Fifteen businesses left St Mellion International Resort with honours last night, many of whom were first time winners, as the best and the brightest were celebrated at the 14th Cornwall Business Awards 2019.

Organised for the second year by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth and Skills Hub, the Awards saw finalists from Liskeard to Hayle and Newquay to Falmouth come together to share their success. Trophies were awarded across several new categories as well as some old favourites; Best Family Business, Customer Service and Young Businessperson of the Year were joined by Best Business with a Purpose, Product of the Year and Best Marketing Campaign.

The winners included Bluefruit Software from Redruth who went home with two accolades, Best Place to Work and Growth Business of the Year, and Nick Eagles from Sports 4 Tots, who won new category – Sole Trader of the Year.  The hotly contested Exporter of the Year was awarded to Liskeard based Ideal Foods Ltd and Cultivate Cornwall CIC took away the Circular Economy Award.

“We’re so chuffed with Bluefruit winning Best Place to Work and Growth Business of the Year.  It goes to show that creating a positive work environment is not only compatible with business success but drives it.”says Paul Massey, director at BlueFruit Software

“We’re simply blown away, it’s beyond our dreams. We’ve been working at this for the past couple of years but never thought it would result in recognition like this. We’re really excited to be showcasing the circular economy on the high street in Bodmin.  It’s simply fantastic, I recommend any other business to enter the Awards.” added John Lakey, Cultivate Cornwall director.

Ocean plastic pioneers Odyssey Innovation Ltd were chosen by media partners Pirate FM for their Brand Builder Award, offering £10,000 worth of marketing support, and Claire Mason from Wadebridge based Kernow Fires was named Young Person of the Year.

A huge and heart felt congratulations to all of the finalist businesses, and particularly to those who took home an award last night. Everyone should be rightly proud of their achievements and it is these businesses that are putting Cornwall on the map, adding weight to the county’s burgeoning reputation for innovation, creativity and excellence.” comments Stu Anderson, operations director for the Growth and Skills Hub.

We are no strangers to the phenomenal talent of our business community, and this year’s record-breaking number of entries only serves to highlight the amazing work that goes on every day and in every corner of Cornwall.  It is an honour for the Growth & Skills Hub to continue to play a part in shining the spotlight on all of the finalists.”

The evening came to a close with Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust named as Business of the Year, following the first ever public vote that saw 10,000 people choosing their favourite from the list of 38 finalists.

Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Corserv | The School for Social Entrepreneurs, Cornwall (Truro)

Best Business with a Purpose sponsored by the Eden Project | St Petrocs (Truro)

Best Customer Service sponsored by St Austell Brewery | Blue Flame Heating (Penryn)

Best Family Business sponsored by St Austell Printing Company | Colwith Farm Distillery Ltd (Lanlivery)

Best Marketing Campaign sponsored by Commercial Estates Group | DCA Public Relations (Truro)

Best New Business sponsored by Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership | Pitched (Lanivet)

Best Place to Work sponsored by Cornwall College Business Training | Bluefruit Software (Redruth)

Business Leader of the Year sponsored by Unlocking Potential | Laura Whyte, Whyfield (Threemilestone)

Circular Economy Award sponsored by Tevi | Cultivate Cornwall CIC (Bodmin)

Exporter of the Year sponsored by Cornwall Trade & Investment | Ideal Foods Ltd (Liskeard)

Growth Business of the Year sponsored by Access to Finance | Bluefruit Software (Redruth)

Product of the Year sponsored by Business Cornwall | Oltco Ltd (Newquay)

Sole Trader of the Year sponsored by Growth Hub | Nick Eagles, Sports 4 Tots, (Praze-an-Beeble)

Young Businessperson of the Year sponsored by Truro & Penwith College | Claire Mason, Kernow Fires (Wadebridge)

Pirate FM Brand Builder Award sponsored by Pirate FM | Odyssey Innovation Ltd (Newquay)

Business of the Year determined by a public vote | Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (Newquay)