We were delighted to host the celebration evening for the finalists of the Gloucestershire Live Business Awards ahead of the 25th annual awards ceremony next month.
Photos by Anna Lythgoe for Reach and Gloucestershire Live.
On the 7th September, the Finalists, fellow Sponsors and employees of Reach Plc, organisers of the awards, joined us at our Chargrove House office for an evening of recognition and networking, with drinks and canapes.
Caroline Bevan from Rugrats and Halfpints in Cirencester is a finalist in no fewer than four categories; Business Person, Small Business, Growth Business, and Business of the Year. She is pictured in the main image, second from left, along with Anna Mason and Chun Kong for Maggie’s and Will Abbott and Jo Kline from Randall & Payne.
Another business which is a finalist in multiple categories is G-TEKT Europe Manufacturing (G-TEM) Ltd whose categories include Environmental and Sustainability, Made in Britain and Business of the Year. Pictured below are Naoko Burge, Darren Wilding and Adam Wood to represent G-TEM.
Sarah Pullen, Revenue Director of Reach, addressed the room halfway through the evening. She started by commenting that she can’t believe that we are celebrating 25 years of the Gloucestershire Business Awards and half of those years have been hugely supported by Randall & Payne as headline partner. We can’t believe it either!
Sarah went on to share some facts and stats using the PEST model which impacts all businesses;
- Politically we have seen seven prime ministers of which nearly half of them have been since 2019 in fact three of them in one year!
- We’ve also had economically; a financial crisis in 2008, coalition government austerity measures, Brexit, and a pandemic including the current cost of living crisis.
- Socially, businesses have had to adapt to consumers wanting everything now, one touch, delivered to their door and live chat. Employers have had to manage the new working model of hybrid or working from home. Diversity and inclusion is improving and we’ve made more progress in the last 5 years than in the last 100. But there is still work to do.
- Technologically, 25 years ago you might have been using your landline or indeed a phone box. However, during this time, Google, Facebook and the iPhone launched and businesses communicate directly to consumers but also have to manage reviews publicly about your service.
Sarah continued to say there has been so much development and innovation in business over the past 25 years and saluted and celebrated all businesses that have launched, as well as long term businesses that have diversified to be a huge success based in Gloucestershire.
The Gloucestershire Business Awards is the longest running awards in this county and during that time, we’ve had 750 finalists, over 300 winners and over 10,000 attendees!
Sarah then reminded everyone that the awards are being held on the 12th October at the Centaur and because it is the 25th anniversary they are going to make it a night to remember. Every winner will receive £1,000 worth of digital advertising free of charge.
Iwan Thomas will be the host AND keynote speaker. He is a former European, Commonwealth and World Champion, securing medals at all major championships. Until recently he held the British 400m record for 25 years!
Tim Watkins, our Managing Partner, said a few words after Sarah, reminding everyone what an achievement it was to become a finalist and invited everyone to continue to get to know each other whilst enjoying the canapes which had been prepared by Gloucestershire based Joanna Parker Catering.
Reflecting on the evening, Tim said “We were delighted to host the celebration event last night for the finalists of the 25th annual GloucestershireLive Business Awards. It’s always an enjoyable evening learning more about the vibrant and dynamic businesses and businesspeople on our doorstep and making new connections. The event showcases their remarkable achievements by becoming finalists and we look forward to the ceremony next month. We wish all the finalists the best of luck in their respective categories.”
For more information about the event or to book your place: https://www.glosbusinessawards.co.uk/2023/en/page/book-tickets
