Shining lights of Bridgend business community celebrated at awards ceremony
BRIDGEND Business Forum celebrated the shining lights of the local business community recently, as the winners of the Bridgend Business Forum awards 2018 were revealed at a glittering gala dinner and awards ceremony held at the Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel, Bridgend.
More than 220 business professionals attended the awards ceremony including Carwyn Jones, AM for Bridgend and Patron of Bridgend Business Forum, eager to discover who the all-important winners of the sixth, annual Bridgend business awards sponsored by Rockwool UK and supported by Bridgend County Borough Council would be.
Hosted by BBC presenter and broadcaster, Sian Lloyd, the awards saw nine lucky businesses pick up awards in a range of categories, from Business Student of the Year to the Creative Industries Award. The winners in each category were:
Business Student of the Year, nominated by Bridgend College – Keiron Farr
Start-up Business of the Year – Team 8 Digital Ltd
Service Business of the Year – A&R Contract Cleaning Specialists Ltd
Manufacturing Business of the Year – Engineering Services Ltd
Bridgend Tourism Business of the Year – Porthcawl Bike Hire
Entrepreneur of the Year – Linda Wongham, Assisted Mobility Services
Creative Industries Award – Wales Interactive Ltd
Innovative Business of the Year – Apollo Teaching Services Ltd
Professional Service Business of the Year’ – TSW Training Ltd
Patron’s Commendation Award – Ford Engine Plant, Bridgend
Having scooped two awards on the night, Apollo Teaching Services Ltd also won the overall award – Bridgend Business of the Year 2018.
Angela Painter, director of operations at Apollo said: “Apollo Teaching Services is absolutely thrilled to have won both the Innovative Business of the Year and the overall Bridgend Business of the Year 2018 at the Bridgend Business Forum Awards 2018.
“At Apollo Teaching Services we aim to be at the forefront of new ideas, and we are ecstatic to have been recognised for our innovative new approach to improving communication between supply staff and schools.
“Our new recruitment platform allows schools to book cover staff directly, 24 hours a day.
“Apollo Teaching Services staff are able to download our app, set their availability, and accept bookings on the go.
“We are extremely proud of everything we have achieved since opening in 2006, and these awards are a testament to our ongoing commitment to our schools and staff. We will endeavour to continue to provide a high quality service, while ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of new technology.”
Chair of the forum, Ian Jessopp, said: “It’s been another incredible awards ceremony this year celebrating local success in Bridgend County Borough.
“It truly is amazing to see so many local businesses coming together at this awards night to recognise each other’s achievements.
“I’m also pleased that the Patron’s Commendation award has made a welcome return this year, recognising Ford Engine Plant, Bridgend for its commitment, dedication and longterm investment to the local economy.
“The Bridgend Business Forum Awards are a special occasion and without the high calibre of businesses and individuals here in Bridgend and the support of our sponsors, these awards would not exist. Congratulations to every single one of our winners and I wish them all the very best of luck for the future.”
Deputy Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Cllr Hywel Williams, said: “Once again Bridgend County Borough has demonstrated that it has a vibrant business community with the amount of incredible talent entering the Bridgend Business Forum awards 2018.
“It’s fantastic to see so many business professionals succeed in Bridgend County Borough, with new businesses developing all the time. An example of how Bridgend County Borough is becoming more dynamic and prosperous is the fact that we are now ranked fourth out of 22 Welsh local authorities by the Grant Thornton Vibrant Economy Index, when five years ago we were placed in the bottom half of its table.
“The council is committed to supporting a successful economy and the Bridgend Business Forum Awards are a great way to thank businesses for their contribution in making the county borough a great place to live, work and do business.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Sponsors of the awards included main sponsor Rockwool UK, Aevitas, Development Bank of Wales, EEF The manufacturer’s organisation, Graham Paul Chartered Accountants, Handelsbanken, Harris Bassett, ISA Training, KK Solutions, SME Finance Partners, United Graphic Design, Berry Smith Lawyers and Cymraeg Byd Busnes.
The awards also included a charity collection in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2018/2019, which raised money to support this year’s nominated charities; The Stroke Association, Tenovus Cancer Care, and Parkinson’s.
For more information on the awards and to view the official photos visit Bridgend Business Forum on Facebook or follow @BridgendForum on Twitter.