Finalists revealed for Gloucestershire business awards
The judges have met, the deliberations have been made and the finalists have now been revealed in the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024. You can find out who they are right here!
Dear readers,
Welcome to Monday’s edition of The Raikes Journal. We hope you had a great weekend.
Last week started with a worrying story about Cheltenham Literature Festival losing one of its main sponsors, and ended with two long-read stories about the cyber sector here in Gloucestershire.
The first was an interesting take on just how significant what is going on in the county’s cyber sectors, and the second something of an update on the Golden Valley Development.
Anyone who thought the much-trumpeted Golden Valley scheme is all about cyber should think again. That one was paywalled for our members eyes only. And all three seem to have gone down very well indeed.
We hope you enjoy this week’s offerings too. Don’t forget the diary dates at the foot of the edition either!
Please do continue to bear us in mind for your stories and ideas. Contact andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk or telephone 07956 926061.
* Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne, our sponsors Hartpury University and Hartpury College, our Founding Members and all our wonderful paying subscribers. If you upgrade to paid too, you’ll be able to see beyond the paywalls we place on many of our second and third email editions of the week and that lock our archive after two weeks. You will be able to view our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series comment on our stories and you’ll be helping to make possible this community interest company dedicated to supporting the county, its businesses, charities and education and training providers — all for just £2.30 a week - or £1.80 a week if two or more people sign up at once!!! For commercial opportunities visit our About us page or email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.
Why today’s main story?
In all our years covering Gloucestershire - and it’s been a quarter of a century all told - the Cotswolds remains relatively underrepresented in the business press. The magazine Cotswold Life, of course, has championed its patch and continues to, but there remains a bit of an imbalance to redress when it comes to picking out and celebrating the businesses within the district.
Which is why we are right behind the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. We bring you the latest instalment below.
As anyone will know who has ever got involved in awards like this, it’s not just about those who are shortlisted or those who win, it’s the magic that happens as a result - the connections, friendships, community. That’s why we’ve gone big on it today. Good luck to everyone shortlisted.
Escape with Gloucestershire Community Foundation
🚓🚗🚙🏎️ This looks simply like great fun - a navigational car rally around the Cotswolds, all in the name of charity. Staged by Oasis Events in aid of the Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF) and The Poverty Hurts Appeal, you’ll begin your journey with breakfast at the simply stunning The Feathered Nest Country Inn in Nether Westcote before following the clues that will take you through some of the most beautiful countryside the UK has to offer. You don’t need to have a car like one of those pictures at last year’s event, we just loved the images we couldn’t resist running them. The Great Escape is open to all and you can find out more here.
Your Raikes’ briefing
🥇 Juliet Davenport, entrepreneur, founder of Good Energy, winner of an OBE, author, podcaster and trustee of the Energy Institute, has just been awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award at the Green Business Awards 2024. Judges described Davenport, who lives near Stroud, as “a genuine pioneer, a powerful advocate for climate action, and a hugely respected colleague and mentor for hundreds of people” and “one of the most highly respected figures working in the energy industry and the green economy”. She is also a sought-after advisor and non-executive director for the green sector and recently launched Atrato Onsite Energy. We send her our congratulations too.
👑🥇And while we’re on the subject of women receiving awards for excellence, the University of Gloucestershire’s vice chancellor, Clare Marchant, has received a damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours List, for services to higher education. Marchant becomes Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, one of the highest honours granted in the UK to those who have made significant contribution to their field. Dame Clare only joined the university in September 2023, but was the chief executive officer of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS for six years. Find out more here.
💪🌳 Stakeholders have met to discuss the Forest of Dean’s economic future. The Forest Economic Partnership recently hosted its second stakeholder meeting of the year. This most recent quarterly gathering was staged at AccXel Construction School, Cinderford, and led by chairman Neill Ricketts - the founder of engineering firm Versarien. Guest speakers have included the likes of The Music Works and subgroups include the Net Zero & Climate Action group and its Education & Skills. We’ve uploaded a release to our PR Wire channel here.
Finalists revealed for Gloucestershire business awards
The judges have met, the deliberations have been made and the finalists have now been revealed in the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024. You can find out who they are right here!
By Andrew Merrell
Finalists in this year’s Cirencester Business Awards have been revealed at an extra special gathering hosted by the event’s headline sponsor, Redkite Law.
Guests from across the Cotswolds, including prospective finalists, sponsors of the numerous awards, judges and friends were invited to the firm’s new Thomas Street offices in the town for the grand reveal.
Adam Vines, the president of the town’s chamber, addressed guests along with Neil Walker, the chief executive officer of Redkite, which also used the occassion to unveil its new offices.
Redkite will also announce the winner of the headline award, Business of the Year, at the business awards too.
Vines, who also runs cirencester business Lounge Designs, said: “I am incredibly grateful to our independent judges who have dedicated their time and expertise to evaluating this year’s outstanding entries.
“Their hard work and impartial insights have been instrumental in highlighting the strength and diversity of our vibrant business community.
“I look forward to celebrating the achievements of all our nominees and honoring the winners at our awards ceremony on July 5th.”
Speaking to Raikes after the event, Walker said the event had also been the official launch of its new Thomas Street offices which followed its takeover last year of Davey Law, a deal that created a firm with a £16 million turnover, 16 offices and 242 staff.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who was there to celebrate this milestone with us.
“The evening included the reveal of this year’s Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards finalists. We are very grateful to the chamber for its support as Redkite Law establishes itself in Cirencester and for the opportunity to host this memorable occasion.
“A special thank you goes out to the local businesses who contributed to the event’s success, including Roots & Seeds for keeping us fed and watered, Kay Ransom for taking lots of lovely photos, Project Cakery for providing yummy cupcakes, Capriccio Quartet for a great selection of music and Oops-a-Daisy for the stunning flower arrangements.
“As we set out on this new chapter, we look forward to building on the legacy of Davey Law. Our new offices represent our commitment to the town, its businesses, and its lovely people.
“We hope to see everyone again at the business awards ceremony on 5 July, which promises to be another fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of our local businesses.”
Shaun Pegler, of Gloucestershire accountants Randall & Payne, one of the judges who helped whittle down the entries to create the awards’ shortlist, said: “I’ve enjoyed being involved in the judging of these awards and understanding more about the amazing businesses of Cirencester.
“I was impressed by the high standard of the entries and subsequently we found it challenging to come up with the shortlist. I am excited to see the winners being revealed on the big night in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Kay Ransom, was not only name-checked for her pictures on the evening, which we use her too, she was also one of those to learn she had been shortlisted in the awards.
“I have been running Kay Ransom Photography for 19 and years and I was very proud to have made the top three finalists in two of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce awards this year,” she said
“I have been attending the Chamber since 2008 and entered the awards every year since, when I have won twice previously I have found the exposure invaluable.
“Cirencester is a really great place to run a business and being part of this well known business community has been a real support to my career.”
This year’s awards presentation is due to take place on Friday 5 July at the Royal Agricultural University’s Boutflour Hall, a venue capable of seating 120 guests.
The evening will start with welcome drinks at 7pm, a three course meal, a raffle in aid of charity and then the awards ceremony itself, hosted once again by BBC Radio presenter and journalist Vernon Harwood.
Sponsorship of the awards sold out some time ago, but Raikes understands you can still become an event sponsor for as little as £250 or a table sponsor for £100. And tickets are still available.
The finalists for this year’s Cirencester Business Awards are:
The Ethical Business Award, sponsored by The Bathurst Estate
• Cirencester Friendly Society
• DipTribe
• The NumberCrunchers
Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by the numbercrunchers.
• Kyeburn
• ANI Skincare
• Cotswold Labels
Professional Service Provider of the Year, sponsored by PerryBishop
•Kay Ransom Photography
• Christopher Stanley Architecture & Planning
• Jennifer McDiarmid
Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by McGills
•Rory Calvert (Cotswold Archaeology)
• Millie Hopkins (Hercules Site Services)
•Louis Godwin (Mainstream Digital)
Employee of the Year, sponsored by ASI
• Charlie Savage (RAU)
• Sally Goddard (Siddington Park)
• Dominic Curnock (Bluestone Insurance)
Medium/Large Organisation of the Year, sponsored by Fortem Information Technology
•Rugrats & Half Pints
• Mainstream Digital
• Core 2 Cloud
Self Employed/Freelancer of the Year, sponsored by Cirencester College
• You, me and the menopause
• Kay Ransom Photography
• KopyKat Marketing
Going for Green Award, sponsored by The Growth Hub
•Raw Energy
• Cotswold Lakes Brew Co
• Cotswold Range
Team of the Year, sponsored by Rangeford Village
•Parkinson’s UK (Cirencester & Stroud)
• Aura Care Living
• Indian Rasoi
Small Organisation of the Year, sponsored by The Steadings
•Cotswold Retreats
• ANI Skincare
• Jungle
You can buy your tickets for the night (£10 a head) and find out more right here.
Some diary dates for you…
📅 In collaboration with IT support firm, Westway IT, The Growth Hub Gloucestershire will host a business resilience workshop at its Gloucester base at the University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls campus on Friday 21 June 2024 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. You’ll learn how to risk plan, mitigate potential business disasters and make your company more resilient. Tickets cost £15. Sign up via Eventbrite.
📅 Immigration - that’s the focus of this forthcoming digital seminar by the employment law and business immigration team from Cheltenham-headquartered law firm Willans’ experienced lawyers will provide the latest guidance for businesses and explain what they need to know when employing non-UK workers. Topics will include what you need to know when sponsoring workers, business visit visas and options for overseas internships - plus an interactive Q&A. Due to take place on Tuesday 25 June from 9.30am to 11am. Find out more here.
📅 On Thursday 27 June solicitors Lodders’ is due to host its 10th anniversary party in Cheltenham. The party is expected to run from 5pm until late and include food, gin tasting, live jazz and the chance to meet and mingle with Cheltenham’s business community. Get in touch with Angela Howard at Lodders via phone or email if you’d like to attend.
📅 We’ve directed you to this one a few times - the Gloucester 10k, due to take place on June 30 on a relatively flat course made for those seeking a personal best time - or just minimum chance of having to stop and take a moment! You’ve missed the chance to enter, but it still makes for a great spectacle, starting in Gloucester Park and taking in the Cathedral, Quays and canalside.
📅 🔊 This is the Apprenticeship Roadshow, which sees the Gloucestershire Careers Hub arrive at Gloucestershire College, on Monday 1 July, the University of Gloucestershire, on Tuesday, 2 July, AccXel Construction School in Cinderford on Monday, July 8 and Cirencester College on Thursday, 11 July. A panel of apprentices and employers will be on hand to answer all your questions at what are described as ideal opportunities for students interested in the career route to learn more. Find out more here.
📅 This sounds simply fantastic. On 27 July Hartpury University and Hartpury College is due to stage its Rugby Celebration Dinner - marking 20 years of Hartpury RFC, 10 years of Gloucester Hartpury Rugby Ladies, and the remarkable triple 10-year anniversary of our treble achievement: RFC, BUCS, and AASE title victories. You can find out more here.