thames valley business magazine awards Community Legacy Award


JOINT WINNERS: AWE and STL Communications


AWE employs 5,000 people at Aldermaston and prides itself on being ‘a good neighbour and responsible business’ with education initiatives involving 80 schools; STEM activities in colleges, science challenges and more.


Based at Witney, STL Communications helps provide telephone, mobile and broadband connectivity to organisations across the Thames Valley. It has also created a Twin- Town Challenge, a car rally between Witney and Le Touquet raising £500,000 to help the local SpecialEffect charity.


What the judges said . . . “AWE’s ‘AWEsome Education’ programme is


sponsored by


well established, managed very professionally, and the employees clearly have great enthusiasm for the initiative. It has helped inspire many children since the programme began and will continue to do so for many years to come. What’s particularly impressive is the way it constantly seeks to improve the programme and reach new groups of children from all areas of society. A true legacy for the community.”


“STL Communications embodies a strong culture of giving. It is passionate about helping SpecialEffect and, through the charity, children in the local community who may need the specialist support it offers. STL’s enthusiasm is infectious and it has united local and national businesses in a fundraising effort that could endure for the long-term.”


Dynamic Business of the Year


WINNER: R Collard Eversley haulage, waste management and demolition expert, growing significantly year-on-year, including an 84% increase in wastes processed across its six Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire waste and recycling centres.


What the judges said . . .


“A rapidly growing company that has significantly diversified to create new revenue streams, reduce costs and enhance its existing service offering. Its commitment to key goals is extremely impressive, having driven recent technological investment and acquisitions to further enhance and sustain business growth. Long-term employee development


is also at its business ethos core, evidenced by second generation family employees.”


. . . and the winner


MD Robert Collard: “This is absolutely amazing. I started this journey 23 years ago as one man and a van and it’s a huge thing to be up here now on stage and have around me my family and the team of people who have helped me to fulfil my dreams and ambitions.”


The strength of his successful business, he says, has been undertaking traditional demolition and removal of waste, then turning it into 21st century recycling and commoditisation through use of new technologies.


“Demolition and recycling is now very Business of the Year


WINNER: Westcoast Theale-based IT distributor, the Thames Valley’s largest privately-owned company, and one of the fastest-growing in the UK with turnover now £2.15 billion.


What the judges said . . .


“Along with an impressive balance sheet, it gives back through various charity events such as its annual Palace-to-Palace cycle ride which last year raised £50,000 for the Princes Trust. It supports West Berkshire secondary schools by running financial workshops and with the Education Business Partnership developed a Year 8 programme for local Theale Green secondary school students to understand the wide variety of jobs and careers within Westcoast. Its


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – DECEMBER 2017


CSR strategy is clearly integrated into its business vision.”


. . . and the winner


“This award is a reflection of our passion for this business. Our team works really well together, and tomorrow there will be emails and pictures going out telling everyone we have won this award, and it will just lift everybody in the business,” said Phil Jones, operations development director.


While highlighting teamwork, quick decisions and agility as contributing attributes to Westcoast’s well-known success in business circles, Jones noted ironically that most UK consumers of IT products would be unaware of Westcoast’s involvement in their purchases.


Runner-up: CV-Library Third: Roc Technologies, and Sun Mark


Highly Commended: Benchmark, Centerprise, Complete IT, The NAV


businessmag.co.uk 11


much a circular economy, an evolving world,” says Collard.


Runner-up: Ridge & Partners Third: Hawkins Group of Companies


Highly Commended: CLEAN, Sun Mark, Thomas International, Wilson Partners


sponsored by


Third: Charles Russell Speechlys


Highly Commended: Jansons Property, Summerleaze


sponsored by


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40