Swindon-based newspaper, magazine and book distributor Smiths News has won the prestigious West of England Business of the Year Award – the region’s most coveted business accolade.
The firm beat five rival businesses to claim the title in the category for companies turning over more than £25m a year or with 100-plus employees.
Collecting the award at a glittering ceremony in Bristol last night, Smiths News chief executive Mark Cashmore praised the firm’s staff in its Swindon head office and its depots across the UK.
Nick Morgan, a partner at awards hosts PwC and chair of the judges and for this category, said: “This year’s competition proved fiercer than ever and the quality of all the finalists in this category proved that the West of England is home to some of the best businesses in the UK.
“Smiths impressed the judging panel with their sustained profit growth, diversification of the business and the strength of its management and I was delighted to present them with the winner’s trophy.”
Smiths, formerly the distribution division of retailer WH Smith, has diversified over the past three years by acquiring book wholesaler, library and ebook supplier Bertams, Dawsons Group, which supplies newspapers to the airline industry, and mostly recently The Consortium, the Trowbridge-based distributor of educational and care products.
Other finalists in this category were construction firm Beard, JB Global, the fast-growing oak furniture retailer – both based in Swindon – Cornish brewer St Austell Brewery Company and Swallowfield, the Somerset cosmetic, personal care and household goods manufacturer.
Since their launch 24 years ago, the coveted awards, which this year were staged in association with Bristol Business News, have gained a reputation built firmly on the thoroughness of the judging panel, which is made up of respected business figures from across the region.
Devon-based printed circuit board manufacturer Graphic received the award for companies with a turnover of less than £25m or fewer than 100 employees.
Graphic triumphed in a four-way contest with Valldata Group, the Melksham-based outsourcing partner for the charity sector; Cut4Cloth, the Cornish-based maker of Frugi organic kids’ clothes and piping systems manufacturer Pipex, based in Devon.
PwC partner Tracey Bentham, who chaired the judging panel for this category, said:
“This was a strong year for this category and we received a diverse array of applications from varying industries.
The independent judging panel had a difficult task short-listing the finalists and an even more difficult task of selecting the winner.
“Graphic demonstrated to the judges, outstanding product innovation and an impressive business management strategy.”
PwC regional chairman Rob Lewis added: “The quality of the winners and all of the finalists emphasises the standards that are being achieved by companies in the region. 2012’s finalists ranged from FTSE and AIM-listed businesses to family and privately-owned businesses. Their ability to stay ahead in the current climate and the significant contribution they make to the economic success and its region is rightly celebrated.”
The awards were sponsored by Beacon South West, Bristol Business News and its sister websites Bath Business News and Swindon Business News, the NSPCC and Western Daily Press.
Pictured: Smiths News chief executive Mark Cashmore, centre, receives the Business of the Year Award from PwC regional chairman Rob Lewis, left, and chair of judges Nick Morgan.
