2019 KEiBA Award Winners Announced
For 2019, RIFT co-sponsored the prestigious Medium Business Of The Year category alongside Locate in Kent; find out who won in this year's KEiBA awards.
The Kent Excellence in Business award show is always a fantastic event for us at RIFT. Kent’s business community is a dynamic and thriving environment, and the KEiBAs are a fitting way to pay tribute to that enthusiasm and innovative spirit. For 2019, RIFT co-sponsored the prestigious Medium business of the Year category along with Locate in Kent, which saw Orbital Net take the award despite fierce competition from finalists Catchpole & Rye, GingerMay, TPS Global Logistics.
Winning a KEiBA has always been about more than simple financial success. The awards are a celebration of spirit, ambition and innovation over simple turnover. An ideal entrant is one with a clear concept of what it wants to achieve and the commitment and drive to forge an unconventional path to it. RIFT has always stood behind the dreamers with big ideas and bold thinking, and the Medium Business of the Year category is an ideal platform to spread that message.
So, on to the winners of the 2019 KEiBA awards:
Employer of the Year
Winner: Sleeping Giant Media
Finalists: Colorcon Ltd, Tribeca Technology
Sponsored by: Furley Page
Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: Texcel Technology
Finalists: Bulgaro, Haltons Food Services
Sponsored by: University of Greenwich & asb law
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Bulgaro
Finalists: Vital Parts, ZENii
Sponsored by: Creaseys & Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
Construction Project of the Year
Winner: Modus Construction Consultants
Finalists: BBS Construction, Quinn Estates
Sponsored by: Wilkins Kennedy & Ashford College & West Kent College
Customer Service Award
Winner: Sleeping Giant Media
Finalists: ADM Computing, Colorcon, InfoTech Solutions (UK)
Sponsored by: Barclays
Exporter of the Year
Winner: Vespa Design and Publishing
Finalists: Bedfont Scientific, Haltons Food Services
Sponsored by: Crowe
Family Business of the Year
Winner: Walker Construction
Finalists: Scallywags, Team Hard Racing, TPS Global Logistics
Sponsored by: Gallagher Group
Small Business of the Year
Winner: Elvis & Kresse
Finalists: A+C Studio, Kent Crisps & Kentish Condiments, The Recruitment Network
Sponsored by: G and C Media
Medium Business of the Year
Winner: Orbital Net
Finalists: Catchpole & Rye, GingerMay, TPS Global Logistics
Sponsored by: Rift Group & Locate in Kent
Large Business of the Year
Winner: Childrensalon
Finalists: Baxall Construction, Outset UK Group
Sponsored by: Castle Corporate Finance
Valuing Disability Business of the Year
Winner: Bluewater
Finalists: Royal British Legion Industries, Twilight Cleaning
Sponsored by: The Education People & bemix
Start-up of the Year
Winner: Vidbuild
Finalists: My Careers Options, Orchard Pods
Sponsored by: Caxtons
Technology Business of the Year
Winner: Clevertouch
Finalists: Lucas UK Group, PageSuite
Sponsored by: Cripps Pemberton Greenish & University of Kent
Apprenticeship of the Year
Winner: Sleeping Giant Media
Finalists: Hospice in the Weald, Vital Parts
Sponsored by: The Education People
Business Commitment to the Community
Winner: Childrensalon
Finalists: Canterbury Rugby Club, Red Eagle
Sponsored by: Golding Homes
Commitment to the Environment Award
Winner: Coolings Garden Centre
Finalists: Frasers of Egerton, Winterdale Cheesemakers
Sponsored by: Low Carbon Kent
Outstanding Contribution Award
Paul Barrett
Barretts Motor Group
Congratulations go out to all of this year’s entrants, finalists and winners. In tribute, RIFT MD Bradley Post had this to say:
“At RIFT, we always find the KEiBAs an inspiring event. It’s been a great honour to be involved in the awards over the years, whether as winner, judge or sponsor. As a Kent business ourselves, we’re well acquainted with the challenges and rewards, the tough decisions and calculated risks, the obstacles and opportunities facing businesses of any sector. That understanding only deepens our appreciation of the ambition, tenacity and energy of KEiBA entrants.”
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