Finalists announced for Somerset Business Awards 2023

14 February 2023

The finalists have been announced for this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards 2023, after judges spent hours whittling down the huge number of entries for the 2023 awards, which are run annually by Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

The 2023 shortlisted nominees come from all corners of the county, including Wellington, Weston-super-Mare, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Langport, Axbridge, Ilminster, Wedmore, Bridgwater, Taunton, Somerton, Sparkford, Roadwater, Highbridge, Westbury sub Mendip, Mark, Martock, Wrington, Burrowbridge and Frome.

This year is the 18^th anniversary of the awards, which are again supported by main sponsor Albert Goodman. The grand final will be hosted by BBC Somerset presenter and journalist Claire Carter at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on March 24, 2023.

Tickets for the final will go on general sale on Monday, February 27 – for more details see the awards’ website at www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered the awards and said the most hotly contested categories had included Medium Business of the Year, Service Excellence and Charity of the Year.

She said: “Despite some really challenging trading conditions, it’s been incredibly encouraging to see so many positive applications from business and charities from across the county – they are doing some great work and we are honoured to be able to highlight that through these awards.

“The finalists have come from across the county, representing a wide range of sectors and industries so the final will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their many achievements.”

Michael Cahill, a Partner at Albert Goodman, added: “Over our many years as main sponsor, we’ve seen some excellent businesses enter the awards and then go on to even greater things. The awards are a great opportunity to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business.”

The 2023 finalists are:

• Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman):

Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

JH Haskins, Shepton Mallet

Mark One Consultants Ltd, Yeovil

• Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Enterprise South West):

Hullabaloos Drinks, Axbridge

Transformations Hair, Beauty, Aesthetics & Day Spa, Ilminster

You Are My Sunshine, Wedmore

• Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Higos Insurance Services):

Elliott Environmental Services Ltd, Yeovil

Puxton Park, Weston-super-Mare

Train4All Ltd, Somerton

• Large Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial):

Civils Store Ltd, Shepton Mallet

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Sycamore Process Engineering, Sparkford

• Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson):

Adapt Biogas Ltd, Shepton Mallet

Cardstream, Taunton

Presona UK Ltd, Bridgwater

• Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott):

bibic, Langport

In Charley’s Memory, Highbridge

Reminiscence Learning, Wellington

• Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions):

Singer Instruments, Roadwater

The Priory Learning Trust, Weston-super-Mare

WPA, Taunton

• Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C):

MMES 2012 Ltd, Bridgwater

Turnbull Infrastructure & Utilities Ltd, Bridgwater

Young Somerset, Bridgwater

• Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative):

Blossom HR, Westbury sub Mendip

Laurel Farm Glamping, Mark

Scarlett Rose Events, Martock

• Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Weston College):

Will Olbrechts (Evosite Ltd, Taunton)

Jo Harris (Somerset County Council, Taunton)

Sammy Chilcott (Sycamore Process Engineering, Sparkford)

• Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity):

Bradfords, Yeovil

Concept Products Ltd, Somerton

PVA Hygiene Ltd, Wrington

• Service Excellence (sponsored by Stephens Scown):

Busy Bees Cleaning & Maintenance 2000 Ltd, Frome

Milsted Langdon, Taunton

West Country Drainage Services Ltd, Burrowbridge

• Somerset Manufacturer and Producer Award (sponsored by SRD Technology UK):

Hullabaloos Drinks, Axbridge

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton

Taunton Fabrication, Taunton

• Rebuild and Thrive (sponsored by Barclays):

Hippychick, Bridgwater

Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton

The White Feather Coffee Co, Bridgwater