Hundreds of business leaders and staff came together for the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2019, as winners from its 14 categories were announced.
The black-tie dinner – held at the John Henry Brookes Building at Oxford Brookes University on Friday night – was attended by about 500 guests, representing businesses from a variety of sectors.
It was hosted by TV personality Rory Bremner, who won lots of laughs with his impressions of well-known politicians including US President Donald Trump and would-be Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Since its launch in 1994, the ‘OXBA’ has recognised the achievements of thousands of businesses from right across Oxfordshire, including accolades for new businesses, small businesses and the county’s larger businesses.
READ AGAIN: Finalists shortlisted for the 2019 Oxfordshire Business Awards
Finalists for this year’s awards were announced at the beginning of May, following a record number of award applications.
The Oxfordshire Business Awards at Oxford Brookes University are well under way pic.twitter.com/dsp69BL9zv
— Andrew Ffrench (@OxMailAndyF) June 14, 2019
The 25th OXBA was sponsored by 14 of the county’s leading businesses, with a wide range of accolades, including awards celebrating innovation, plus a charity and community award.
The winner of a 14th category – the Hawkins Business of the Year Award – was chosen from all the winners and finalists across the 13 award categories, and went to property and construction consultants Ridge & Partners LLP.
Partner Graham Blackburn said: "We are very proud indeed to join such an illustrious list of winners."
For the second year running guests used an app to vote for The Oxford Times Charity and Community Award, with youth intervention charity One-Eighty winning the most votes.
Development manager Rebekah Sammut said: "This recognition will help raise our profile - all our staff work very hard - this is amazing."
Chairman of the awards Paul Lowe said: “What an unbelievable night - it's brought everyone together.
"We would like to congratulate all of the winners at this year’s OXBA.
“For 25 years, the OXBA have championed businesses and those individuals who have made a positive impact in Oxfordshire and this year’s awards have been no exception.
“Winning an OXBA brings genuine recognition and acknowledgement among peers, so all of tonight’s winners should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
Nigel Tipple, chief executive of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership – sponsor of the New Business Award, taken home on the night by Sensyne Health, said the OXBA reflected the county’s thriving business community.
Sensyne Health's Lord Drayson, who won special recognition on the night for his contribution to business in the county, said it had been a 'fantastic evening'.
Mr Tipple added: “The OXBA create an opportunity to celebrate business across the county and it has an impact not just on our economy but also on the opportunities companies create for thousands of people on a daily basis.
“Congratulations to all winners and finalists in what has been a memorable evening.”
This year’s winners and finalists were as follows:
The Oxford Times Charity and Community Award
WINNER: One-Eighty
Witney Music Festival
Transition by Design
The Hays Employer of The Year Award
WINNER: Nielsen
Oodle Car Finance
Abingdon & Witney College
The Oxford Science Park Innovation Award
WINNER: Oxford Biomedica
Fuel3D
Exscientia
The Oxfordshire LEP New Business Award
WINNER: Sensyne Health
Common Ground
SWJ Consulting
The Knights Small Business Award
WINNER: Imaginera
High Spec Composites
TOAD
The NatWest Large Business Award
WINNER: Nicholsons
Ridge & Partners LLP
Planet IT
The Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person of The Year Award
WINNER: Sarah Jaycock, High Spec Composites
Daniel Weston, Mathews Comfort
Toby Crawford, Imaginera
The CIS Technology Excellence Award
WINNER: Cognitant
Royal Cars
Brethertons LLP
The Heart Best Visitor Experience Award
WINNER: Cotswold Wildlife Park
TOAD
Hook Norton Brewery
The Brita Green Award
WINNER: Restore
Oxford Wood Recycling
Montala
The Syndicut Marketing Excellence Award
WINNER: Fuel3D
Sesui
Aston & James
The Bicester Village Retail Award
WINNER: William Powell
Coles Books
Loft
The Shaw Gibbs Business Person of The Year Award
WINNER: Paul Morrow, British Bakels
Daniel Geoghegan, Bicester Heritage
Paul Drayson, Sensyne Health
The Hawkins Business of the Year Award
WINNER: Ridge & Partners LLP
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