The awards are the county’s annual search to reveal and celebrate Hampshire’s brightest business talent, sponsored by Bond Pearce, KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

The evening got off to a flying start with a brand new award for 2008. The inaugural Outstanding Contribution to Hampshire Business was presented to Paul Lester, chief executive of VT Group Plc by Ian Murray, editor-in chief of the Daily Echo. The judging panel highlighted Paul Lester’s leadership of Hedge End-based VT Group, which has successfully added to the company’s defence sector projects through diversification into support services, protecting and increasing jobs in the county.

The second presentation at the automotive-themed awards was the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, presented to Isle-of-Wight-based amplifier designer and manufacturer Milmega Ltd for its innovative new range of products, launched in 2007 after a year-long development programme.

Nick Page, partner at Bond Pearce, said: “By combining genuine innovation with market leading business leadership, Milmega proves that through innovation it’s possible to be a global leader from the furthest corner of Hampshire.”

The two runners up in the award were Alton-based Luberation Laboratory Ltd and Crown Media LLP from Brockenhurst.

The next category was the RBS International Trade Award, won by Totton-based Garmin (Europe) Ltd. The company, part of the global Garmin group, was presented with the award for its strong growth across Europe, Africa and the Middle East from its Hampshire base.

Simon Pickett, head of corporate banking at The Royal Bank of Scotland in the Solent, said: “Garmin’s commitment to international trade has resulted in huge growth in sales and the number of locally-based staff, making it a worthy winner.”

Garmin beat off competition from finalists ACW Technology Ltd and Femcare-Nikomed Ltd.

The evening culminated with the KPMG Company of the Year, in which the title went to Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling Ltd. The Nursling-based aggregate company supplies materials to the construction industry from its own quarries, collects and recycles by-products of construction projects, and operates landfill sites.

Phil Cotton, partner at KPMG’s South Coast office, said: “Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling stood out as the winner for its clear commercial strategy and business practises which have the added benefit of enhancing and protecting Hampshire’s environment.”

Runners up in the KPMG Company of the Year were Chewton Glen Hotel and Garmin (Europe) Ltd. -Ends-

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Eight county businesses have been announced as finalists in this year’s Hampshire Business Awards.

The judges of the prestigious awards, sponsored by Bond Pearce, KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), have now named the organisations which are in with a chance of winning one of three accolades.

They are (in alphabetical order):

The Bond Pearce Innovation Award

• Crown Media LLP – media consultancy based in Brockenhurst;

• The Luberation Laboratory – Alton-based manufacturer and supplier of organic intimacy products;

• Milmega Ltd – designer and manufacturer of solid state high power broadband amplifiers from Ryde, Isle of Wight.

KPMG Company of the Year

• Chewton Glen Hotel – country house hotel and spa in New Milton;

• Garmin Europe Ltd – Southampton-based distributor of mobile navigation devices;

• Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling Ltd – aggregate and minerals company based in Nursling.

The RBS International Trade Award

• ACW Technology Ltd – electronics manufacturer based in Hedge End;

• Femcare-Nikomed Ltd – Romsey-based supplier of products for gynaecology, urology and general surgery;

• Garmin Europe Limited – see above.

Simon Pickett of RBS said: “This year’s line-up represents an excellent mix of organisations from different industries with the manufacturing, consumer products, technology, tourism and service sectors all represented. The current economic environment is proving to be tough, but the resilience, strength and achievements of these eight companies is a real source of inspiration.”

The shortlist has been produced following a rigorous six week judging process, which consisted of a review of all entries, a series of site visits and presentations from companies in the running for the final stage. Each of the three awards’ judging panels, made up of leading Hampshire business figures, then met to reach their conclusions.

Nick Page of Bond Pearce said: “It was a really tough decision to produce a shortlist of just three companies in each category. We had very strong contenders and would like to thank all those who entered this year.”

Phil Cotton of KPMG added: “There are six weeks to go until our awards dinner at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, where we are looking forward to announcing this year’s winners.”

The awards dinner will be held on Thursday 25th September, 2008.

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The Hampshire Business Awards 2008 launched today, beginning this year’s race to find the very best business talent in the county.

The awards, sponsored by law firm Bond Pearce, professional services firm KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), are now in their eighteenth year and have a long tradition of revealing the very best of Hampshire businesses.

Nick Page, commercial partner at Bond Pearce, said: “With the awards turning eighteen this year, we are keen to make this the biggest and best search for talented companies and would like to receive as many entries as possible to celebrate the awards’ special birthday.”

Three award categories are now open for entry: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and RBS International Trade Award. Businesses can enter as many of the three categories as they wish ahead of the deadline of Thursday 12th June 2008.

Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG’s South Coast office said: “The three awards cover different aspects of business and allow entrants to shout about their successes and achievements in different ways, be it through all-round business excellence, exciting new innovations or a strong track record of international trade.”

Each year the awards dinner showcases some of the county’s most interesting venues and this year’s awards will be no exception. The campaign will culminate with a black tie dinner at one of Hampshire’s top attractions, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Simon Pickett, head of corporate banking for RBS in the Solent, said: “As 2008 is a landmark year for the awards, we wanted to make the event truly different and we have some really exciting plans for this year’s automotive-themed awards dinner.”

For further information, log on to www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk or email info@hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk

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