The boss of the new Blenheim Palace Oxfordshire Business of the Year paid tribute to the support of family, staff and the county’s business community for making the firm’s success possible.
Richard Howe, managing director of Allmakes 4X4, based at Milton Park, near Didcot, said: “I would like to thank my family and everyone in the Oxfordshire business community who has supported us.
“It has been very much a team effort and winning means a tremendous amount.”
Allmakes 4X4, which specialises in the supply of Land Rover parts and accessories to more than 90 countries aroud the world, was founded in 1977 but since being bought out by its management in 2001, it has enjoyed major growth employing 107 people and won a Queens Award for Enterprise in April.
The company also won the NatWest Large Business Award at the gala awards event attended by 500 guests at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford.
The Shaw Gibbs Business Person of the Year was Paul Lindley, founder of Henley-based organic baby food business Ella’s Kitchen.
He set up his business following the birth of his daughter Ella when he realised there was a gap in the market for healthy food for babies. Now he distributes his range to supermarkets all over the country.
Mr Lindley said: “I am really proud and humbled to receive this award — it is brilliant to feel such a major part of the Oxfordshire business community.
“I have a really inspirational team of 35 people who have all helped with this.”
Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas was also celebrating after picking up the Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person of the Year title.
Mr Thomas said: “It is a fantastic testament to the hard work of everyone in the club. This is not my award, it belongs to the football club and we should be proud of what we have achieved on and off the pitch.”
One of the smallest organisations to win on the night was SpecialEffect <<ok>> which took The Oxford Times Charity and Community category.
The Charlbury-based charity supplies special video games that have been adapted so that users can even play them just by moving their eyes.
Team member Alison Hilborne said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed to win. We have come a long way in a very short time and it will help us expand our projects.”
Founder Dr Mick Donegan added: “Our staff have had a tremendous impact and now we can help more people improve their quality of life.”
And the winner of the B-Line Customer Care award was RM Education which employs 1,200 staff at Milton Park.
Customer experience executive Joanne Giles said: “We are a local firm which engages in many local activities, so it was an absolute pleasure and delight to win.”
It was also a double delebration for RM as its co-founder, Michael O’Regan, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
ROLL OF HONOUR: Blenheim Palace Business of the Year: Allmakes 4X4, Milton Park
Shaw Gibbs Business Person of the Year: Paul Lindley, Ella’s Kitchen, Henley
Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person of the Year: Kelvin Thomas, Oxford United, Oxford
The Locus/Oxfordshire County Council Sustainability Award: Bekstone, Burford
The Oxford Times Charity and Community Award: SpecialEffect, Charlbury
The Blue by Darbys New Business Award: Polythene UK, Witney
The NatWest Large Business Award: Allmakes 4X4, Milton Park
The Oxford Brookes University and Business School Innovation Award: Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Witney
The Bottle PR Social Media Award: Jack FM, Oxford
The Four Pillars Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Award: Aston Pottery, Aston
The Heart Small Business Award: Sporn Construction, Stratton Audley
The Ice Energy Renewable Business Award: Lime Technology, Milton Park
The Champion Recruitment Training and Staff Care Award: Integration Technology, Upper Heyford
The B-Line Customer Care Award: RM Education, Milton Park
The Champion Recruitment Training and Staff Care Award: Integration Technology, Upper Heyford
Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael O’Regan, RM Education
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