Partner with us for Devon's biggest business celebration
The Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Awards will return on Friday 17 May, 2024 – and your business has the opportunity to partner with us on what promises to be another unforgettable night of celebration, recognising and honouring excellence in business of all sizes and sectors.
You and your company has the opportunity to take centre stage next year when we reveal our 12 incredible category winners and celebrate our 30 Under 30 rising stars. Scroll down to find out more.
There are plenty of ways to get involved and support our Chamber Awards in 2024 – click the button below to see our full brochure, which also contains details about tickets and nominations.
Next year’s Awards: Friday 17 May, 2024
2024 AWARDS CATEGORIES AND PARTNERS
The Problem Solver
RESERVED!
An organisation that has transformed the market they work in with their product or service.
The Game Changer
RESERVED!
An individual who has transformed an idea into a successful, sustainable business by understanding their market’s key challenges, customers and the competitive landscape.
The Equality Trailblazer
RESERVED!
An organisation that champions diversity and promotes inclusion within their workforce, their customers and any community outreach work.
The Community Champion
RESERVED!
An organisation that facilitates, participates, and enables community engagement, demonstrating the power of giving back.
The Rapid Riser
An organisation that can demonstrate exceptional levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.
In partnership with GA Solicitors
The Workforce Developer
RESERVED!
A business that has shown how their approach to the learning and development of their team has enhanced their business performance.
The Global Player
A business that has demonstrated significant and sustained international growth or facilitated trade through a clear understanding of overseas markets, proving that borders are not a barrier to trade.
The Planet Saver
RESERVED!
This award recognises organisations with sustainability at the heart of their business. They are fully committed to sustainable best practice and making the world a better and safer place.
Digital Business of the Year
An organisation that works in the digital sector, has embraced a digital culture or undergone a digital transformation and can demonstrate growth as a result.
Start Up Business of the Year
A start-up organisation that has already demonstrated their commitment to their people, the planet and their purpose making an impact on their local community.*
*Must have been established after 1 January 2022
The Steve Whiteway Award
RESERVED!
Our former director Steve dedicated his life to helping others and made an everlasting impact on Plymouth, raising thousands for charity. This award is presented to the individual who has made the most significant individual contribution to the community, either the business or wider community.
If you would like to partner on one of the remaining Award categories, please email events@devonchamber.co.uk or call 01752 273880.
2023 AWARDS FINALISTS AND PARTNERS
Honouring the best of Devon business
Our Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Awards 2023 at The New Continental Hotel provided an unforgettable night of celebration as we honoured the county’s leading businesses and entrepreneurs.
Our unsuspecting winners were revealed throughout the ceremony by our hosts, Nadine Mashingaidze from the University of Exeter and Fresh Air Studios’ Paul Philpott, who kept everyone entertained throughout. Scroll down to see all our winners and finalists.
A huge thank you to our Chamber Awards partners – Azets, Classic Builders, GA Solicitors, Marsh Commercial, Plymouth Citybus, University of Plymouth, Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, Wildanet and YGS Landscapes Ltd – as well as the talented team at PL1 Events for their support on the night.
We were also thrilled to welcome a number of winners from our 30 Under 30 campaign, in partnership with Babcock International Group. Meet all our winners here.
2023 Highlights
The Problem Solver
Business Diversification Award
A business that shows strong evidence of adaptability and diversification and clear business, partner and social objectives.
In partnership with Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Planet Saver
Green Business of the Year
This award recognises organisations with sustainability at the heart of their business. They are fully committed to sustainable best practice and making the world a better and safer place.
In partnership with GA Solicitors
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Workforce Developer
Commitment to People Award
A business that has shown how their approach to the learning and development of their team has enhanced their business performance.
In partnership with YGS Landscapes
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Game Changer
Entrepreneur of the Year
An individual who has transformed an idea into a successful, sustainable business by understanding their market’s key challenges, customers and the competitive landscape.
In partnership with the University of Plymouth
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Global Player
Export Business of the Year
A business that has demonstrated significant and sustained international growth through a clear understanding of overseas markets, proving that borders are not a barrier to trade.
In partnership with Azets
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Equality Trailblazer
Diversity and Inclusion Award
An organisation that champions diversity and promotes inclusion – in their workforce, their customers and any community outreach work.
In partnership with Classic Builders
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Community Champion
Community Business of the Year
An organisation that facilitates, participates, and enables community engagement, demonstrating the power of giving back.
In partnership with Plymouth Citybus
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Rapid Riser
Small Business of the Year
An organisation that can demonstrate exceptional levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.
In partnership with Marsh Commercial
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
Digital Business of the Year
Awarded to a business that works in the digital sector, has embraced a digital culture or undergone a digital transformation and can demonstrate growth as a result.
In partnership with Wildanet
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
The Steve Whiteway Award
Our former director Steve dedicated his life to helping others and made an ever-lasting impact on Plymouth, raising thousands for charity. The Steve Whiteway Award is presented to the individual who has made the most significant individual contribution to the community, either the business or wider community.
Our 2023 winner
Highly commended
30 UNDER 30
Celebrating all our '30 Under 30' stars
We celebrated the winners from this year’s 30 Under 30 campaign, in partnership with Babcock International Group, during our glittering Chamber Awards ceremony at The New Continental Hotel.
The Devon & Plymouth Chamber partnered with Babcock for the second year running to find and recognise individuals under 30 in Devon who have made a significant impact in the working world.
Joining us as judges for 2023 were Dave Tytherleigh, Aretha Zachlod and Debbie Joce from Babcock International Group, Sharron Robbie from Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network, Rich Adams from University of Plymouth, Steve Warren-Brown from YGS Landscapes Ltd and Lewis Tolputt from Classic Builders.
2021 WINNERS
The very best in entrepreneurship and enterprise joined us on Friday 24 September 2021 for a fabulous night of celebration at the stunning, newly refurbished Schiller Hall at Buckfast Abbey.
We were joined by a number of very special guests – including, of course, our finalists – who were dressed to impress.
After a delicious three-course meal, courtesy of the amazing team at Buckfast Abbey, our winners were crowned, with many more watching the live stream from PL1 Events on our YouTube channel.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to those who kindly donated to our charity partner, The Chestnut Appeal.
Business Diversification Award
Sponsored by Practice Plus Group
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise
This entrant has shown strong evidence of adaptability and diversification and clear business, partner and social objectives throughout the pandemic.
Digital Business of the Year
sponsored by Thomas Westcott
GO South West
This entrant has shown excellent use of digital both internally and to aid the customer experience. This has included introducing some digital measures which continue to put the customer at the forefront of everything they do, and will help customers to keep themselves safe in a post-COVID period.
Export Business of the Year
Sponsored by Western Union
This entrant has shown outstanding growth plans in the export market and exceptional diversification in order to reach foreign markets and capture valuable opportunities in the market.
Entrepreneur of the Year
sponsored by pbmedia
Claire Robinson (Extra Help)
This entrant has shown that in the last 12 months, they have been crucial in supporting vulnerable people, particularly during the pandemic.
James Thomas (JET Engineering)
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Swatpro Academy
This entrant has shown that they have brought on new employees supporting the local jobs market and they all also have the potential for rapid growth outside of the South West and are in growing sectors.
Green Business of the Year
sponsored by Frazer-Nash Consultancy
This entrant has shown that they have set demonstrable and measurable targets for improvement and delivering change.
And a drive to make the ‘green agenda’ central to the way they operate and deliver as a business and not just an afterthought.
Workplace Wellbeing Award
Sponsored by Classic Builders
It is clear that this entrant puts wellbeing at the forefront of what they do in all aspects of the organisation.
Customer Commitment Award
sponsored by Babcock International Group
This entrant has shown an end to end customer experience that monitors the customers changing needs throughout and a truly a multi-sector approach to their business with a clear strategy with customers at its heart.
Steve Whiteway Award
Douglas Kerr
Steve dedicated his life to helping others and made an ever-lasting impact on Plymouth, raising thousands for charity. The Steve Whiteway Award is presented to the individual who has made the most significant individual contribution to the community, either the business or wider community. This entrant has shown selflessness in the face of their own adversity and made a huge difference to the causes he supports and countless individuals.
Sonia and Alex Hosking of Collectrical CIC
Steve Warren-Brown
2020 WINNERS
The event took on a very different form for 2020, but our new, innovative and interactive virtual ceremony delivered all the glitz and glamour of previous years as we honoured the very best of Devon business, entrepreneurship and enterprise.
We were joined by a number of very special guests – including, of course, our finalists – who were dressed to impress and watching live on Zoom. Our unsuspecting winners were revealed throughout the ceremony and then surprised with their prestigious accolades.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to those who kindly donated to our charity partner, Brain Tumour Research, by taking part in the prize draw, which saw our members raise an incredible £940 on the day.
Best Use of Technology
SPONSORED BY PBMEDIA
CMOStores.com
As one of the UK’s leading online suppliers of construction materials, CMOStores.com is the parent company of six successful online stores – CMOTrade, Door Superstore, Drainage Superstore, Insulation Superstore, Roofing Superstore and Tile and Floor Superstore – and sells more than 75,000 products across its sites.
CMOStores is currently working to raise awareness within the industry, enabling more DIY enthusiasts and building contractors to take advantage of shopping for their construction materials online – from competitive prices, huge choice and swift delivery to excellent customer support and expert advice from a trained team.
BluescreenIT
Customer Commitment Award
SPONSORED BY PRACTICE PLUS GROUP
Plymouth Citybus
Plymouth Citybus has experienced an extraordinary few years of innovation and growth and continues to make significant investments as part of its mission to vital transport links, further improve services and help the environment.
The firm’s focus continues to be on supporting its customers, colleagues and the wider community, and it has improved customer satisfaction to a record 93%. That figure was boosted greatly by the restructuring of the customer services department.
Achievement Training
Portcullis Legals
Best Export Business
SPONSORED BY INTERNATIONAL TRADE MATTERS
PECO
PECO is a plastic injection moulding specialist that produces model railway track, kits and accessories for the global model railway market.
As well as supplying an established network of retailers in the UK, the Devon company also has a mature but constantly developing export market, supplying a mixture of specialist wholesale distributors and retailers.
Audax Global Solutions
The Barden Corporation
Rising Star Award
SPONSORED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB EXETER
Ollie Jackman, Taurus
Ollie Jackman is the sales manager at Taurus, an established communications and IT services provider in Exeter that works with a wide range of organisations across the country, predominantly in the South West.
His role requires a huge range of skills, both for driving the team’s performance and for creating a suitable culture and working environment in which everyone can feel appreciated and thrive.
Dr Emily Beaumont
Lorna Gaskin, Imployable
Small Business of the Year
SPONSORED BY THOMAS WESTCOTT
Services Design Solution
Services Design Solution (SDS) is a forward-looking, dynamic construction consultancy specialising in the design of mechanical and electrical engineering systems to buildings.
Based at The Millfields in Plymouth, the firm designs innovative, flexible, energy-efficient solutions to create exceptional environments for living, work or leisure.
Imployable
Valves Online
Best Third Sector Campaign
SPONSORED BY DEVON & PLYMOUTH CHAMBER
St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth
St Luke’s Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care for terminally ill people across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall, looking after patients in their homes or care homes, in hospital and at its specialist unit.
The charity launched its Elmer’s Big Parade campaign to raise awareness of the charity and the vital service it provides. Author David McKee’s beloved creation, Elmer, was transformed into 40 statues, all painted by talented artists far and wide and sponsored by local organisations.
Alexis Bowater
Building Plymouth
