Judges have tough task over selecting Local Business Accelerators winner

Fast-rising recruitment firm Green Fish emerged to claim the honours, beating some strong competition from entrants from across the Herald and Gazette readership.

The initiative, which was first launched last year by the Newspaper Society, has seen hundreds of titles across the country sign up to support a raft of companies within their respective areas.

There was certainly all to play for with a prize of three months of advertising worth thousands up for grabs.

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Our three judges, Tina Tilley, of Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce, Chay Took, senior partner with accountancy firm Spofforths, and James Stoner, MD of award-winning IT firm JSPC, met up at the Burlington Hotel in Worthing to deliberate on the competition.

The trio, who will also be offering mentoring to the wining firm, selected two runners-up – innovative Shoreham baby blanket firm Snugglebundl and Mocha workspace furniture, which will both gain mentoring.

Chay Took said: “Green Fish is a deserving winner having built up a strong strategy working in a tough marketplace. We look forward to working with Shelley Stafford from the company.”

James Stoner added: “This is a young business that with some mentoring can become an even bigger company. As its application indicated, it needs some support from the business community and we will help it in gaining new opportunities.”

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Tina Tilley added the firm was a worthy winner and felt she would like to have been able to support even more firms if possible.

Shelley Stafford, MD of Green Fish, said: “I am delighted the company has been recognised and I am looking forward to working with the mentors. This will be a good means of lifting the profile of the business. I have some great clients, but hope to reach even more now.”