Finalists revealed for business awards

The finalists have today been revealed for the 2023 Shropshire Chamber Business Awards.

The showpiece Company of the Year award will be decided between two previous winners – Oswestry home safety firm Aico and Dodd Group from Telford - plus two Shrewsbury-based businesses, Shropshire Homes and marketing firm Reech.

Aico is shortlisted in three categories this year, while there are also multiple nominations for Telford College, Exascale, PaveAways, and Shrewsbury Colleges Group.

This year’s finalists come from all corners of the county, including Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Shifnal, Bishop’s Castle, Ellesmere, Market Drayton, and Knockin.

The awards will be handed out at a glittering Oscars-style event in front of hundreds of guests at Telford’s International Centre on Friday June 23.

For details about the event, see shropshirechamberbusinessawards.com.

Ruth Ross, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber, said: “The awards night is always a fantastic occasion, celebrating the extraordinary adaptability, innovation and success of our business community.

“Once again, we have been amazed and delighted by the volume and quality of entries, including very strong interest in our new categories. Shortlisting each of them down to a final four was a really tough task for our independent judging panel.”

Teams of judges will be visiting each of the finalists at their premises during May to make their final decision.

The competition was open to all businesses with an operational base in the county of Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin – whether or not they are a Chamber member.

It includes the return of long-running categories including Company of the Year, Best New Business, and Best Small Business.

There are also new-look categories this year for Global Business recognising international trade, Commitment To People, and a return of the Business In The Community award.

“The Shropshire Chamber Business Awards are firmly established among the largest events of their kind in the country, with a history stretching back more than 20 years,” said Ruth Ross.

“We know that Shropshire businesses are going to be facing significant challenges over the coming year, so it’s more important than ever to celebrate and recognise the success stories of our incredible collection of 2023 finalists.”

THE FULL LIST OF 2023 FINALISTS

COMPANY OF THE YEAR:

Aico, Oswestry

Dodd Group, Telford

Reech, Shrewsbury

Shropshire Homes, Shrewsbury

BEST NEW BUSINESS:

8 Financial Planning, Telford

Charlie The Vet, Shrewsbury

Coton Meadows Pet & Equine Crematorium, Whitchurch

Film Shropshire, Shrewsbury

BEST SMALL BUSINESS:

Chrisbeon Office Supplies, Telford

Exascale, Telford

Mutneys Professional Pet Care, Market Drayton

The Shropshire Distillery, Ellesmere

COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE:

Assured Vehicle Rental, Telford

Liquid Fleet, Telford

Rotherwood Healthcare, Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Colleges Group

GLOBAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:

Aviramp, Telford

Jesmonite, Bishop’s Castle

Seymour Manufacturing International, Telford

Telecom Infrastructure Partners, Shrewsbury

COMMUNITY CHAMPION - BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY:

Aico, Oswestry

Azets, Shrewsbury

Bright Star Boxing, Shifnal

Pave Aways, Knockin

EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING:

CEL Group, Telford

Fabdec, Ellesmere

Northwood Hygiene Products, Telford

SDE Technology, Shrewsbury

WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE:

Dyke Yaxley, Shrewsbury and Telford

Housing Plus Group, Shrewsbury

Iconsys, Telford

Pave Aways, Knockin

THE TRAILBLAZER – INNOVATION AWARD:

Aico, Oswestry

Exascale, Telford

Start Tech, Shrewsbury

Telford College

THE ECO AWARD:

Shrewsbury Colleges Group

Staysafe PPE, Bridgnorth

The Little Green Pantry, Telford

Tradology UK, Telford

YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON:

Aleesha Skett – The HR Dept Shropshire

Annabel Hemingbrough – Telford College/Purple Frog Systems

Dylan Purewal – Berrys

Faye Hudson – Reech

The John Clayton Award, named after a previous Shropshire Chamber president, will also be presented on the night to someone who is judged by the Chamber board to have made an outstanding contribution to the local business community.

Launched in 2001, the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards have attracted audiences of more than 900 people for the black-tie celebration and become one of the largest and longest running business awards events in the UK.

Pictured: Last year's Company of the Year winners Aico