrants this year and the standard of our finalists in what has been a very tough year for many is testament to the sheer talent, determination to succeed and degree of ingenuity of individuals and organisations working within the Caerphilly County Borough.”
Howard Burton, principal and chief executive of award sponsors Coleg Gwent, said: “The calibre of this year’s finalists is extremely high and testament to all the hard work undertaken in the business community in recent years.
“As a training provider, Coleg Gwent has seen during the recession businesses even more determined to upskill their workforces to increase their competitiveness. To be recognised by these awards is a fantastic accolade for any organisation.”
Previous Caerphilly Business Forum Award winners who have gone on to further their business with the support of the forum, include Land Rover parts manufacturer Bearmach, Trecenydd-based valve company Hobbs Valve, Tredomen-based utility management company RUMM and bespoke children’s playground business Craft Wales.
Finalists for the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2009, in association with Coleg Gwent, are:
Young Business of the Year – sponsored by Venture Wales
- Captiva Spa
- Taylors Bed & Breakfast
- The Pamper Haven
Young Business of the Year High Growth – sponsored by Draig Training
- Petra’s Cleaning Company
- Utility Training Services
- Upsa Daisy Day Nursery
Business of the Year (25 Employees or fewer) – sponsored by Local Investment Fund South East Wales
- Yacht Lifeline
- Blackwood Compliance Laboratories
- UES
Business of the Year (25 Employees or more) – sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council
- Roger Jones & Sons
- Pensord Press
- Klockner Pentaplast
Achievement in Manufacturing – sponsored by SEDA UK Ltd
- Lexon Group
- Cottam & Brookes
- Modplan
The John Griffiths Young Achiever Award – sponsored by Peter’s Food Services
- Charlotte Burles – Parkmans
- Gwenllian Davies -Thomas, Carroll Group plc
- Paul Williams – Utility Training
For more information about Caerphilly Business Forum and this year’s awards visit www.cbforum.co.uk