IW Chamber of Commerce Business Awards evening

By IW Observer.co.uk May 15, 2022
Steve Holbrook (left) and the Tops Mops team

The IW Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, one of the biggest Island events of the year, took place last Friday (May 6) at Cowes Yacht Haven, the first time the awards have been presented since 2019.

The venue was packed with business representatives, who were busy networking and enjoying getting back together after the enforced absence.

WightFibre were the main sponsors of the awards evening, with comic magicians Griffin and Jones hosting.

In total, there were 52 nominations from 39 Island Businesses.

Tops Mops were named Island Business of the Year and received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

The presentation of the award followed a moving video telling how the management and staff of the company had carried on working throughout the pandemic, including taking over responsibility for cleaning areas of St Mary’s Hospital for the NHS.

The President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution was won by Alec Dabell of Vectis Ventures and IW Chamber Member of the Year was All Things Printed, who had done so much to support other member businesses, with no benefit to themselves.

In a surprise twist during the ceremony, the chamber’s president, John Allen presented CEO Steve Holbrook and his team with a special award for going ‘above and beyond’ to help Island businesses during the pandemic.

 

The full list of winners for 2022:
Start up Business of the Year – Winner: J&B Wholesale. Entrepreneurship Award – Winner: Isle of Wight Cocktail Co. Customer Service Award – Winner: Top Mops; Highly commended: BeCalmed. Business in the Community Award – Winner: Island Roads Highly Commended: Storeroom 2010 and Vectis Radio. Workplace Health and Well-Being Award – Winner: Gurit UK; Highly Commended: Yokogawa Marex. Training and Development Award – Winner: Lifeline; Highly Commended: Nosy. Environment and Sustainability Award – Winner: Liz Earle. Technology and Innovation Award – Winner: Datum Electronics. Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year – Adgestone Vineyard. Manufacturing and Export Business of the Year – Winner: Vikoma. Made on the Isle of Wight Award – Winner: Blackgang Chine; Highly Commended: Something Blue. Launched in 2021 Award – Winner: Skates Roller Rink. Growth Business of the Year – Winner: Garlic Farm. Micro Business of the Year – Winner: William Eikos. Small Business of the Year – Winner: Diametric. IW Chamber Member of the Year – Winner: All Things Printed. IW Chamber President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution – Winner: Alec Dabell, Vectis Ventures. IW Chamber Business of the Year – Winner: Tops Mops.