38 ’Ones to Watch’ awards
David Murray, The Business Magazine’s managing editor and publisher, played host for the private dinner marking the publication of the new 2014 Solent 250 listings (full details at
www.businessmag.co.uk.
“The Solent 250 listing is not a pecking order, but a grouping of talented and successful private independent businesses in the region,
based on turnover,“ he explained. As such, the aim of The Business Magazine and the sponsors of the Solent 250 – HSBC, Grant Thornton and Blake Morgan – was to fly the flag for business success within the Solent region.
“The Solent 250 data shows that businesses are, in the main, increasing sales,“ Murray stated. Cumulative turnover had increased from £11.94
Owner-Managed Business of the Year Presented by: Blake Morgan • Winner: SHB Hire (No 44)
A family-owned business with a 540-strong staff, chairman Mike Street welcomed his son Paul as managing director at the start of this year.
Founded in 1968, Romsey-based SHB today operates on a nationwide basis with 14 operational sites and 180 technicians ensuring dependable UK coverage. It is industry- recognised as a ’one-stop-shop’ for all types of vehicle hire.
Mike Street (right) chairman of SHB Hire receives his award from Tim Forer of Blake Morgan
Rising Star
Presented by Blake Morgan Winner: Be Wiser Insurance (No 125)
Hampshire-based Be Wiser Insurance is an independent insurance broker regulated and approved by the FCA. It is also one of the fastest- growing personal lines brokers in the UK. Turnover has grown from £17.4m in May 2012 to almost £26m this year. Be Wiser Insurance has also been listed in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for three years in succession, a distinction achieved by very few companies.
That one-stop-shop approach provides tailored, flexible vehicle management solutions to customers 24/7, 365 days a year, and last year a turnover approaching £70 million. Customer packages, often bespoke to their needs, include
It operates from offices in Andover and has more than 500 members of staff – each highly trained and experienced in order to offer expert advice to every client. Plainly recognising that its people are its most valuable asset, Be Wiser insurance was acknowledged as a leading employer when it won the Employer of the Year title at this year’s Inspire Business Awards.
Acting for the majority of the largest UK-based insurance companies (Be Wiser has more than 30 insurance companies on its panel) the firm simply aims to get the best insurance policy at the best price for each individual client. A client base in excess of 150,000 helps enable the negotiation of excellent policy rates from Be Wiser’s insurer
Be Wiser director Andrew Dunkerley (right) collects the award from Blake Morgan’s James Hawkeswood
partners, and a wide variety of insurance cover ranging from vehicles and travel (over 80 types), to home, health, medical, life and income protection.
International Business Growth
Established in Southampton in 1985, Oil Spill Response is wholly owned by responsible and environmentally-committed oil and energy companies. Its 284 staff operate globally providing the resources needed for efficient and effective response to industry-related emergency scenarios.
In the past financial year its turnover soared from £37.3m to £57m, almost all that growth being international, following strategic acquisitions and organic growth to enhance OSRL’s global
www.businessmag.co.uk Presented by: Grant Thornton • Winner: Oil Spill Response (No 53)
preparedness, training, and response services and networks. It is now the largest industry-owned co-operative of its type.
Worldwide preparedness is now essential. OSRL chief executive Robert Limb explains: “As the management of incidents becomes more complex, so does the importance of pooling resources, investment and knowledge. Incident prevention is the priority, safety is paramount. It is my
commitment to our industry that we shall work together to promote sound contingency planning in preparation for any emergency response scenario.“
OSRL is recognised as a world-leader in its emergency and training field with expert support available to regional and internationally-operating oil companies, and governmental, energy and marine sectors.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – DECEMBER 14/JANUARY 15
billion last year to £13b. Employment had also risen by 10% from 82,000 to 90,000 people.
“Solent 250 companies make a significant contribution to the economy of the south and to the UK overall.“ And some Murray added, were “high flyers who deserve recognition“ for their business qualities and performances that have caught the judges’ eye over the past year.
The evening highlighted six of the best such companies, and turned them into award- winning ’Ones to Watch’ …
fleet administration, repair and maintenance, accident management and telematics.
SHB has a diverse fleet of 12,500 specialist, commercial and executive vehicles, including Europe’s largest 4x4 hire fleet, and the UK’s biggest hire fleet of HGV tippers and crane lorries, plus over 1,000 rentable golf-buggies and all-terrain vehicles.
SHB is no stranger to success and awards. In addition to 30% turnover growth in the past three years, SHB won the Solent 250 Owner Managed Business of the Year title in 2011, and in September gained Rental Company and Supplier of the Year at the prestigious 2014 UK Fleet Van Awards.
SHB was also the first UK vehicle hire company to gain all three ISO accreditations: 9001 quality, 14001 environment and 18001 health and safety.
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