More finalists than ever - 37 - are in the running for this year's 2011 Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA).

 

The introduction of three new categories has led to another rise in the number of finalists, selected from hundreds of entries. Also, the judges were impressed by their high calibre.

 

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:

“We’ve had another fantastic response to these awards this year and I’m really pleased to see how many different types of business have made it to the finals. The quality of entrants has been superb again and the finalists can all be extremely proud of themselves. I wish everybody the very best of luck.”

 

Geraldine Allinson, Chairman, KM Group said:
“I would like to congratulate all of this year's finalists,The quality of this entrants was extremely high and I know that the judges had a tough time whittling the entries down to these impressive companies and individuals. It is great to see businesses from across the whole county represented in this list of KEiBA Finalists. Getting this far is truly a recognition of excellence. We now wait, with baited breath, to see who actually are the winners of this outstanding accolade. I wish them all ' good luck' and look forward to meeting many of them on 30 June in Folkestone."

 

All of the entries went through a rigorous judging process, which rated entrants against pre-set criteria to select a shortlist for each category. The judges then visited the short-listed entrants to carry out a more in-depth investigation through face-to-face interviews before selecting the list of finalists.

 

The awards ceremony will be held at Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, on 30 June where winners will be announced and presented with a coveted glass trophy. It’s hoped that the awards will also boost staff morale and help attract new staff. Winning an award will also help businesses raise their profile in Kent.

KEiBA is staged and produced by Kent County Council and the KM Group and aims to recognise excellence in business across Kent and Medway.

 

There are 12 categories this year to recognise companies of all sizes as well as individual awards.

 

The finalists from each categories are - in alphabetical order (company name or surname)

 

Apprenticeship of The Year

Zoe Chatfield - Recruitment Genius

Paul Pettitt - Redec Ltd

Ellora Scriven - My Fur Lady Dog and Cat Grooming Parlour

 

Best Business from the Creative Industries

Animate and Create

The World Famous Fireworkers Ltd

We Love ...

 

Best Leisure and Tourism Business

Broadhembury Holiday Park

The Historic Dockyard, Chatham

The Better Body Shop

 

Best Science and / or Technology Business

Aquaread Ltd

Bedfont Scientific Ltd

Recruitment Genius

 

Business Commitment to the Environment

Bluewater

Ecosan Services Ltd

The M J Allen Group of Companies

 

Customer Service and Commitment

Avenue Income Team

English Wines Group plc

The British Assessment Bureau

 

Employer of The Year

Carousel Logistics

Holiday Extras

S Lucas Ltd

 

Entrepreneur of the Year

Lynn James - Quay Assessment Training Ltd -

Kenny Thew - Ideal Waste Paper Company Ltd -

Sonja Wood - Ecosan Services Ltd

 

Large Business of the Year

Carousel Logistics Ltd

Countrystyle Group

Reeves

 

SME Business of the Year

Bedfont Scientific Ltd

Component Force Ltd

ID&C Ltd

We Love...

 

Start Up Business of the Year

Aquaread Ltd

Blue Skies School

Recruitment Genius

 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Owen Hunnam - Vine Publishing Ltd

Luke Quilter - Sleeping Giant Media

Dan Richards - Animate & Create