Bridgwater College were proud hosts of the 2015 Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards, sponsored by Alstom Power UK, on Thursday 19 March 2015.

The Awards are designed to promote the excellent work taking place with the Sedgemoor region of Somerset and to encourage others to do the same, while acknowledging the opportunities and successes of local business people.

Sponsors of the event included Bridgwater College, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, Pardoes Solicitors, Somerset Cricket Club, L Lynch, Bridgwater Town Council, Milsted Langdon, Sedgemoor District Council, Higos Insurance, Allen Construction, the Breeze and Butterworth Jones.

Principal sponsor Alstom Power UK, is active in the rail, power and electricity transmission sectors, operates from 30 sites and employs more than 6000 people across the country. Approximately a third of all rail journeys in the UK are made on Alstom rolling stock, and they are currently testing new tidal turbine technology in waters off Orkney. Alstom also operates the only large scale transformer manufacturing facility in the UK. With sites in Stafford and Rugby, Alstom have been at the forefront of engineering developments since the 19th-century and continue to produce cutting edge technology for projects across the world. 

BBC Somerset’s Emma Britton was a fantastic host and presented eleven awards on the night.

• Charity of the Year: Burnham Area Rescue Boat
• Family Business of the Year: Hippychick
• Independent Trader of the Year: Nice-Buns
• Best International Trader: Hippychick
• Marketing and Promotion Award: Red Berry Recruitment (received for developing such a high profile and visible brand)
• Customer Service Excellence Award: South West Digital Systems (for their outstanding attention to detail)
• Best New Business of the Year Award: WPS Cleaning and Maintenance (for their exceptional customer service and guaranteed work)
• Micro Business of the Year Award: South West Digital Systems
• Small Business of the Year: Micron Bio-Systems (recognised for their consistent innovation to support industry growth)
• Large Business of the Year: William Hayley Engineering Ltd (for the innovative procedures they have put in place to achieve success)

The final award of the evening was the Young Entrepreneur Award and was presented to Eclectic Lemon of Bridgwater. Eclectic Lemon are a successful company set up by three Apprentices with the goal to make Bridgwater Arts Centre more appealing to young people. The company intend to use the £1,000 bursary to research and develop new and emerging artists in the area. 

Andy Berry, Vice Principal at Bridgwater College said,

“It is a privilege to be hosting the Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards on the Bridgwater College campus for the third year running. As a College we feel privileged to be involved in celebrating the successes and achievements of local individuals and businesses. All those shortlisted for awards have done exceptionally well and should be very proud of what they have achieved and their contribution to the local community and beyond.”

Steven Jones, Vice President for Thermal Services North Europe Area at Alstom Power UK added,

“We are proud to be in partnership with Bridgwater College on various levels, including our apprenticeship programme, the introduction of a new traineeship programme and principal sponsor for this prestigious event. It was a pleasure to be a part of the evening and celebrate the success of the businesses in Sedgemoor. I wish the winners every success in their ongoing endeavours.”

If you would like any further information about the Sedgemoor Business Awards please contact Amelia Davies on 01278 655111 or visit www.sedgemoorbusinessawards.co.uk