Close to 500 business people from across Oxfordshire packed into the John Henry Brookes building to celebrate the triumphant return of the Oxfordshire Business Awards.
After two years away due to the pandemic, The Oxfordshire Business Awards returned to celebrate the resilience, success and innovation of companies and entrepreneurs from across the county.
Winners were revealed across a lucky 13 awards categories. Since the Oxfordshire Business Awards began in 1994, the Awards has recognised the achievements of thousands of Oxfordshire businesses.
The Black-tie gala awards dinner was compared again this year by impressionist and comedian, Rory Bremner.
Oxfordshire Business Awards chairman Paul Lowe said:
“We congratulate the winners and the finalists and in fact every company which took the time to enter. For 26 years, the Oxfordshire Business Awards have championed businesses and individuals who have made a positive impact in Oxfordshire. It’s been an incredibly tough few years for many businesses, thanks first to Brexit, then the pandemic and most recently the Ukraine war. Their stoicism and determination to carry on is exceptional and this evening was an opportunity to pay tribute to that”.
2022 OXBA WINNERS
THE HAYS EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER: Abingdon & Witney College
A Further Education College in Oxfordshire with five sites across the South and West of the county. Offering a full range of courses, full-time and part-time, including apprenticeships, A-levels, short business courses, Higher Education and vocational courses.
Finalists
Gigaclear, Abingdon
Hedges Law, Oxford
THE OXFORDSHIRE LEP NEW BUSINESS AWARD
WINNER: Oxford Dynamics
Based at RAL Harwell Campus, part of the Harwell Space Cluster, Oxford Dynamics brings together serial tech entrepreneurial expertise, ‘new space’ technology development experience and cutting-edge artificial intelligence research.
Finalists
Quantum Dice, Oxford
Nucleome Therapeutics, Oxford
THE JACK FM OUTSTANDING VISITOR EXPERIENCE AWARD
WINNER: Oxfordshire Artweeks
The UK’s oldest and biggest artist open studios and pop-up exhibition event, celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
Finalists:
Wake up to Woodstock
365 Campers, Bicester
THE SHAW GIBBS YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER: Mike Hawkins, Hawkins Group of Companies, Banbury
Mike Hawkins joined the family business in 1999, aged 19. His dad always said don’t think about the profit, think about the client and doing a good job and success will come. Mike did exactly that and Hawkins Group of Companies has achieved huge growth in turnover, staff numbers, premises and now has 4 divisions within the business, which includes Hawkins Roofing, Hawkins Steel, Hawkins Projects and Hawkins Estates.
Finalists:
Jennifer Schivas, 67 Bricks, Oxford
Paul Hudson-Jones, The Gin to my Tonic, Faringdon
THE CIS TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE AWARD
WINNER: CryptoCycle
A Witney-based technology company which aims to help industries that suffer from fraud and errors by offering a synchronised and secure record of transactions with blockchain.
Finalists:
Foot Health UK, Banbury
Business Buzz Oxfordshire
THE HARTWELL CHARITY & COMMUNITY AWARD
WINNER: RAW, Oxford
As social enterprise located in Oxford helping the disadvantaged to gain confidence in the workplace and to develop their skills. It teaches employee the art of woodwork and they go on to learn the skills to create their own masterpieces. The workshop has trained the homeless, refugees, people with mental and physical disabilities and ex-offenders.
Finalists:
The Abingdon Bridge, Abingdon
The ICE Centre, Witney
THE RWK GOODMAN SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
WINNER: First Sight Media, Carterton
Experts in the live environment, it provides innovative solutions for virtual, hybrid and in person events as well as a range of video production and streaming services
Finalists:
ICE Oxford, Witney
HNB Construction Services, Bicester
THE OXFORD SCIENCE PARK INNOVATION AWARD
WINNER: OMass Therapeutics, Oxford
Originally spun out of Oxford University, OMass has commercialised Professor Dame Carol Robinson’s breakthrough research in native mass spectrometry to develop its proprietary drug discovery platform, OdyssION
Finalists:
Wirth Research, Bicester
HR Wallingford, Wallingford
THE BUSINESS & INNOVATION MAGAZINE GREEN AWARD
WINNER: Darcica Logistics, Wallingford
Launched in July 2020, Darcica Logistics is a family-owned business, providing fast and efficient delivery and fulfilment services. It currently have a team of more 50 drivers, running out of two large depots in Swindon and Bicester, providing services for a number of high profile organisations.
Finalists:
Ecoserv Group, Wallingford
Y.O.U Underwear, Oxford
THE NATWEST LARGE BUSINESS AWARD
WINNER: Owen Mumford, Woodstock
Owen Mumford is a global leader in medical device design and manufacture, leading innovation in this space and delivering medical device solutions that respond to customer and market needs. Now in its 70th year.
Finalists:
Polythene UK, Witney
Planet IT, Abingdon
THE SYNDICUT MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD
WINNER: Ridgefield Consulting, Oxford
Independent firm of Chartered Accountants in Oxford, Tax planning advice, personal and business tax accountants.
Finalists:
Urban Element, Witney
No Fluff Communications, Banbury
THE BICESTER VILLAGE RETAIL AWARD
WINNER: Grape Minds, Oxford
Oxford’s independent specialist in wine, spirits and beer.
Finalists:
Blue Blood Sports, Oxford
Rumsey’s Handmade Chocolates, Thame
THE SHAW GIBBS BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER: Frank Bothwell, Thomas Franks, Banbury
Oxfordshire caterers creating an innovative and seasonal approach to food, using only fresh ingredients and cooking from scratch for all our clients, every single day.
Finalists:
Neel Tank, Imogen Dental, Benson
James Woollard, Polythene UK, Witney
THE RIDGE AND PARTNERS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2022
WINNER: Thomas Franks
In 2004, Frank Bothwell and his wife Emma, established a contract catering company with a difference. They source with care and support small and local producers and suppliers.
The impact that they are making on the environment is at the forefront of their agenda. They are dedicated to working responsibly with clients, suppliers and employees to make positive changes.
www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk
