Ridge and Partners LLP were crowned the winners of The Hawkins Business of the Year Award at the prestigious ceremony hosted at Oxford Brookes University.
Hundreds of individuals from businesses across the county came together on Friday evening (14 June) for the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2019, as the winners from its 14 categories were announced.
The black-tie dinner – held at the John Henry Brookes Building at Oxford Brookes University – was attended by 500 guests, representing businesses from a variety of sectors.
It was hosted by the TV personality and impressionist Rory Bremner.
Since its launch in 1994, the ‘OXBA’ has recognised the achievements of thousands of businesses from right across Oxfordshire, including accolades for new businesses, small businesses and the county’s larger businesses.
Finalists for this year’s awards were announced at the beginning of May, following a record number of award applications.
The 25th OXBA is sponsored by 14 of the county’s leading businesses, with 13 prizes awarded, ranging from accolades celebrating innovation, through to a charity and community award.
The winner of a 14th category – the Hawkins Business of the Year Award – was chosen from all the winners and finalists across each of the 13 award categories and went to property and construction consultants Ridge & Partners LLP.
The Chairman of the OXBA – Paul Lowe – said: “We would like to congratulate all of the winners at this year’s OXBA.
“For 25 years, the OXBA have championed businesses and those individuals who have made a positive impact in Oxfordshire and this year’s awards have been no exception.
“Winning an OXBA brings genuine recognition and acknowledgment amongst peers, so all of tonight’s winners should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) – sponsor of the New Business Award, taken home on the night by Sensyne Health – said the OXBA reflects the county’s thriving business community.
Mr Tipple said: “The OXBA create an opportunity to celebrate business across the county and the impact it as, not just on our economy, but also the opportunities companies create for thousands of people on a daily basis.
“Congratulations to all winners and finalists in what has been a memorable evening.”
This year’s winners and finalists were as follows:
The Hays Employer of The Year Award
WINNER: Nielsen
Oodle Car Finance
Abingdon & Witney College
The Oxford Science Park Innovation Award
WINNER: Oxford Biomedica
Fuel3D
Exscientia
The Oxfordshire LEP New Business Award
WINNER: Sensyne Health
Common Ground
SWJ Consulting
The Knights plc Small Business Award
WINNER: Imaginera
High Spec Composites
TOAD
The NatWest Large Business Award
WINNER: Nicholsons
Ridge & Partners LLP
Planet IT
The Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person of The Year Award
WINNER: Sarah Jaycock, High Spec Composites
Dan Weston, Mathews Comfort Financial Services
Toby Crawford, Imaginera
The CIS Technology Excellence Award
WINNER: Cognitant Group
Royal Cars
Brethertons LLP
The Oxford Times Charity & Community Award
WINNER: One-Eighty
Transition by Design
Witney Music Festival
The Heart Best Visitor Experience Award
WINNER: Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
TOAD
Hook Norton Brewery
The Brita Green Award
WINNER: Restore
Oxford Wood Recycling
Montala
The Syndicut Marketing Excellence Award
WINNER: Fuel3D
Sesui
Aston and James
The Bicester Village Retail Award
WINNER: William Powell
Coles Books
Loft
The Shaw Gibbs Business Person of The Year Award
WINNER: Paul Morrow, British Bakels
Daniel Geoghegan, Bicester Heritage
Paul Drayson, Sensyne Health
The Hawkins Business of the Year Award
WINNER: Ridge & Partners LLP
