2018 Awards

Best New Business in Cornwall

This award is open to start ups and also businesses that have relocated to Cornwall. The award recognises outstanding achievement from a company that started trading in Cornwall on or after 01.01.2016. The judges are looking for companies that have exceeded expectations and forecasts,demonstrated tangible evidence of commercial success and have a clear and compelling vision for the future.

Sponsored by Outset Cornwall

Outset Cornwall logo

The Outset programme provides tailor-made business start-up support to individuals within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly thanks to funding by the European Regional Development Fund, DCH and the Outset Foundation.

Designed to help you accomplish that dream of starting a business, our flexible approach means our workshops can be adapted to suit everyone’s individual needs.

Young Business Person of the Year

This award is made to the business person under the age of 30 that best demonstrates ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. This award is open both to young entrepreneurs that are enjoying success in building their own business and to those employees that have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.

Sponsored by Truro and Penwith College

Truro and Penwith College is a tertiary college and one of the best further education colleges in the country. Awarded the Training Quality Standard, Truro and Penwith College Business delivers high quality training and development solutions that make a real difference to employers. Apprenticeships, Business Skills, Management Training and Professional Qualifications are part of a complete range of opportunities offered throughout Cornwall to boost business performance.


Employer of the Year

This award is open to all businesses regardless of number of employees. The judges will make the award to the business that best demonstrates how its people development strategies have improved its performance and create a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

Sponsored by Cornwall College Business

Cornwall College Business

Cornwall College Business offers degrees and professional qualifications in business, accounting, marketing, management, sales, law, tourism,information technology, sport, regeneration, manufacturing and retail. Its links with businesses ensure courses are relevant, accessible and recognised by industry. The Business School is an accredited provider of a number of professional courses including the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Chartered Management Institute and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, equipping students with the necessary skills to pursue professional careers.


Most Creative Use of Design

The judges will make this award to the business that has developed the most effective strategy for creative use of design and can show significant impact on their business as a result. Evidence will be required of a clearly thought through and implemented strategy.

Sponsored by CEG

Commercial Estates Group

CEG build communities, by regenerating, redeveloping and re-imagining local areas. CEG is delivering two significant developments in Cornwall at Carlyon Bay, St Austell and Saltash. We work closely with local councils and residents to deliver new homes, business spaces and inspirational places around the UK, enabling communities to flourish.

Their portfolio covers nine million square feet, with a capital value of around £800 million. Our rental income is at £50 million, with a value of around £66 million.


Most Dynamic Growth Business

The judges of this Award will look for the business that best demonstrates an organic growth strategy (rather than merger & acquisition activity) that has achieved outstanding levels of sales, profit and market share through the adoption of technology, the identification and penetration of new markets, the development of new products or processes or a combination of these.

Sponsored by Transform

Transform Transform offers coaching to established businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with ambition for growth. Support is tailored to each business’ individual needs, helping owners access tools and resources as they look to the next stage of their business journey. Transform also offers recruitment support to businesses looking to grow their teams. The programme is delivered by Oxford Innovation in partnership with Unlocking Potential and financed by the European Regional Development Fund


Best Family Business

The judges will make this award to the business that best demonstrates how running a family owned and managed business has added significantly to its competitive advantage. The judges will be looking for evidence of how using the family angle has sustained and grown the business.

Sponsored by St Austell Printing Company

St Austell Print Company logo

St Austell Printing Company is an award winning, family-run printing company with over 35 years experience in quality lithographic and digital printed communications. Based in our purpose-built sustainable factory on the outskirts of St Austell, we offer a full range of printing services as well as an in-house mailing and fulfilment department. We are proud to work with companies of all sizes both here in Cornwall as well as across the UK.

With an ongoing commitment to promoting the Cornish economy, we are undertaking a continued investment in equipment and offering skilled opportunities to local people – helping Cornwall to stay at the forefront of print manufacturing.


Business Innovation of the Year

This award will be made to the company that best demonstrates success with an innovative individual product or service launched anytime in the last year. The judges will be looking for evidence of initial understanding of the market; scale and depth of the planning and development prior to the launch; market acceptance (e.g. market research, press reviews, reports, industry awards); proof of bookings/sales; and demonstration of the long-term potential (i.e. Projected market share, projected sales figures).

Sponsored by CORSERV

CORSERV is a new company established by Cornwall Council to provide strategic direction and oversight for its existing arm’s length and commercial trading companies: CORMAC Solutions Ltd, Cornwall Airport, Cornwall Housing, Cornwall Development Company and our Nottinghamshire joint venture company, Via East Midlands Limited.


Winner of Winners

This award will be made to the outstanding organisation or person from each of the winning categories that best demonstrates significant growth, ambition and innovation in its market sector, strong financial performance, significant presence within its sector, as well as a significant contribution to Cornwall.

Sponsored by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce logo

Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has been representing, inspiring and influencing the business community in Cornwall for 25 years. As we look forward to the next 25, the need for businesses to collaborate, to lobby powerfully and to have an ally that advocates best practice in all respects has never been stronger. We make doing business easier in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly by helping your business to be a winner.

Customer Focus

The judges will make this Award to the organisation that best demonstrates that it has the customer at the heart of its business and deploys and manages its resources to most effectively meet the needs of its customer base.

Sponsored by St Austell Brewery

St Austell Brewery logo

Founded in 1851 by Walter Hicks, St Austell Brewery is one of the oldest businesses in Cornwall. The company owns an award-winning estate of 178 pubs and hotels across the South West and is one of Cornwall’s largest employers with over 1,500 full and part time employees. Our mission statement to serve customers with excellence ensures distinctive experiences for all guests, whether through premium accommodation, high quality food or the company’s well-established range of award-winning beers.


Manufacturer of the Year

The award will be made to the manufacturing business that, in the opinion of the judges, best demonstrates the effective use of methodologies and techniques that focus on improvements in: quality, cost, productivity, physical waste reduction and non-value added activity, customer service and safety. Judges will also look for evidence of an engaged workforce and development of a lasting culture of continuous improvement.

Sponsored by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP

LEP Logo

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership drives activity to support business growth, create jobs and help people realise their potential. We are led by local business people working together with Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly to set the priorities for how our economy should grow. Our role is to oversee how best to invest over £1 billion of public, private and European funds in the local economy by 2020.


Best Third Sector Business

Businesses in this sector are established primarily with social or environmental objectives and their surpluses are principally reinvested for that same purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.

The judges are looking for third sector businesses (charities, social enterprises, other not-for-profit organisations, etc) driven by social and environmental aims that have set clear objectives, met or exceeded expectations and forecasts, demonstrated tangible evidence of success and have a clear and compelling vision for the future.

Sponsored by Eden Project

Eden Project

The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. Nestled in a huge crater, massive Biomes house the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.  As a registered charity all money raised supports transformational projects and learning programmes.


Sustainable Business of the Year

The award will be made to the business that, in the opinion of the judges, best demonstrates a clear focus on sustainability through, for example, environmental policy, energy use, innovation, responsible purchasing and employment practices. Judges will be looking for evidence of an engaged workforce and commitment to a culture of sustainability driven by the company leadership and management.

Sponsored The University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is globally recognised as one of the top universities in terms of both quality of teaching and impact of research. We have developed an international reputation as a pre-eminent research institute, based in Cornwall, by collaborating with local stakeholders to undertake cutting-edge research addressing scientific, medical, and social concerns. Our two Cornwall Campuses: the Truro Campus, located at the Knowledge Spa near the Royal Cornwall Hospital, and the Penryn Campus are key to our global and regional successes. We provide knowledge exchange and business support services to companies throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.


Excellence in Digital Marketing

The judges will make this Award for a specific digital marketing campaign that has achieved high levels of commercial success for the relevant product or service. The judges will be looking for successful engagement of customers in new and interesting ways and a clearly expressed and articulated objective led digital campaign strategy leading to measurable business results.

Sponsored Business Cornwall

Business Cornwall logo

Business Cornwall is Cornwall’s only dedicated business news website and magazine. All the latest business news, information and advice on one dedicated site.


Best International Business

In this category, judges are looking for companies who demonstrate significant export sales and who in the judges’ opinion show the greatest success in accessing overseas markets.

Sponsored by Pall Corporation

Pall Corporation logo

Pall Corporation is an industry leader and manufacturer of proprietary filtration, separation and purification products and solutions.


Entrepreneur of the Year

This award will be made to the outstanding individual who best demonstrates exceptional vision and leadership in the development of an owner-managed business. The winner has to demonstrate clear identification of an opportunity, as well as innovation, growth, strong financial performance for sales and profit growth. The winner will have contributed to their industry sector and the wider community.

Sponsored by Unlocking Potential

At Unlocking Potential we deliver a range of services for people looking for their dream professional job, entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses here in Cornwall.

Future Focus is an inspiring and practical programme crafted specifically for Cornwall-based business leaders who want to future-proof their businesses. We understand time is short for those at the top – so we’ll help you discover strength and energy to accelerate growth, reduce risk and create change. This programme from Unlocking Potential will arm you with the tools, resources and collaborative networks to break boundaries, innovate and prosper. The programme is part-funded by the European Development Fund.