More than ever, a night to celebrate the very best

When we started our Business Excellence Awards 20 years ago,evenwehad no idea how they would grow to become such a major event. Pandemics aside, they have become a staple of the local business calendar.

And this year they coincide with the end of the Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week, of which The News is a proud partner.

And what could be a more fitting end to the five days of this marvellous event which is all about businesses helping each other to grow, than these awards?

From the Young Entrepreneur of the Year – won by

Henry Brenton, to Large Businessof TheYear–takeabow Carrington West, via Start-Up

Business of the Year – hello Southsea Laser Clinic, this night highlights the great and the good in the business world.

It shines a light on those companies and businesses who are raising the bar for others.

And it’s not just the organisations, it’s also about the individuals, as is demonstrated with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to Mark Pembleton for his sterling work as economic growth manager at Portsmouth City Council.

It has of course been an exceptionally difficult two years in the business world – as it has for everyone.

There have been seismic changes in the way we work, and whole sectors have had to adapt with individual businesses needing to pivot, sometimes into entirely different fields, just to survive.

They have been incredibly tough times.

And that is why nights like this are more important than ever – a hearty pat on the back for those who deserve it, and can shout: ‘We’re still here!’

We would also like to thank our many sponsors, without whom the awards would not take place at all.