By Press Release
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards with WightFibre were presented last Friday at Cowes Yacht Haven, hosted by comedian and TV presenter, Shappi Khorsandi.
“The Isle of Wight is everyone’s best kept secret,” Shappi said. “It’s my favourite place and it’s so good to be able to celebrate with everyone here tonight.”
Datum Electronics won the highly coveted Business of The Year award, having earlier won the Manufacturing & Export Business of the Year award. In an emotional speech, Datum’s managing director, James Lees, paid tribute to his East Cowes team, for their support in enabling record growth and turnover in 2022.
WightFibre’s John Irvine was presented with the President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution, reflecting the success of the Gigabit Island project. WightFibre also won Customer Service award and Employer of The Year award.
It was a strong night for the Island’s manufacturing sector, with key awards won by Yokogawa Marex, Vikoma International and Parlex Johnson Electric.
The tourism and hospitality sector was well represented too, with wins for Visit Isle of Wight, The Island Holiday Company, The Seaview Hotel & Restaurant and JR Zone.
Steven Holbrook, the chamber’s CEO, said: “It’s been another amazing night for the Island’s business community. It’s a huge thrill to see so many great businesses celebrating in each other’s success. There are so many great stories here but, as ever, the big winner is the Isle of Wight, where Island businesses are thriving.”
Full list of award nominees – sponsors in brackets, winners in bold:
Start Up Business of the Year (PC Consultants): Crepe Lovers, The Island Holiday Company, Wight Coaches Ltd.
Entrepreneurship (Liz Earle Beauty Co.): JR Zone – Sandra Knowles, Medina Publishing, Wooldridge Interiors.
Made on the Isle of Wight (Red Funnel): Quarr Abbey, Visit Isle of Wight.
Community (Hovertravel): MAD-Aid, Natural Enterprise, Tidal Family Support.
Customer Service Award (Ascensos): Liz Earle Beauty Company, Preziosa Dachshunds, W Hurst & Son, WightFibre.
Training and Development (Hillbans Pest Control): Vectis Ventures, Vestas, Yokogawa Marex.
Environment and Sustainability (IFPL): Betapak Ltd, Datum Electronics Ltd, Vikoma International Limited.
Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year (Visit Isle of Wight): Art Deco HouseUK, Luccombe Hall Hotel, The Seaview Hotel & Restaurant, The Wellington Hotel.
Technology and Innovation (Lifeline Alarms): IFPL Group, Innovative Physics, Parlex Johnson Electric, Vestas.
Employer of the Year (Diametric Technical Ltd): Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, Datum Electronics,
Vestas, WightFibre, WRS Systems.
Manufacturing & Export Business of the Year (GKN Aerospace Cowes): Datum Electronics Ltd, IFPL Group, MedTec Design Services
Growth Business of the Year (WRS Systems): Churchers, JR Zone, Ry’s
Business Social Impact award (Wightfibre): MADVIK, Medina Publishing Ltd, Red Squirrel Property Shop, Southern Vectis, W Hurst & Son.
Micro Business of the Year (Gurit): Art Deco HouseUK, Hillbans Pest Control, Isleofwight.com, JR Zone, J&B Wholesale Ltd, Wed & Prosper.
Small Business of the Year (Wightlink): Captiva Homes, Medina Publishing Ltd, The Island Holiday Company
Member of the Year: WRS Systems.
President’s Cup – Outstanding Contribution: John Irvine – WightFibre.
Business of the Year: Datum Electronics.
