The finalists of the 2017 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards have been announced.
With a 44% increase in the number of entries this year, the awards recognise the best of business in Caerphilly County Borough.
The awards, now in their 16th year, are sponsored by some of Caerphilly’s leading organisations, including; platinum sponsor Coleg Gwent, Welsh Government, Broomfield and Alexander, Glenside commercial, Welsh ICE, Coleg y Cymoedd, City and Guilds, Educ8, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Cwm a Mynydd.
The awards are also supported by Lexon Group and Pob Design.
The winners of each category – who will automatically be entered into the Premier Award sponsored by Broomfield and Alexander – will be announced at the awards evening held on Friday, November 17, at Llechwen Hall, near Nelson. The host this year will once again be BBC presenter, Jamie Owen.
The shortlisted firms are as follows: Apprentice of the Year: Brandon Griffiths – GE Aviation Wales; Megan Hession – Montana Healthcare.
Business Woman of the Year: Kelsey Dobbs – A.Schulman Inc. Ltd; Alex Jones – Coffee 37; Marsha Ward – The Number Hub; Julie Waters – Thomas Carroll Group.
Creative and Digital Business of the Year: Big Lemon Creative; CineMerse; Tania Miller Photography.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Natasha Gordon – HaGGLA; Tania Miller – Tania Miller Photography; Studio Hicks – Emily Hicks Creative; Lewis Peach – Peak Performance Fitness Solutions.
Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees): A Schulman Inc Ltd; Thomas Carroll Group; Lexon Group.
Contribution to the Rural Economy: Hallets Cider; Sirhowy Valley Honeybee Company; GoConnect; The Living Room Yr Ystafell fyw.
Small Business of the Year (under 49 employees): Palladium Training and Consultancy Ltd; PK Safety; Mountain Celebrations Ltd; J R Gilbert Engineering.
Start-Up Business of the Year: Signum-Health Ltd; Panda Education and Training Ltd; Mountain Celebrations Ltd; J R Gilbert Engineering.
Welsh ICE Business of the Year Award: ServiceTracker; Wize Virtual Admin; WRi Group; Datris.
Denise Lovering, Chair of Caerphilly Business Forum, said: “Twenty-seventeen is proving to be a remarkable year for businesses in the region, as testified by both the volume and calibre of entries received this year.
“Caerphilly has a buoyant business community that is attracting interest from across South East Wales.
“From ambitious and fast-growing start-ups to nationally and internationally recognised businesses across a multitude of sectors, the region’s appeal as a business destination of choice is increasing.
“This is evidenced by the diversity of those businesses that have been shortlisted this year.
“The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards are not only a celebration of the great work and achievements of the region’s businesses, they serve as a reminder to the rest of Wales that great businesses and great business communities exis throughout the country.”