A pioneering engineering firm, zero waste hero and vegan barbershop are among the best businesses in Exeter.
BusinessLive together with Reach plc's sister platform DeonLive and print title Express and Echo have hosted the Exeter Business Awards.
Business bosses from the city and beyond attended the ceremony, held on July 21 - the longest day at The Great Hall at the University of Exeter.
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The event was a showcase of the very best of enterprise, innovation and dedication in Exeter.
Engineering pioneers Degould Ltd took the gong for Outstanding Business of the Year and Derek Phillips, Vice President of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, was named Exeter's Champion for decades of service to the city economy.
Bill Martin, Editor in Chief, Devon & Cornwall Reach plc, hosted the event.
He said: “ Doing the business is not easy, it rarely is, and whether or not you buy into the paralysing effect of Brexit, things seem harder now than normal.
"Despite this firms and individuals here are doing the business. That was clear in the number and quality of nominations we received this year. So to all of you, whether shortlisted or winners, congratulations from me.
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"Celebrations like these are particularly important here in Exeter and in the South West region. It is essential that the rest of the country, particularly Westminster, and the rest of the world, know that that is a region capable of delivering growth, innovation and jobs, and one that is worthy of investment. Exeter has been the shining beacon of the South West economy for some years, and that is a message we must continue to be proud of and to shout about."
All the winners: Exeter Business Awards 2019
sponsored by Exeter College
WINNER: Girling Jones Ltd
Finalists:
Air Marketing
Awcock Ward Partnership
Bluebird Care
sponsored by Devon County Council
WINNER: LiveWest
Finalists:
Awcock Ward Partnership
Devondale Electrical Wholesaler
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
WINNER: Hillside Product Design Ltd
Finalists:
Mirror Hair Design
Orange Tree
WINNER: Degould Ltd
Highly commended: Good Growth
Finalist: Car Store Exeter
sponsored by
WINNER: Lloyd's Lounge
Finalists:
Cofton Holidays
Harry's Restaurant
On The Waterfront
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Exeter Christmas Market Bar
sponsored by Browne Jacobson
WINNER: Degould Ltd
Highly Commended: Lightfoot
Finalists:
Good Growth
Hillside Product Design Ltd
WINNER: GRE Ltd
Finalist: Kineta Tea
sponsored by Marsh Kia Exeter
WINNER: Nexus Open Systems
Finalists:
Adopstar Ltd
Devon Norse Ltd
sponsored by Lady's Mile Holiday Park
WINNER: Simon Nicholls, Taurus Energy Ltd
Highly commended: Katie Sherjan, Hollywell Housing Trust
Finalist: Ben Cheriton, Pynes Hill Business Centre
sponsored by Radiance Medi Spa
WINNER: The Roots Foundation
Finalists:
Krispies Fish & Chips
Parentwise
The Grocer on the Green
The Oddfellows
WINNER: Nourish Zero Waste
Finalists:
Frocks in Swing Time
Kineta Tea Ltd
Mirror Hair Design
Neligan Financial
sponsored by Wollens
Business under 50 employees
WINNER: Girling Jones Ltd
Finalists:
Griffin Chartered Accountants
Oneserve
Business over 50 employees
WINNER: LiveWest
Highly commended: Apex Scaffolding Exeter Ltd
Finalist: Bluebird Care
Outstanding Business of the Year sponsored by Openreach
Degould Ltd
Exeter’s Champion sponsored by Griffin Chartered Accountants
Derek Phillips, Vice President, Exeter Chamber of CommerceThe gong for Degould Ltd, based in Clyst St George tops a successful year for the firm which won the product innovation category of the Global Automotive Awards in November.
Its latest product is the Auto-Booth which, using auto-imaging technology, provides digital evidence of a vehicle’s condition at every stage of its production and transportation, eliminating disputes over damage liability.
A prototype booth was tested at a car park at Heathrow Airport for 12 months and then the first working model has been installed at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull.
It is now developing products due to strong demand from the car rental industry and major airport car parks at Heathrow, Stansted and Bristol.
Judges were impressed with its innovative approach to solving a costly problem for some of the biggest names in the automotive sector.
A leading company in the South West tech and engineering sector, Degould demonstrates how the region is developing a new economy, creating highly skilled jobs and pioneering technology.
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JonPaul Hedge, Director of Communications at Exeter City Council was guest speaker on the night talking about the Exeter Live Better campaign.
And Andrew Moreman spoke in support of the event's chosen charity, Young Devon.
The awards were this year headlined sponsored by Openreach with support from Browne Jacobson, Devon County Council, Exeter College, Griffin Chartered Accountants, Lady's Mile Holiday Park, Marsh Kia Exeter, Radiance Medi Spa, The Moorland Hotel, Wollens and Walter H Squires.
Award for 'Mr Exeter' Derek Phillips
Business leaders have been congratulating Derek Phillips, who has been crowned this year's Exeter Champion at the Exeter Business Awards.
Nicknamed Mr Exeter, the Vice President of Exeter Chamber of Commerce has been praised for his years of dedicated work for the good of the city.
Karime Hassan, Chief Executive of Exeter City Council, said: "When you get to the secret of our success as a city, it's down to people like Derek.
"The reality is it takes a group of people to make things happen and he is the glue that binds people together.
"People call him Mr Exeter because he's always there, willing to talk about Exeter and he has been a brilliant ambassador.
"He has done it day in and day out for 20 years building the Exeter success story - it's a privilege to work with him."
Derek has been credited for being a driving force for growth in Exeter.
He gave 30 years’ service at the University of Exeter as Director of Campus Services and Managing Director of its four spin off companies and now holds 14 Company Directorships across the 海角视频.
He was influential in securing inward investment in the city, including John Lewis, Ikea and the Met Office, was a founder of the Exeter Business Improvement District which has generated £2.4 million over five years for the city and is a founder of the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink.
Derek also sits on the boards of Exeter Cathedral School and Exeter Phoenix.
Patrick Cunningham of Exeter Phoenix praised his passionate support of the city and said: "I don't think there is anyone quite like him or will be again".
And Ann Hunter, InExeter Bid Manager congratulated Derek on 'an incredibly well deserved award.'