Gravesham Business Awards 2022 winners

Gravesham’s top businesses were applauded for their achievements recently at a glittering gala night at the Inn on the Lake. 

The thirteen finalists selected by three judges for the Gravesham Business Awards, which was the first to be held since before lockdown, were all there because of exceptional entrepreneurship throughout a difficult period. The judges admitted visiting the finalists then choosing the winners had been a very difficult job.

The winner Locks4Vans based at West Mill, Gravesend is a local employer, but nationally known although the reach is global. 

This firm had managed to expand when a large investment was made to launch a new innovation centre. This underpinned the objective to expand the product portfolio. Its testing laboratory and 3D printing capability gives it a unique position in the industry enabling it to create new products and get them to market in a third of the time, exceeding customer expectations.

There were two runners up.

Founded in 2009 as an independent digital transformation consultancy, Embridge Consulting driven by Emma O’Brien, was born from a need to help businesses use modern technology to transform the way they work. 

The other firm Caremark Dartford & Gravesham headed up by Raspinder Singh is an award-winning homecare agency based in Gravesend.  Established in March 2018, the company’s 72 employees deliver home care across the Gravesend and Dartford areas.

This year the judges felt it important to recognise very exceptional companies that have shown an extraordinary and imaginative response to the sudden and dramatic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

So a Covid Buster Award was presented to two firms who grabbed the opportunity of lockdown and came through with amazing results.

First was Vegan Antics, a vegan bakery and café situated in Gravesend High Street. Founded in 2017, the staff went over and above to make the customer experience a fun and welcoming place.

The second firm was The Panic Room Escape Ltd, an independent entertainment business offering escape activities. Working flat out in the pandemic the MD and his wife set up a successful worldwide online games offer in record time

The Community Award went to the very popular Nell’s Café situated alongside the A2 and run by the lively Sandra Hassan.  For the past six years she has been serving homemade food at her Watling Street base and during the pandemic generously provided sandwiches, drinks and fruit to over 300 children.

This year saw an Apprentice of the Year Award which went to Rachel Golder. This carer started working with the Bluebird Care Group in November 2015, as a  business administrative apprentice. She was then promoted to recruitment manager. Now after working with Bluebird Care for seven years, she was given the opportunity by a director to work within a new company called Nexus Personnel.

The other finalists who received certificates were: Austen Allen Homecare Ltd,  Bespoke Dental Care, Bluebird Care Gravesham & Dartford,  North Kent Distribution Ltd, Revitalize Health & Fitness Clinic, Warden Whisky and Beer Limited and William Charles Sales & Lettings

A raffle for the local charity Walk Tall, aimed at helping people with mental issues raised the magnificent sum of £715.

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by magician Paul Fowler and DJ Barry created a chance for guests to let their hair down.