Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent
(This award is not open to nominations)

WINNER: Mark Quinn, Chairman/CEO, Quinn Estates

Category description:
The Outstanding Contribution to Business in Kent Award will be presented to a person who lives or works in the County and has owned or run a business or business based organisation here for a prolonged period of time.

The recipient will be a well-known name in the County, someone the community admires and is inspired by, they will have added to the economy of Kent by creating jobs and utilising the supply chain and they will also give back to the community in some way be it charity, business advice or education.

This person will not be rewarded for doing their job or running their own company alone.

This will be judged by a panel from Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsors are not eligible to win this award whilst they are sponsoring. 

Sponsored by: Kent County Council

Business of the Year 2024

WINNER: Kent Crisps Ltd
FINALIST: Horizonscan
FINALIST: Kentish Condiments Ltd

Category description:
This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector.

The business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12-24 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. This should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation and strong leadership.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years by 10th June 2024.

Sponsored by: Brimstone Site Investigation

Construction Project of the Year 2024

WINNER: WW Martin Ltd
Project Name: QEQM Hospital, Margate
FINALIST: East Kent Colleges  Group
Project Name: Ashford Phase 2
FINALIST: Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd
Project Name: Conzenton Park Sport Centre

Category description:
This category is open to any business/organisation working on a regeneration, redevelopment or refurbishment project. The project does not need to be in Kent but the business/organisation must have an office in Kent.

This may include, but is not limited to, projects completed or in the process of completion during 2024.

You do not need to be in the construction industry to qualify for this award.

Projects that have approved planning for 2024 are also eligible.  Entrants should be able to show how the project has provided (or will provide) opportunities for community development and involvement by way of employment, apprenticeships and training.

Please be aware that when submitting your application, that the business/organisation needs to be based in Kent and that the company has been trading for a minimum of two years by 10th June 2024.

Sponsored by: Knights

Employer of the Year 2024

WINNER: East Kent Colleges Group
FINALIST: Devine Direct Labour Ltd
FINALIST: Pentalec Limited

Category description:
This category is open to any business/organisation that can demonstrate commercial success and strategies for growth whilst achieving excellence in its commitment to the support and development of its workforce.

The organisation must show evidence that it has schemes, initiatives and policies which assess, deliver and monitor their workforce’s training and development, health and safety, general wellbeing and where there is an innovative approach to working terms and conditions.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years by 10th June 2024.

Sponsored by: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford

Entrepreneur of the Year 2024

WINNER: Patrick Devine - Devine Direct Labour Ltd
FINALIST: Laura Bounds MBE - Kent Crisps Ltd
FINALIST: Matthew Bridger - Eaglestone Marketing Ltd

Category description:
This category is open to any individual who is instrumental as the business owner or main shareholder in leading their successful business or organisation in reaching its goals and potential, irrespective of size or sector.

This individual must demonstrate they have achieved commercial success, have clear plans, strategies and goals for their business and a strong track record of innovation.

Sponsored by: Oak Creative

Excellence in Customer Service 2024

WINNER: Business Computer Solutions
FINALIST: Advance Facilities Group
FINALIST: Horizonscan

Category description:
This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector.

The business must demonstrate commercial success and strategies for growth whilst achieving excellence in looking after its customers.

The organisation must have objectives for high quality customer service and clear methods of monitoring and evaluating standards. 

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Sponsored by: Azets

Family Business of the Year 2024

WINNER: County Enforcement & Security
FINALIST: Belmont Accommodation
FINALIST: Castle Farm, Kent

Category description:
This category is open to any family business, irrespective of sector and size, that is owned and operated by two or more members of a single family. They must be related either by blood, marriage, civil partnership, cohabitation or adoption.

The family business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12-24 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. This should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation, communication and strong family leadership.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years as of 10th June 2024. No turnover criteria.

Sponsored by: Stagecoach South East

Innovative Business of the Year 2024

WINNER: Inventex
FINALIST: Benenden Hospital
FINALIST: HRGO Recruitment

Category description:
This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector and aims to attract businesses within which innovation or technology is a key element and where the continuous development is a major function of the business.

This is intended to include (but is not be limited to) businesses in the following areas: software and hardware,  e-commerce, digital agencies, manufacturing, IT or telecoms infrastructure, electronics, medical, diagnostic or scientific devices and instrument technologies.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Sponsored by: Crowe

Most Promising New Business 2024

WINNER: TPF Recruitment
FINALIST: Boutique Weddings Kent
FINALIST: Eaglestone Agency

Category description:
This category is open to any business, irrespective of sector.

The business must demonstrate outstanding performance, particularly over the last 12 months, in a number of aspects relating to their business operation. These should include commercial success, clear plans for growth, commitment to staff, local communities, environment and customers, a track record of innovation and strong leadership.

Entrants will also be asked why they set up their business, to outline the challenges they faced and how these have been overcome.

This category is not open to those who have invested in a franchise model in order to start their business (franchisee) but is open to those that have developed their business into a franchise operation (franchisor).

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of one year and less than three years as of the 31st March 2024.

Sponsored by: NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Success in International Trade 2024

WINNER: Kemet International Limited
FINALIST: CurlyEllie Limited
FINALIST: Kent Crisps Ltd

Category description:
This category is open to any organisation, irrespective of size or sector, that is successfully marketing its products or services (including digital export trade) to customers outside the UK, and/or marketing products or services (including those of third parties) domestically.   

Entrants must be able to demonstrate outstanding improvements in commercial performance through export strategies.

The business/organisation will be asked to outline its exporting history; including how this has had a profound effect on business performance, how international strategies have been developed, how products or services have been tailored for overseas or domestic markets, what strategies are in place to overcome language and cultural difficulties, and what creative and innovative marketing activities have been used. 

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Sponsored by: Eurotunnel

Sustainability & Decarbonisation Business of the Year 2024

WINNER: Walker Construction (UK) Ltd
FINALIST: RECLAMET
FINALIST: Zircon AC Group

Category description:
This category is open to any organisation, irrespective of size or sector, that shows that their business is sustainable and that this remains at the core of the business.

You will need to show how your net zero targets are set and how you have ensured they are credible and ambitious.

We would like to see how your three year business plan is created to demonstrate how your business will become net zero.

Entrants must have been trading for a minimum of two years.

Sponsored by: MidKent College