In the run up to the 23rd GloucestershireLive Business Awards 2021 which is now rapidly approaching, we hosted the finalists for a celebratory evening which gave us the opportunity to speak to the finalists about what it means to them to be shortlisted.
The celebratory evening for the finalists took place here at Chargrove House which was also attended by the category sponsors and organisers of the GloucestershireLIve Business Awards, Reach Plc. It was a chance for everyone to get together to meet and congratulate the finalists ahead of the Awards ceremony and raise a glass to acknowledge the successes despite the obvious challenges of the past 18 months.
This year’s event was well attended and felt even more special since it’s the first event we have hosted since lockdown last year. The gazebo by the side of the building enabled guests to gather socially-distanced outside as well as in our spacious conference room. Guests greeted each other in various different ways; from fist bumps and elbow taps to the more traditional hand shake, and even the occasional hug.
Tim Watkins, our Managing Partner, and Hannah Baker, South West Editor of BusinessLive, each made a short speech, after which the guests enjoyed individually boxed canapés supplied by Hedleys Catering and stayed to catch up with, or get to know, the other finalists and sponsors.
The GloucestershireLive Business of the Year award
Open to any company with 25 or more employees from the Gloucestershire area, the Business of the Year award is there to recognise businesses that have excelled in a variety of areas. The award takes into account the innovation and success of the company over the last 6 to 12 months, how well it’s done at weathering the coronavirus pandemic, plans for growth in 2021 – and how the company has had a positive impact on the local area.
We spoke to the four finalists to find out what it means to them to be shortlisted:
AP Air Europe Ltd, Gary Watling, Manager
To be nominated for Business of the Year means a great deal to us. We love being based in Gloucestershire and try to be a positive business for the community. We’d like to thank all our employees for all their hard work to get here.
CGT Lettings, Angharad Trueman, Managing Director
It is absolutely wonderful to be named as finalists in the Business of the Year category, this is a culmination of 34 years of hard work for CGT and its dedicated and loyal team. We are very proud to be a Gloucestershire based business, providing jobs to 45 staff across the county. We have all been on a great journey over the last few years and so, we are all thrilled for this to be recognised with these awards. As we adapt, grow and reach new heights, I cannot wait to see what’s next for CGT.
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 the Business of the Year as well as the Business in the Face of Adversity Special award.”
Spirax Sarco, Greg Godfrey-Williams, UK Supply General Manager
It means a lot for Spirax-Sarco to be shortlisted for these awards. We have a long history in Gloucestershire and are very proud of our business and the people that make it a success. Being finalists in a number of the categories is recognition in itself of what a great company we work for.
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.
