Business stars come out to shine in Kent

Business Commitment to the Community

Kent County Football Association, Ditton

Business Commitment to the Environment

Ardo UK Ltd, Ashford

Customer Service and Commitment

AmicusHorizon Ltd (T/A Avenue), Sittingbourne

Employer of the Year

Holiday Extras, Hythe

Entrepreneur of the Year

Alan Proto (GML Group), Maidstone

Large Business of the Year

MidKent College, Gillingham

SME Business of the Year

Three R's Teacher Recruitment, Ashford

Start Up Business of the Year

Bertie's Wood Fuel Ltd, Hadlow

Success in International Markets

Armourcoat Surface Finishes, Sevenoaks

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Craig Harrison (Aquaread Limited), Broadstairs

Outstanding Contribution to the Business Community

Amanda Cottrell

The results were announced at a gala dinner, where winners were presented with special glass trophies.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Mark Dance, said:"I was delighted to see so many outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs last night. All of the entrants were of an extremely high standard and Kent has once again shown that it really is the place to do business.

I want to send my heartfelt congratulations to everyone who took part in this years KEiBA and in particular to the exceptional and deserving winners.

Chairman of KM Group, Geraldine Allinson, said: "This is the fourth Kent Excellence in Business Awards and last nights event raised the game, yet again, as far as awards schemes in this county are concerned. It truly was Kents business night of the year. My congratulations go to the finalists and worthy winners for achieving so much in a tough economic climate. This is a great county to do business in and, better placed than most to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead."

KEiBA aims to recognise and reward excellence in Kent and Medway businesses of all sizes as well as individual awards. Its hoped that the awards will also boost staff morale and help attract new staff. Winning an award will also help businesses raise their profile in Kent.

All of the entrieswentthrough a rigorous judging process, which rated entrants against pre-set criteria to select a shortlist for each category. The judges then visited the short-listed entrants to carry out a more in-depth investigation through face-to-face interviewsbefore selecting the list of finalists.

KEiBA 2012 is sponsored by: Belmont International, Santander Corporate Banking, Lloyds TSB Commercial, Visit Kent, Southeastern, Kent Reliance, KCC Sustainability, Southern Water, asb law, HSBC, Kent International Business, Headley Brothers Ltd, IoD, Heart, The Kent Foundation, EMC Management Consultants, Kent Apprenticeships, Vertex Law, and the University of Kent.

Business stars come out to shine

The stars of Kent business came out on 28 June as the winners of the 2012 Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) were announced.

More than 450 guests attended the event at Priestifield, Gillingham Football Club, to recognise and celebrate the cream of Kent enterprise.

Fourteen businesses and individuals were selected from 40 finalists. A record 265 entries were received for the awards, which are in their fourth year. It is staged and produced by Kent County Council and The KM Group.

The winners are:

Apprenticeship of the Year

Amie Madgett (Hospice in the Weald), Pembury

Best Leisure and Tourism Business

The Aspinall Foundation - Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks, Nr Ashford