Winners announced for Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards

Over 200 businesspeople from across the district attended the gala evening, which was organised by Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Sedgemoor FM broadcaster Dave Englefield.

The 2023 applicants came from all corners of the district, including Cheddar, Burnham, Bridgwater, North Petherton, Othery, Highbridge & Nether Stowey.

Main event sponsors, Pardoes and Purely Probate, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards.

"We have so many growing, innovative, and prosperous businesses in Sedgemoor and these awards give each business a chance to shine and celebrate their successes at a fantastic night hosted by the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce!

A huge congratulations to all the finalists and the winners – they should be proud of all they have achieved this year.”

Chamber Manager Diogo Rodrigues thanked everyone who had entered.

 “I’m extremely proud of Sedgemoor’s businesses,” he said.

“We were all blown away by the quality of the over 100 entries that we received and what Sedgemoor’s businesses are achieving.

“It was fantastic to be able to honour winners and finalists from all corners of the district and from a wide range of sectors.

“Thank you to everyone who entered the awards and to our judges and sponsors who continue to make these the biggest and best business awards in Sedgemoor.”

Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards 2023 winners and finalists

Large Business of the Year – Sponsored by MMES 2012 LTD

Little Adventures Nursery Group - WINNER: "We strive to do things differently at Little Adventures Nurseries, using innovative technology to put the parent partnership at the heart of everything we do and are delighted to win this award!"

Sansum Solutions Group Limited: “Sansum are delighted to continue to take part in these fantastic awards and having been nominated, yet again, as finalists for the Large Business of the Year Awards.  The Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards afford an opportunity for companies, like ours, to showcase the dedication, hard work and commitment of our fantastic staff at Sansum Solutions Group.”

Sustainable Business of the Year – Sponsored by Astron Fire & Security

Tractors and Cream – WINNER: "It is amazing to be recognised for the part we play in trying make our business as sustainable as possible. We feel so privileged to be part of this amazing event."

Balanced Energy Ltd: "Its fantastic to be a finalist, congratulations to all the winners on the night and the SBA for putting on a incredible evening!"

Presona UK Ltd: "Congratulations to the deserving winners! Heartfelt gratitude to The Chamber and judges for their discerning choices. Your commitment to recognizing excellence contributes immensely to our shared success and growth."

Apprentice/Workplace Trainee of the Year – Sponsored by Bridgwater & Taunton College

Taylor Sealy – West Country Drainage Services – WINNER: "Thank you to Bridgwater chamber of commerce for the opportunity to showcase Taylor. We are delighted to have won and will endeavour to keep our mission alive."

Ruby Paul – ibis Bridgwater

Reece Hurd – Presona UK Ltd

Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year – Sponsored by SDS Limited

Tractors and Cream – WINNER: "It's so wonderful for our glamping site to be recognised amongst some amazing Bridgwater hospitality businesses. A massive thank you to the chamber of commerce for making these awards happen."

TEALS: "We are very proud to have made it into the finals. We are a very young business built in covid and so to have reached the finals is a huge achievement. Thankyou."

ibis Bridgwater: "A huge congratulation to all the winners. We are proud finalists of this category and had a fantastic evening celebrating with all the Sedgemoor businesses at the awards."

Food and Drink Business of the Year – Sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau

Greenway Farm - WINNER

ibis Bridgwater

Dryad Gin: "We are incredibly grateful for this nomination and want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers and supporters. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm for our handcrafted Dryad gin."

Innovative Business of the Year – Sponsored by Maxwells Accountants

Somerset Passenger Solutions – WINNER: "We have a fantastic team, and this award is testament to the dedication, quality and standard of what they do. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce and the judges for recognising our achievements. Well done to all the winners and finalists!"

Presona UK Ltd

West Country Drainage Services

Bridgwater Independent Trader/Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Bridgwater Town Council

Paul Smith Associates – WINNER

ALiSE & Louie

Styles Menswear

New Business of the Year – Sponsored by Gravity

Dryad Gin – WINNER: "It is an honour to receive this recognition for our hard work and dedication to Dryad Gin. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this incredible journey. We are very grateful."

Aspen Waite People: "Being selected for these prestigious awards was a massive surprise and honour for us. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners. It great to see what Somerset can offer!"

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing Limited

Best Employer of the Year – Sponsored by The Outsourced Recruitment Company

Somewhere House Ltd – WINNER: "So Grateful to The Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce for this prestigious award. Amazing for a small team that works quietly to help others get well, be recognised by the community."

Talking Stick Digital

ibis Bridgwater

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Design Hive Ltd

Balanced Energy Ltd – WINNER: "We are delighted to have won the award for Small Business of the Year. Our team work so hard and to be recognised for this is fantastic."

Optimise Workplace Wellbeing Ltd: "Many thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, we are humbled to be shortlisted as finalists for this award.  We continue to advocate the importance of wellbeing in the workplace."

Hurd & Co: "Absolutely thrilled to be a finalist for this prestigious award. It means the world to me, especially because my values are rooted in supporting our local community. Grateful beyond words."

Medium Business of the Year – Sponsored by Maxwells Accountants

Ocean Adventurers Group – WINNER: "At Ocean Adventurers, we push boundaries and challenge traditional norms to be the best indoor play centre in the South-West and we are delighted to win this award at the Business Awards!"

Colour Clad Profiles Ltd

Aardvark Occupational Health: "To have got to the final three in the Medium Business category is something we’re incredibly proud of. To be in the company of such deserving businesses has been fantastic!"

Family Business of the Year – Sponsored by Westcotts

West Country Drainage Services – WINNER: "Thank you to Bridgwater chamber of commerce for the opportunity to showcase our business and help with our mission of increasing trust back into the industry. We are delighted to have won and will endeavour to keep our mission alive. We thank our team and clients for believing in us and sharing this incredible achievement."

Somewhere House: "Made it to the final 3, not bad going for a small company who dedicates it’s time to helping others. In a family feel setting, huge changes are witnessed daily."

Southwest Trade Frames Ltd

Business Champion of the Year – Sponsored by Milsted Langdon

Jason Woodcock – Sansum Solutions Group Ltd – WINNER: "I am absolutely delighted to receive Business Champion of the Year 2023, I would like to thank everyone who have nominated me and supported our continuous progress over the past year."

Olly Cogger – Digital Cogs: "Thank you! It's an amazing privilege to be a finalist for such an award, a huge congratulations to our category's winner, well deserved!"

Leanne Jeanes – West Country Drainage Services

Best use of Marketing Award – Sponsored by HR GO Recruitment

Ruddle Digital – WINNER: "Thank you to the judges and the chamber for the recognition of the work we do for our clients, winning this award validates all of our hard work."

Sedgemoor FM: "Even though we didn’t win the Business Marketing Award, we're proud of the efforts we’ve made in developing relationships with local businesses, sports organisations, and colleges."

Best use of Digital Award – Sponsored by Double Brace

Timeless Images Ltd – WINNER: "Wow we are delighted to have won this award as it shows technology really can help any business and especially a small independent one to thrive in challenging times."

Talking Stick Digital: "Being a finalist at these awards is an incredible achievement in itself, we had very stiff competition, and lost to a worthy winner. But…there’s always next year!"

Quantock Horsebox Hire: "We're so pleased to make it as a finalist and to see that our investment in our booking platform has been worth it. Congratulations to the winners."

Community Engagement Award – Sponsored by Bridgwater Town Team

Fuse Performance and Somerset Outdoor Arts – WINNER: "We are delighted to have won this award. This helps raise awareness of the community and cultural partnerships we work with in Bridgwater.  All of whom help promote the community, local charities, culture, diversity and inclusivity in Bridgwater. Thank you to the Bridgwater Chamber and the judges for recognising our contributions to the community in Bridgwater."

Somewhere House Somerset: "Thankyou Chamber of Commerce and congratulations to the winners of this years awards. We are proud to have made it to the final 3, a great achievement in itself."

Bridgwater United Community Sports Trust: "We are delighted to be nominated for this award that notices the hard work we put in to improve our community, a massive thank you to our staff, BCOC, partners and sponsors and everyone who has supported us."

Customer Service Excellence Award – Sponsored by Qss IT Solutions

West Country Drainage Services – WINNER: "Thank you to Bridgwater chamber of commerce for the opportunity to showcase our business and help with our mission of increasing trust back into the industry. We are delighted to have won and will endeavour to keep our mission alive. We thank our team and clients for believing in us and sharing this incredible achievement."

Sansum Solutions Group Limited

Poolbridge Accountancy Limited: "We are proud to be in the top three. Congratulations to the winner. Thank you Bridgwater Chamber for a fantastic evening and to the fabulous team at Poolbridge Accountancy."