Business of the Year Winner: Westcoast


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Neil Baker (2nd right), Westcoast, collected the award from John Hutchinson (right), Pitmans


A memorable end to a magnificent night arrived – particularly for Westcoast, which claimed the much-valued ‘Business of the Year’ title.


This category award, rightly viewed as the pinnacle of regional business recognition, has been supported by legal advisers Pitmans for 21 years, since the inception of the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards. Announcing and presenting the awards was Pitmans managing partner John Hutchinson.


Perhaps fittingly, on this TVBMA ‘coming of age’ occasion, it was representatives of two Thames Valley stalwarts – Pitmans and Westcoast – who shook hands on stage to celebrate and highlight business growth, excellence and success within the region.


Open to every company, large or small, in the region, this category recognised profitability, innovation, sustainability and employment. The highly competitive field of nominees gave testament to the strength of business in this region, said the judging panel.


Six star performers had been shortlisted:


Content Guru: which provides cloud-based communications services for organisations worldwide. Based in Bracknell, and founded in 2005, it now has offices in the Netherlands and USA.


Woodley-based Magal Engineering, an automotive mechanical engineering specialist, that has seen a 24% increase in turnover. A medium-sized company that competes with major quoted companies, and has led its field for decades.


The independent Peter Brett Associates www.businessmag.co.uk


practice of engineers, planners, scientists and property professionals, that employs more than 600 across 20 offices. Established in Reading in 1965, PBA has spent 50 years helping to shape Thames Valley infrastructure and neighbourhoods, plus UK and central Europe.


Ridgeway: With cars ranging from Maserati to Mercedes and from Jaguar to MINI, Ridgeway is listed 12th on the latest Sunday Times Top Track 250. Its vision is to be recognised as the best UK automotive retail group.


Thomas International: The global leader in people assessment solutions is now focused on a big international expansion. It established its headquarters in Marlow in 1981.


Westcoast: The leading distributor of IT products to the computer reseller, retailer and dealer network across the UK and Ireland. Westcoast has grown to a £1.4 billion turnover business. Headquartered at Theale, it enjoys growth levels of 10% per annum while outperforming its market.


As director Neil Baker of Westcoast came up to receive the Business of the Year title, the judges’ accolade was read out: “The winner is a business that, far from resting on its laurels, continues to fight for every opportunity it identifies throughout the UK and further afield. With extremely strong workforce engagement and a wide and diverse involvement in its community, this winner is the complete package.”


The other finalists were duly honoured as they collected their awards from the stage. Peter Brett Associates was awarded second place, Thomas International took third place, and, Content Guru, Magal Engineering and Ridgeway, received Highly Commended certificates.


Afterwards, Neil Baker was asked how Westcoast achieved continuing double-digit growth. “It’s really down to the dedication of the staff. We have a fantastic team, everybody is passionate and enthusiastic about the business, and we are constantly challenging ourselves in a dynamic fast-moving marketplace, where we are keen to give solutions and gain new opportunities.”


“So, what’s next,” asked Dereza. “Well we remain very strong in the UK, and are getting more work in Europe, in countries such as Holland, Belgium, and Italy, so next year steadily into the rest of Europe.”


Baker added: “This award is a fantastic endorsement for the efforts of all the staff at Westcoast and we are very, very proud to win it.”


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 15/JANUARY 16


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