Last night, Oxfordshire-based Newton Europe was announced as the winner in the Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year category of the National Business Awards, at the awards ceremony and gala dinner hosted by Sky’s Dermot Murnaghan.
This category recognises the SME that has maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understands its customer, has full buy-in from staff with strong leadership, and is continually innovating and investing in research and development to support future growth.
Newton, which is based in Kingston Bagpuize, specialises in helping its clients get more out of their operational processes and supply chains to deliver a 10 – 50% improvement. It works across a range of sectors including, manufacturing, air, land and sea, services, healthcare and local government.
Steve Pateman, Head of UK Banking at Santander, said: “This year was probably the hardest year to select the Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year. There were many strong contenders with a mix of traditional, as well as new businesses, and it was good to have the opportunity to acknowledge the significant achievements of Newton Europe, as well as the tremendous progress of The Bread Company as SME of the Year.”
The National Business Awards judges said: “Transforming organisations in multiple sectors, Newton Europe has set out to conquer a market dominated by big consultancies with a market leading depth of knowledge and tailored service.”
The twelfth annual National Business Awards held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel was opened by a video address from Rt Hon David Cameron who acknowledged the National Business Awards for recognising excellence in enterprise and honouring some of Britain’s biggest business success stories. He told the audience: “A strong private sector is exactly what Britain needs to get back on its feet. I’m determined that Britain becomes the best place in the world to start a business, to grow a business and to do business.”
The Prime Minister’s message was followed by Sir Bob Geldof, who addressed the 1200 attending business leaders on the role of business in society. HRH Prince Andrew also announced his support for the launch of The Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2014.
Sir David McMurtry, Chairman CEO, Renishaw was honoured with the prestigious Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business, voted for by the NBA Advisory Board. The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year award went to Sainsbury’s, for delivering the greatest shareholder value while growing sustainably. Hermes UK took home The Inflexion Growth Business of the Year award for growing with strong leadership and an innovative business model.
The prestigious Leader of the Year award was also revealed on the night with Thomas Cook’s Harriet Green triumphing despite strong competition from Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK Ireland, Richard Cousins, CEO of Compass Group, Valerie Soranno Keating, CEO of Barclaycard and Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityGroup. This award was voted for by a combination of public vote and peer ballot of around 40 CEOs and thought leaders.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “The full spectrum of British business has been honoured in 2013 - from exemplary social enterprise to fast growth start-up, inspirational SME to transformational PLC, and dynamic entrepreneur to visionary CEO. The National Business Awards truly reflect the quality and diversity driving economic growth in the UK”
Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of Judges said: “Congratulations to the 2013 winners – they represent the very best of British business. Being the Chair of Judges for the programme has enabled me to see some of the shining examples of innovation, ethics and overall success from businesses of all sizes and across all industries- it gives me great hope for a bright economic future for the UK. ”
Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for more information, to see all the winners and register your interest for 2014.
The National Business Awards supports the Prince’s Trust, a charity that offers practical and financial support to young people who need it.