Of the companies whose successes were celebrated at the Leicestershire Business Awards on Friday 24^th April it was the Mark Group who were crowned with the most prestigious award. Being named as the Leicestershire Business of the Year 2009, sponsored by Business Link, delighted the team from the family owned company.

 

The Mark Group which is the UK’s largest installer of home insulation and micro-generation systems also won the Enterprise Through Innovation Award, sponsored by ONE Leicester. The judges were impressed by their development of a home energy efficiency detecting system, Heatseakers, and their investment in a pioneering training academy. The Mark Academy is a vocational facility dedicated to training a new generation of installation technicians, including those from other industry leaders.

 

Stephen Woolfe, Senior Partner at Harvey Ingram and Chief Judge commented "This year's winner displays all the qualities of a very successful business and a real enthusiasm for the environment and the wider community."

 

The outstanding winners will be celebrating their achievements in style, having been loaned a Volvo XC60 for a month by Sturgess of Leicester. The premier local dealership are enabling all the Award winners to achieve further mileage from their success by generously providing the use of a fully liveried Fiat 500 for a week.

 

The Sales and Marketing Award, sponsored by De Montfort University, went to Joules Clothing, a company whose strategies and hard work have clearly paid off. Their annual sales have soared from £3 million to £34 million in the past five years. Tom Joule, Managing Director, of the Market Harborough based clothing brand proudly said “We have grown very, very quickly over the past few years, and marketing and sales have always been right at our heart. With lots passion, a huge amount of hard work, and a good dose of fun, we are really getting somewhere. This is a huge pat on the back to our whole team. I am delighted!”

 

Property developer Hammerson were very pleased to win the Investing in Leicestershire Award, sponsored by Leicestershire County Council, following their £350 million, 600,000 sq ft expansion of the Highcross shopping centre. Their investment was the most extensive single regeneration project the city has ever seen. “We are thrilled to have had the work of Hammerson and our ‘Work Highcross’ partners recognised through this award," stated Michelle Dawson, Community Manager at Hammerson.

 

The Success Through People Award, sponsored by the Oval Group, rewarded imago, the commercial wing of Loughborough University, for their training and staff retention. Established six years ago to market conference venues on the campus the company hosts conferences with the generated profits being reinvested into research and academic posts.

 

Howes Percival LLP took home the Contribution to the Community Award, sponsored by Ashfield In2Focus, following a successful fundraising and community activity campaign designed to make a real difference. Howes Percival spent £30,000 on community activities, raised £25,000 and donated 2,600 hours of work in the community across a wide range of projects. Keith Gilbert, partner at the law firm commented “This is testimony to the fantastic dedication and enthusiasm of all our staff and those organisations we have partnered with here in Leicestershire.”

 

Andy Gilbert, Group Managing Director of Go MAD Thinking won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Vantis LLP. The company works with individuals and corporations worldwide showing them how to transform their thinking to achieve success. Andy clearly believes that “Having great products and great people is a winning combination for both our business and our clients”.

Jane Albon of Nature’s Purest was delighted to win the New Business Award, sponsored by Harvey Ingram LLP. Nature’s Purest produces 140 different baby products from clothing to soft toys all in organic natural cotton manufactured without using pesticides, chemicals or dyes. The ranges are proving so popular that the business is already expanding its sales worldwide.

 

An ecstatic Jane said “For Natures Purest, winning the New Business Award feels fantastic. We were busy from 9am on day one and have not looked back since. This award is recognition for the dedication and hard work of all the staff. Being a winner will really boost our image both at home and abroad.”

 

To view a video of highlights from the Awards evening please visit www.bizawards.co.uk from 8^th May onwards. For further information about getting involved in next year’s Awards please contact Lucy at WOW Effect Ltd on 0845 1302866 or email lucy@woweffect.co.uk.