Best in the West announced at Ones to Watch business awards

Author
Fay Daniels
Marketing Manager - Contracts | Business West
30th January 2020

Nine of the West of England’s most exciting and inspirational entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs, were crowned winners last night at the first Enterprising West of England ‘Ones to Watch 2020’ awards.

Held at Bristol Old Vic, West of England businesses including 101 Data Solutions, Danielle Neill Designs, My Cookie Dough, Divine Healthcare Solutions and Sweet Construct scooped a range of prizes from most inspirational BAME Business Leader and the Young Person in Business award, to best Female Business Leader and regional contribution recognitions.

Brett Edgecombe, Managing Director at 101 Data Solutions, which scooped the overall West of England award as well as the Bath and North East Somerset award said:

“My team and I are delighted that we have been named as the West of England’s most promising business for 2020.

The West of England is a hotbed of entrepreneurial talent and competition so we are delighted to be recognised for our contribution.

I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication for enabling our continued success.”

James Durie, Chief Executive of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West - the organiser of the event - comments:

“The awards ceremony showcased the brightest entrepreneurial talent the West of England has to offer, providing shortlisted businesses a platform to go from strength to strength.

“Being recognised as an Enterprising West of England One to Watch – a programme funded by The European Regional Development Fund – is an impressive accolade which will boost business’ brand awareness, act as a differentiator in the marketplace and help to attract the new talent required to grow.”

The night also saw inspirational talks from Poku Osei, Babbasa and Nick Hounsfield, The Wave Bristol. The awards were put together to celebrate and recognise the businesses and their leaders that we think have great things to offer now, and in the future. All the winners and shortlisters have been supported by the Enterprising West of England programme.

The award winners in full were:

  • North Somerset: Sweet Construct Ltd

  • Bath and North East Somerset: 101 Data Solutions Ltd 

  • Bristol: Waste Source

  • South Gloucestershire: British Corner Shop

  • Overall West of England Winner: 101 Data Solutions

  • Contribution to the Place of the West of England: Bath Carnival

  • Young Person in Business: Ricki Ghali - Cookie Dough Retail

  • BAME Business Leader: Farayi Gwenzi - Divine Healthcare Business Solutions

  • Female Business Leader: Danielle Neill - Danielle Neill Designs

  • Leader of Environmentally Sustainable Business: Kath Senior – EcoStardust

The Enterprising West of England programme has been running since 2017 and supports SMEs across the West of England, It is funded by The European Regional Development Fund and delivered in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Prince’s Trust, the YTKO Group, Cool Ventures, NSEA, Planet Mark Start.

You can see photos from the night on the Business West Facebook page here.

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