The best businesses and entrepreneurs across the Swansea Bay city region gathered for a glittering awrds show.
The 2020 Swansea Bay Business Awards, held at the Brangwyn Hall with an audience of nearly 400, the business community gathered to celebrate the successes in the region, from start-up firms through to larger corporates.
The evening was presented by Frances Donovan and South Wales Evening Post editor Jonathan Roberts.
Guest speaker at the awards was Helena Langdon, who leads the digital and customer service team at Innocent, and does everything from writing tweets on the train to writing and producing campaigns across digital, outdoor and on TV to dealing with serious and ridiculous customer service issues, and pretty much everything else in between.
In all there were 16 awards, with the overall sponsor being leading regional accountancy firm Bevan Buckland.
The overall Business of the Year Award winner — chosen from all the category winners — was LBS Builders Merchants, who also took the Family Business of the Year.
There was also a special Lifetime Achievement Award to Ron Mounsey, for his outstanding contribution to business and the regional economy, as well as his huge contribution to charities and good causes.
Opening his first McDonald’s restaurant in Carmarthen 22 years ago, Mr Mounsey now owns 16 restaurants, stretching from Newport to Pembrokeshire, and his company turns over more than £46m a year.
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The winners
- Social Enterprise Award, sponsored by Openreach Limited, Cymdeithas Caer Las
- Green business of the year, sponsored by Pennant Homes, Midas Mead
- Entrepreneur of the year, sponsored by Securahome, Sarah McNena
- International trade business of the year, sponsored by LTC Mobility, CDSM Interactive
- Best business start up, sponsored by Hygrove Homes, Bosco’s Holistic Pantry
- Young business person of the year, sponsored by University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Danielle Davies
- Apprenticeship development, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges, RDM Electrical & Mechanical Services
- Manufacturing business of the year, sponsored by Leather Sofa Company, AB Glass
- Tourism and hospitality business of the year, sponsored by Nuwave, Margam Country Park
- Innovation award, sponsored by HMT Sancta Maria Hospital, Power and Water
- Family business of the year, sponsored by Development Bank of Wales, LBS Builders Merchants
- Business of the Year 0-25 employees, sponsored by Homestore Interiors, Vortex IoT
- Business of the Year 26-149 employees, sponsored by JCP Solicitors, Character.com
- Business of the year 150+ employees, sponsored by Gower College Swansea, Castell Howell
- Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Swansea Bay Business Club, Ron Mounsey
- Business of the year, sponsored by Bevan Buckland, LBS Builders Merchants
The awards were opened with a rousing performance from Tenovus Cancer Care Sing with Us Choir.
Local band The Wurlitzers finished off the evening.
Managing partner of Bevan Buckland, Alison Vickers, said: “The awards evening proved to be an outstanding success. It was very pleasing to see so many successful businesses based in our region.
"We should be very proud of the number of entrepreneurs within Swansea Bay and the level of investment made and employment created by these businesses.”
Editor of the Western Mail’s sister paper, the South Wales Evening Post, Jonathan Roberts, added: “The Swansea Bay Business Awards was another hugely successful night, celebrating the very best of our region’s business community.
“At a time when so many companies face unprecedented uncertainty, it was so encouraging to hear many stories of success.
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“A common theme throughout the night was the importance of people in driving our local economy. So while our business leaders were rightly in the spotlight, they were very keen to share that praise with their workforce. As we look ahead towards another year of turbulence, we can have great confidence in the Swansea Bay community to not just weather the storm, but emerge even stronger.”
The award judging panel consisted of Ms Vickers from Bevan Buckland; Megan Colbeck from Cyden, last year’s Business of the year winners; Danni Watts-Jones, Woman of the year at the 2019 Women in Business Awards; and Chris Pyke, Editor Swansea Bay Business Life.