Sussex Business Awards

The 21st anniversary of the Sussex Business Awards concluded with a bang this evening as the winners of the 2009 Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Grand Hotel, Brighton. The event was attended by over 350 business representatives from across the region.

Drusillas Zoo Park was one of the big winners of the night. They were awarded with the prestigious title of Sussex Company of the Year, as well as the gong for Best Customer Service in Sussex. Recognised as the best small zoo in the UK, Drusillas has been part of family life in Sussex for many years.

However, it was FDM Group plc which received the greatest recognition taking home awards for International Business of the Year and Best Employer in Sussex. Rod Flavell, Managing Director of FDM Group plc, was honoured with the celebrated title of Sussex Businessperson of the Year. FDM Group plc is a £55m international IT services company, with a winning formula. A past Sussex Company of the Year and winner of numerous awards for excellence in training and computing.

Malcolm Diamond, chairman of the judges commented: “This evening’s ceremony demonstrates the breadth and scope of businesses that the region offers. Those honoured this evening are truly deserving of the titles with which they have been awarded.

“Rod Flavell at FDM Group plc has done an outstanding job over the last year and it is a privilege to be operating in a region of which they are part.”

Other winners on the night were:

Electric Hairdressing, Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Royal Mail.
Paul Craig from Absolute Brighton, Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Redseven.
Theatre Royal Brighton, Award for Leisure and Tourism, sponsored by Midnight Communications.
Sussex Uniforms, Best New Business of the Year, sponsored by The Argus.
Brighton Body Casting, Creative Industries Award, sponsored by 021 Creative.
Family Investments, Business in the Community Award, sponsored by Sussex Life.
Propellernet, Healthiest Workplace Award, sponsored by NHS West Sussex.
Southern Water, The Training Award, sponsored by Kelta HR.
Pureprint Group, Award for the Most Sustainable Business, sponsored by Veolia Environmental Services.
Propellernet, Award for Innovation in Business, sponsored by University of Brighton.

For more information or press ready images, please contact:
Fiona Graves/Caraline Brown
Midnight Communications
Tel: 01273 666 200
Email: sussex@midnight.co.uk

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Notes to editors

The awards are fully administrated and managed by one of the south east’s leading independent PR agencies, Midnight Communications.

The Sussex Business Awards are supported by a range of local and national organisations including Deloitte, Royal Mail, Southern FM/ Heart, Redseven, The Grand Hotel, Midnight Communications, The Argus, 021 Creative, Sussex Life, NHS West Sussex, Kelta HR, asb law, Domestic and General, Veolia Environmental Services and University of Brighton. 

 The Sussex Business Awards 2009 winners

 
Sussex Company of the Year
Sponsor: Deloitte
Winner: Drusillas Zoo Park
Runner ups: FDM Group plc and Fittleworth Medical Ltd

The Small Business of the Year
Sponsor: Royal Mail
Winner: Electric Hairdressing
Runner ups: Access – by Design and Allwoods

The Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsor: Redseven
Winner: Paul Craig, Absolute Brighton
Runner ups: Mark Woolley, Electric Hairdressing

The Sussex Businessperson of the Year
Sponsor: Heart
Winner: Rod Flavell, FDM Group plc

Runner ups:
Penina Shepherd, Acumen Business Law
Mark Woolley, Electric Hairdressing
Susan Fleet, Lea Graham Associates
Holly Heggadon, Sparks Yard General Store Ltd
 
The International Business of the Year
Sponsor: The Grand Hotel
Winner: FDM Group plc
Runner ups: Camillin Denny Architects Limited and Hughes Pumps Ltd

The Award for Leisure & Tourism
Sponsor: Midnight Communications
Winner: Theatre Royal Brighton
Runner ups: Drusillas Zoo Park and Southern Water

The Best New Business of the Year
Sponsor: The Argus
Winner: Sussex Uniforms
Runner ups: Crunch.co.uk and Brighton Body Casting

The Creative Industries Award
Sponsor: 021 creative
Winner: Brighton Body Casting
Runner ups: Shoal Creative Ltd and Southern Water

The Business in the Community Award
Sponsor: Sussex Life
Winner: Family Investments
Runner ups: Passington and Southern Water

The Healthiest Workplace Award
Sponsor: NHS West Sussex
Winner: Propellernet
Runner ups: Domestic & General Services Ltd and The Sussex County Sports Partnership

The Training Award
Sponsor: Kelta HR
Winner: Southern Water
Runner ups: Cathedral Works Organisation (Chichester) Ltd and Mid Sussex District Council

The Award for the Best Employer in Sussex
Sponsor: asb law
Winner: FDM Group plc
Runner ups: ADA Technology Services and Propellernet

The Award for the Best Customer Service in Sussex
Sponsor: Domestic & General
Winner: Drusillas Zoo Park
Runner ups: Acumen Business Law and Posture People

The Award for the Most Sustainable Business
Sponsor: Veolia Environmental Services
Winner: Pureprint Group
Runner ups: Brighton & Hove City Council and Morgan Ashurst plc

The Award for Innovation in Business
Sponsor: University of Brighton
Winner: Propellernet
Runner ups: Acumen Business Law and Nido Marketing