The 23rd GloucestershireLive Business Awards was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic which was an unprecedented and challenging time for businesses and their people, a time during which efforts needed to be recognised through two new awards.
Recognising the contribution that individual people make to the business community through the Best Employee and Young Business Person of the Year catergories is always an important part of the awards but it was felt that the 2021 awards needed to acknowledge where Gloucestershire businesses and their people had gone the extra mile for their business as well as the wider community. Therefore two new categories were created; GloucestershireLive Local Business Hero sponsored by Wembley Partners and the GloucestershireLive Business in the Face of Adversity Special Award sponsored by EESI Group Services who won GloucestershireLive Business of the Year in 2019.
GloucestershireLive Local Business Hero
The Local Business Hero is recognition to those who have gone above and beyond to help their local community and have stood out in these difficult times. The three finalists include Chris York of The Royal Oak in Tetbury, Paul Dixon of Mill House Care & Dementia Home (also a finalist of best employee) and Jake & Luke McMahon of Little Monsters Rugby.
Paul Dixon, Mill House Care and Dementia Care Home, Hospitality & Activities Manager/Local Liaison
I am amazed to have been shortlisted in two categories, we are looking forward to a wonderful evening, the care industry has had a very tough time, so I am delighted to be representing the industry in such prestigious awards.
Jake & Luke McMahon, Little Monsters Rugby
It’s great to be recognised for such a prestigious award, in what has been such an awful, strange and hard year for many. I am so glad we were in a position to give and more importantly, did give. We are very proud and humbled to be in the final, we will use the platform to continue to help others and engage more children into rugby.
GloucestershireLive Business In The Face Of Adversity Special Award
Another new category, this award will go to a business who went the ‘extra mile’ during the agonising months of lockdown. The winner will have demonstrated excellence under pressure that not only helped their own company but also benefited business or demographic communities during this time. The finalists include Gloucester City AFC, Goose & Gander, Spirax Sarco and The Cheltenham Trust.
The Cheltenham Trust, Laurie Bell, CEO
As a not for profit charity, The Cheltenham Trust faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the Covid19 pandemic. As an organisation we adopted an entrepreneurial approach and adapted, innovated, responded, survived and above all else grew. In 2021, our aim is to recover and build on the hard won achievements of the past year. We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as a finalist for Glos Live Business of the Year and Business in the Face of Adversity special award.
GloucestershireLive Best Employee Award
The Employee of the Year award celebrates someone who really makes a difference to their business and who deserves recognition. This year’s finalists include Benjamin Craig of InfoSec People, Paul Dixon of Mill House Care and Dementia Care Home
and Remi Ashton of Ocere Ltd (for the second year running, as pictured having won the award in 2019).
Benjamin Craig, InfoSec People
Being a finalist means the world to me. Being someone who at times felt a little lost in my early career, being here today and in contention to win this award has made me incredibly proud of myself and it has reinforced the fact that no matter where you have come from, if you work really hard you can achieve the unthinkable.
Remi Ashton – Sales Director, Ocere Ltd
To have been nominated again felt a little surreal. But then to have been shortlisted made me feel extremely proud and very honoured. The past 12 months or so have been extremely tough (for everyone) but the team at Ocere have not let this stop them put some huge efforts in, month on month. I am very much looking forward to the awards evening and would just like to wish all finalists the best of luck.
GloucestershireLive Young Business Person Of The Year
This award is for business people under the age of 35 who have demonstrated a high degree of entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future. This year’s finalists include Danny Matthews of Danny&co., Oliver Bruce of PinPoint Media and Oliver White & Marian Hewish of Goose & Gander.
Oliver Bruce, PinPoint Media
After such a turbulent year for so many to be recognised as a finalist makes all the long hours and determination worth it! Congratulations to the others in my category.
The GloucestershireLive Business Awards are taking place in The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse and will commence from 6.30pm on Wednesday 15th September. Join us as we bring together the Gloucestershire business community to celebrate our 2021 business champions who have gone above and beyond in the face of adversity. Tickets are available from their website.
