Judging for this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards has now been completed with a shortlist of 32 businesses from across Oxfordshire announced, including finalists for a new business category backed by OxLEP.
Finalists have been confirmed across 12 award categories, including Purposeful Business, Marketing Excellence, New, Small and Large Business. All of the finalists will be in for the chance of winning the overall Business of the Year Award which this year, is sponsored by Thomas Franks.
OxLEP are once again supporting the New Business category which was open to any Oxfordshire-based business that started trading after 1 January 2020, with this year’s finalists being; Capstone Design & Consultancy, Darcica Logistics Limited and Quantum Dice.
All entrants for the category were judged against a pre-determined set of criteria including; how the start-up was achieved, how effectively the business has operated in-light of the pandemic – given it launched so close to the Covid-19 outbreak – the strength and stability of the business, as well as plans for growth, including workforce development and possible opportunities for young people within the business.
Nigel Tipple – Chief Executive of OxLEP and Oxfordshire Business Awards Director – said: “We are delighted with the calibre of entries that came in from across the whole of the county and each one of our finalists deserves their place on the shortlist.
“I believe that the growth of our local businesses and the strength of their performance to date is indicative of just how attractive Oxfordshire is to do business.
“Regarding the new business category, starting a business has presented significant challenges in recent years due to the pandemic, so our admiration goes – not just to our finalists; Capstone Design & Consultancy, Darcica Logistics Limited and Quantum Dice – but all start-ups and those who have worked hard to bring a business idea to fruition.”
Since the Oxfordshire Business Awards began in 1994, the awards have recognised the achievements of thousands of the county’s businesses, including accolades for business entrepreneurs, technology excellence and innovation.
Organised and supported by 15 of the county’s leading organisations, the awards recognises, rewards and promotes the excellence of Oxfordshire-based businesses and organisations.
Oxfordshire Business Awards Chairman Paul Lowe added: "We would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted finalists and on behalf of the sponsors, we wish them the best of luck on the night.
“For 27 years, the Oxfordshire Business Awards has recognised and celebrated the entrepreneurs, businesses, and indeed people, that make Oxfordshire a vibrant place to work and live. We are delighted that so many incredible businesses have been shortlisted and we are excited to award the winners on the night.”
The winners will be announced at the ‘Celebration of Oxfordshire Business Awards Dinner’ on Friday 9 June at The John Henry Brookes Building. The Awards Ceremony will be hosted by Dom Joly.
