Business Awards 2017

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Amberjack hits double top THERE was an electric atmo - sphere as 300 peoplegathered to toast the best in business at a black-tie gala dinner held at Newbury Racecourse last Friday. Recruitment experts celebrate after scooping two awards at gala business c eremo y Report by DAN COOPER email dan.cooper@newburynews.co.uk twitter @danc_nwn

with the trust our clients place in us and our solutions. “We’ve been Newbury-based since we began as GradWeb in 2000 and, as our business has grown, we remain committed to the area having moved our expanding team into bigger premises at Newbury House. “Our team are predominantly local and to be recognised at this, our busiest time ofthe year, means so much.” It was the first time the Newb ury Weekly New s had sponsored the awards, which were designed to recognise the success of businesses from across West Berkshire and North Hampshire. As well as a record number of entries, all tickets were snapped up in advance, which made for a party atmosphere on the night. On arrival, guests were treated to a Champagne reception with canapés in the main grandstand, which was kitted out with sports cars provided by one of the spon- sors, Dick Lovett. They then made their way upstairs for a sit-down three- course meal with wine. The evening was compered by the director of Greenham-based SAS Auctions and star of TV’ s Bargain Hunt , Thomas Plant. Mr Plant kept the guests enter- tained throughout theevening and coined a phrase from the TV programme in his introduction, saying “There aren ’t losers, there are only runners-up.”

Wild cheers filled the room as recruitment expert Amberjack, which is based in Kings Road West, walked away with the prestigious Newbury Weekly News 2017 Best in Business Award, sponsored by The Vineyard Group. It was double delight for Amber- jack, which also picked up the Inno- vation award, sponsored by Santander. Amberjack chief executive Cynthia Bostock said: “We’re delighted to be recognised in our community, which has only been achievable through the fantastic people we employ locally, and their hard work and commitment,along

West Berkshire Brewer y chairman David Bruce receives his Entrepreneur award from compere ThomasPlant, left,andawardsco-ordinatorJohnHampson,right Ref: 45-0617S

ROLL OF HONOUR

Brewery) – Cobbs Farm Shop n Independent Retailer (sponsored by Newbury BID ) – Inn at Home n Digital and Social Media (sponsored by Apple Print & Creative) – Penny Post n Entrepreneur (sponsored by Dick Lovett) – David Bruce n Innovation (sponsored by Santander) – Amberjack

n Small Business (sponsored by PBA Accountants) – Pixelnebula n Start Up (new) Business (sponsored by Jones Robinson) – Liberty GardenBuildings n Customer Service (sponsored by Kennet Shopping centre) – BluebirdCare n Not for Profit/Charity (sponsored by Greenham Trust) – Dingley ’s Promise n Rural (sponsored by West Berkshire

Dingley’ s PromisewontheCommunityandCharityaward

Ref: 45-0617N

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Officially Best in Business Officially Best in Business We are Amberjack. A local company with a global client base. We’re specialists in all aspects of early careers recruitment, acting as an extension of our clients teams to help them manage the huge volumes of candidates that apply for their Graduate, Apprentices, MBA and school leaver programmes. Our teams design and support our wide range of well known employers including Unilever, Network Rail, GSK and Morrisons, with candidate and campaign management, assessment design and delivery, and candidate on-boarding, using our award winning, innovative range of technology, assessment and process management tools. And we work with an inspiring drive and passion. We call this way of working Ability with Agility. We’re delighted with our wins at the Best in Business Awards – a fantastic achievement for our business and more passionate collaborators, always striving for better, always doing the right thing and always accountable, and our clients agree. work, and becoming part of the Amberjack success story, either as a client or as one of our team, please get in touch at: hello@wearemberjack.com T: 01635 584130.

Innovating the candidat e experience Amberjack –winner of the Innovation Award and the overall Newbury Weekly News

Best in Business Award 2017

they operate a white label business model, working as an extension of their client’s teams. They design, manage and provide innovative technology for large-scale recruitment campaigns for predominately future talent programmes – these can be for hundreds of When you are managing these kinds of volumes on behalf of globally-recognised client names, delivering an exceptional candidate experience is crucial. Sophie Meaney, managing director of the Consulting Solutions Business within Amberjack, highlights the scale; “Over the past year we have made hires of 1,862 and managed over 253,500 candidates. “We’ve delivered this success hires involving literally thousands of candidates.

AMBERJACK are global experts in future talent and volume recruitment outsourcing, technology and assessment. Their expertise delivers unparalleled results by applying intelligent insights, innovative technology and passion for customer and candidate experience. They’ve been in business since 2000, and have always had been part of the Newbury business community, whilst providing support for global organisations. Their advanced technology products, processes and innovative solutions are designed to deliver the ultimate candidate experience. However, a key point to the business is they’re not a recruitment agency – instead

with 65 Amberjackers, who are highly-motivated and enable us to punch above our weight for a medium-sized business.” This proven, innovative track record has won Amberjack many international awards, and their client list contains some of the biggest, and most prestigious businesses across the UK, and indeed the globe. These include Centrica, Heathrow, Deloitte, Unilever, Barclays, BP, Morrisons, Network Rail, Britvic, PwC and GSK. Amberjack’s most compelling fact is that their recent innovation for Unilever is not just game changing for them, but for the entire recruitment industry. And all this is being driven from their offices in the centre of Newbury!

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Dingley’s delight at raffle prize WEST Berkshire charity Dingley’s Promise was handed a cheque for £2,486.50 at the awards dinner. The money was raised through a raffle on the night, with a number of prizes on offer, including a boxing glove signed by Sir Henry Cooper, which was donated by NWN chief executive James Gurney. Other prizes were a five-course meal at The Vine- yard, a BMW for the weekend (supplied by Dick Lovett) an overnight stay at the Mercure Elcot Hotel and Reading FC match tickets. Before the awards were presented and raffle prizes announced, Newbury MP Richard Benyon described West Berkshire as “the best place in England to start a business” during his speech. Mr Benyon added: “What tonight is all about is saying thank you. “Thank you to companies, businesses and chari- ties that do amazing things across this extraordi- nary part of the South of England. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again now – I

strongly believe that this is the best part of the coun- try to start or grow a business and these awards are very much a part of getting that vital message out to people.” NWN chief executive James Gurney and editor Andy Murrill also spoke about the important rela- tionship between the paper and local businesses during the evening. Mr Gurney said: “Being able to host these awards that recognise local success is a real honour and I thank you all for partaking. “Winning is an incredible achievement, but being recognised and talked about is of equal impor- tance.” Mr Murrill said: “We’ve been a part of the commercial life of West Berkshire since 1867, help- ing local businesses to grow, thrive and prosper and that is why we are so delighted to organise these awards this year. “It is a true celebration of innovation, determina- tion and success.”

Everyone’s a winner! WINNERSof this year’s awards have reacted to being recog- nised as the district’ s best in business. enquiries for application forms and a total shortlist of 34 busi- nesses, ranging from beauty and wellbeing to financial services and fitted bedroom specialists. Compere Thomas Plant, left, and managing director of Newbur y BID Russell Downing present David Marklew of Inn at Home with theIndependentRetaileraward Ref: 45-0617F

Bluebird Care home manager Hayley Davies said after winning the Customer Service Award: “ I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the whole team of care assistants and ofice staff who work tirelessly to ensure that Bluebird Care’s customers receive the very best care at home.” Awards co-ordinator John Hampson said: “The 2017 Best in Business Awards were a tremen- dous success. “This was the culmination of six month’s work on the awards, which attracted over 100 initial

David Bruce, winner of the Entrepreneur category, said: “I don’t go around thinking of myself as an entrepreneur; I just do what I do because I enjoy it, so I genuinely wasn’t expecting to win. “I can only get awards like this because of my staff, who are abso- lutely brilliant. That is why I am able to succeed.I’ m really chuffed to have won.”

“I would like to offer a personal thank you to our wonderful spon- sors who made the whole event possible, giving up their time to visit their shortlisted businesses. “And to Sarah Prankerd and her colleagues at The Vineyard Group for accepting the challenge to find an overall winner – I am indebted to you all.”

Compere Thomas Plant, left, Mia Horn of the Newbury Weekly News, right, present Dingley ’s Promisewitha chequefor£2,436,raisedthrougha raffleonthenight

second right, and awards co-ordinator John Hampson,

Ref: 45-0617V

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

‘A huge thank you for your support’

Cobbs Farm Shop –winner of the Rural Business Award in the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2017

Racecourse, the amazing award ceremony commenced and we soon learnt the exciting news that Cobbs had achieved the Rural Business Award for the second year running. We really could not be prouder! It’s fair to say 2017 has been a very exciting year for Cobbs. Indeed, we reach the finals in the most prestigious national Rural Business Awards and our fabulous vineyard, Alder Ridge,

earned itself five new medals for its wines, with the 2013 Blanc de Noirs being named Best in Class at The Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the support over the years; to both our customers and teams of wonderful staff – none of this could have been achieved without you.

WE are extremely proud to have won the Rural Business Award for the second year in a row! We were thrilled by the chance to take off our aprons, pull out our glad rags, put on our dancing shoes and enjoy a night of cele- brating the best in local business that West Berkshire has to offer. After a brilliant evening dining and meeting other fellow local businesses at Newbury

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Ref: 45-0417BZ

Ref: 45-0417BS

Ref: 45-0417BO

Ref: 45-0417BT

Ref: 45-0417BV

Ref: 45-0417BR

Ref: 45-0417BW

Ref: 45-0417BY

Ref: 45-0417BM

Ref: 45-0417BQ

Ref: 45-0417BX

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Ref: 45-0617H

Liberty Garden Buildings Yew Tree Garden Centre, Ball Hill, Newbury, Berks, RG20 0NG

Liberty Garden Buildings ‘thrilled’ Liberty Garden Buildings –winner of Start-Up Business Award in the Newbury Weekly News

For high quality British made Home Offices, Gardenrooms, Rotating Pods, Summerhouses, Greenhouses & Sheds Come and see our display site and talk to David & Jo Acheson at Yew Tree Garden Centre, Ball Hill, Newbury RG20 0NG libertygardenbuildings.com 01635 255533 Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Best in Business Awards 2017

door, heating, cooling, Bluetooth sound system, lighting arriving in November and a new large studio garden room with covered outside space for alfresco living, among other. Liberty Garden Buildings is located at Yew Tree Garden Centre, East Woodhay.

David and Jo are thrilled to win and would like to thank their customers and friends who have supported them over the last year. The most amazing and beautiful display site, with new models, is being installed this winter including the fabulous Pod Summerhouse with glass sliding

LIBERTY Garden Buildings sells high-quality, British- made home offices, garden rooms, rotating pods, summerhouses, greenhouses and sheds and will be soon selling beautiful Victorian lamppost, wall top and wall light garden lighting.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Clockwise from top left, Thomas Plant, MP Richard Benyon, Newbury Weekly News chief executive James Gurney and editor Andy Murrill address the audience

Above left, cars supplied by sponsor Dick Lovett at the pre-awards drinks reception and , right, the bright welcome to the ceremony at Newbur y R cecourse

Ref: 45-0417BN

Ref: 45-0417Y

Newbury town crier Brian Sylvester welcomes guests to theawards Ref: 45-0417R

The stunning awards suite at Newbur y Racecourse

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH DIGITAL SIGNAGE

Ref: 45-0617A

Drive more sales with eye-catching dynamic marketing in your retail space By upgrading your business with Flare digital signage, you’ll unlock a whole host of new advertising and marketing strategies. Too warm to be pushing coffees or coats? Flip channels to promote smoothies or sunglasses in

an instant! Mid-afternoon lull at your bar? Simply trigger an impromptu happy hour! • Works in portrait or landscape • Updates instantly, from anywhere • Easy to set up and manage • Wide range of content options • Advanced scheduling controls

Rapid growth in just three years Pixelnebula –winner of the Best Small Business A ward in the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2017

Display relevant updates and fresh content to turbo-charge employee engagement Flare takes workplace commu- nication to the next level by providing a platform that can reach your entire workforce, even those without a computer. Create branded messaging with ease, using our unique templat-

ing system that’s designed to let you focus on the message - no Photoshop required! • Compatible with any screen • Yammer integration (+more!) • Highly secure and scalable • 24/7 Support

and functionality that are added. The company is now entering a period of rapid growth, with the directors hoping to double the number of full time employees from five to 10 over the next 12 months. To date, Pixelnebula has relied on word of mouth marketing and social media to grow the business – specifically aiming at the internal communications sector, but they are now looking to take a more proactive approach with a wider target market, including retail and catering. At last weeks’ Best in Business Awards, Pixelnebula won the award for Best Small Business sponsored by PBA accountants.

users to quickly and easily send a wide variety of content to their network of screens, ranging from promotional videos, to social

PIXELNEBULA is a technology business based in Thatcham, founded in 2014 by Daniel Shipp and Ed Hinchliffe. Over the last three years the small but focused team have developed, from scratch, a complete, enterprise-ready digital signage platform, and established an impressive client list and pipeline. Their customers receive a compact, unassuming device which, once connected to a digital display, will transform it into a powerful dynamic marketing channel. The platform, provided as Software as a Service, allows

FROM JUST £30/ MONTH Includes signage player and content management system access. Screens sold separately.

media posts, or business performance statistics. Pixelnebula’s focus is on customer experience and

Contact us today to find out more!

usability – and these values have been designed into the product from day one. The result is a system which is intuitive and easy to use, leading to widespread adoption and low support call volumes. Customers also enjoy frequent updates to the system, and owing to an efficient feedback and development cycle, are able to directly impact the new features

info@pixelnebula.com 0330 088 0504

pixelnebula.limited @pixelnebula pixelnebula

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Ref: 45-0417BB

Ref: 45-0417AG

Ref: 45-0417AC

Ref: 45-0417AF

Ref: 45-0417AP

Ref: 45-0417AD

Ref: 45-0417D

Ref: 45-0417AR

Ref: 45-0417AY

Ref: 45-0417BA

Ref: 45-0417AU

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Ref: 45-0617M

Delivering care in your home Bluebird Care –winner of the Customer Ser vice Award in the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2017

supported by a team of trained professionals who are there when you need them. We nurture and support our staff, training them to exceptional standards resulting in strong bonds and empathetic working relationships. Getting to know you We start by getting to know everything we can about you to help us to provide a package of services that will work exactly – and only – for you. We would like to listen - with understanding, sensitivity and compassion – to find out what’s important in your life. To be able to support and care for you. To be by your side.

leaving you to enjoy the life and level of independence you choose. We offer compassion, companionship, continuity and reliability. We’re by your side – to laugh, smile, listen, support and care. We’ve long believed the best care is delivered in your own home. Bluebird Care home and live-in care means keeping all the things that matter to you close at hand, in the environment you know and treasure. We simply add a trusted companion, by your side as often as you’d like. You and your family can enjoy peace of mind – knowing you’re

BLUEBIRD Care is the leading provider of home and live in care for older people and vulnerable adults across West Berkshire and North Hampshire. Delivering care in your home Home is where everything you hold dear surrounds you. A safe, happy environment with the people you trust and your extra- special things close at hand. Home is where we fit in; offering a range of home and live in care services, tailored exactly to your needs and designed how you want them. Whether that’s a weekly visit, round-the-clock live in care or anything in between, we help with your essential needs –

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Ref: 45-0417AB

Ref: 45-0417BG

Ref: 45-0417BE

Ref: 45-0417AJ

Ref: 45-0417BF

Ref: 45-0417AV

Ref: 45-0417AW

Ref: 45-0417AO

Ref: 45-0417AN

Ref: 45-0417AH

Ref: 45-0417AQ

See pages 10 and 11 of Newbury Business Today for more pictures from the NWN Best in Business Awards

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Changing lives in rural areas Penny Post – winner of the Digital and Social Media A ward in the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2017

THIS year’s Digital and Social Media category winner, Penny Post , started 12 years ago with a laptop, 40 email addresses and the passion of one local resident to connect her community, support local businesses and provide readers with useful, local information. Penny Locke’s occasional emails (which for many years didn’t have a name, until the penny dropped...) have now evolved into a free weekly e-newsletter, a website with over 15,000 monthly page views, social-media platforms and a YouTube channel with nearly 100 videos about local events and businesses. The newsletter now has over 3,600 subscribers within the Thatcham-Marlborough- Wantage triangle with a weekly open rate of over 45 per cent. “It’s hard work,” says Penny, a mother of two who lives in East Garston near Lambourn. “But so rewarding when we are able to help good causes find volunteers, readers find jobs, property and events, and local businesses find new customers. “When you live in a rural area it’s often hard to discover local information. “Some people have told us that Penny Post has changed their lives as they now feel more connected to the community.” Penny Post has a very small team

Ref: 45-0417J

of Penny, her husband Brian Quinn and volunteer website editor Alistair Mills. The business thrives on crowd publishing as it gives many groups and contributors access to the Penny Post platform so they can have a stronger presence in the community. They also give local businesses marketing advice and affordable advertising rates. “We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us,” says Brian, “including our loyal readers and advertisers,

Greenham Trust, our webmaster Mike Vince from A Handful of Colour and Dale Campbell from Trademark Tribe, who negotiated our Penny Post trademark co-existence agreement with Royal Mail. “We are passionate about positive, constructive ‘news you can use’ and are delighted that it’s proving popular and that we have won the NWN ’s prestigious local award.” To subscribe to Penny Post , please visit pennypost.org.uk and click on the pink ‘Sign up for Free’ button.