BUSINESS AWARDS 2015: Winners revealed

Bognor Regis-based firm Krowmark were the big winners on the night, walking away with overall business of the year and the customer service award.

“I’m really shocked,” said owner and managing director Mark Ponsford. “We’ve got 18,000 customers and not one of those will say a bad word about us but you never think it’s going to get recognised.”

He joked the company sold ‘a really boring product’.

We sell polo shirts, sweatshirts and fleeces,” he said.

“What makes our job exciting is the interaction with the customers.”

Mark’s company is based in the South Bersted Business Park and was formed in 2005.

It offers workwear products across the UK and has also earned a number-one rating as the UK’s best workwear company in Trustpilot.

Mark was there on the night with account managers Louise Quartermaine and Rachel Stickley.

“As an employee I’ve never worked for a boss who makes his customer service so important,” said Louise.

Fellow Bognor firm Regis Removals also had two wins, taking home medium business of the year, as well as business personality of the year for managing director David Wride.

Speaking after winning business personality, David said: “What can I say?

“I’m still overwhelmed and absolutely very proud to compete for such a great award.”

He added: “I think behind every good successful leader you have a good successful team.

“I never take anything for granted. I never take my members of staff for granted.”

The awards ceremony took place at the Avisford Park Hotel, near Arundel, with scores of shortlisted businesses attending the glamorous evening.

See the Chichester Observer, Bognor Regis Observer, Midhurst and Petworth Observer and Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday (April 16) for a supplement full of pictures and comments from the winners.

WINNERS LIST

- Hospitality, tourism and leisure, sponsored by Fontwell Park Racecourse

Judges’ recognition: Edes House

Winner: Kiddie Coupons

- Young achiever, sponsored by Creations Hair and Beauty Salon

Winner: Jack Keywood and Sam Shury from Luvcarpets

- Place to Eat, sponsored by Hilton Avisford Park Hotel

Winner: The Exclusive Cake Shop and Vintage Tea Room

- Start-Up, sponsored by Woods Travel

Judges’ recognition: Birdcage Barn Emporium

Winner: Office Flex

- Manufacturing and Construction, sponsored by Southdowns Builders

Winner: Newlife Paints

- Employer of the year, sponsored by Wannops LLP

Winner: Best Western Beachcroft Hotel

- Retailer, sponsored by VIP Venues by Kenmarché

Judges’ recognition: Phone-In

Winner: Andrew McDowall

- Employee or team of the year, sponsored by Q Hair and Beauty

Winner: Tracy Yelland from Nicholas Coppin Ltd

- Small business of the year, sponsored by The Martlet Partnership LLP

Judges’ recognition: LMS Computer Services

Winner: Applemoon Interiors

- Medium business of the year, sponsored by JSPC Computer Services

Winner: Regis Removals

- Large business of the year, sponsored by the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Winner: Millstone Landscapes

- Innovation, sponsored by Spofforths

Winner: Access by Design

- Green business

Judges’ recognition: Newlife Paints

Winner: The Woodhorn Group

- Business Personality, sponsored by Bonieri

Winner: David Wride, from Regis Removals

- Training and Development, sponsored by Chichester District Council

Winner: L Guess Jewellers

- Customer Service, sponsored by Johnston Press South Events

Judges’ recognition: Bay Tree Estates and Harrie’s Mobile Coffee Bars

Winner: Krowmark

- Outstanding contribution to the community, sponsored by the Chichester Rotary Club

Winner: Brad Ainsworth from Cathedral Wealth Management

- Lifetime achievement award, sponsored by Andrew McDowall

Winner: Roger Elsmere from Woods Travel

- Readers’ choice award

Third place: Kiddie Coupons

Second place: Tracy Yelland from Nicholas Coppin

First place: Chichester College

- Overall business of the year, sponsored by the University of Chichester

Krowmark