2 weeks Ago By Joe Williams
Business The News Business Excellence Awards 2025: Winners revealed including BH Live, The D Day Story, Liquid Friday and Mountjoy Ltd By Joe Williams Digital Reporter Comment Published 27th Mar 2025, 23:38 GMT Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now It was a night of celebration as Portsmouth businesses from across various industries and sectors came together to toast the years’ achievements. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
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Local entrepreneurs and businesses gathered at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Thursday, March 27 for the 25th edition of the annual The News Business Excellence Awards . The black-tie gala event provided a platform to showcase the incredible businesses that are thriving in our community and beyond. While tumultuous business and economic conditions have become the norm over the past few years, all the businesses nominated for awards have seen their drive, determination, and passion enable them to succeed.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With 17 awards handed out overall, from Apprentice of the Year to Large Business of the Year, it was an inspiring evening with a room packed full of talent. SLR Recruitment Solutions took home overall business of the year while Mountjoy Ltd collected the large business of the year award. 2024 was a huge year for The D Day Story with the 80th anniversary events putting a spotlight on it with the nation watching.
Its endeavours in reaching out to wider local audiences through pop-up shops and working with young people saw the judges award it the visitor attraction/event of the year. The winners of The News Business Excellence Awards 2025 celebrate on stage on Thursday, March 27.Picture: Keith Woodland (270321-364) | Keith Woodland/K Woodland Photog Read More Delight as Love Portsmouth pop-up shop extends lease in Gunwharf for an extra three months Back in the regional finals: Southsea Spirit aims for another Muddy Stilettos win "I can't believe it!" Zodiac Flowers in Gosport celebrates 50th anniversary Colourful new sensory room opens at popular play centre Exploria in Southsea There was a special end to the evening with the outstanding contribution to business award going to an unsuspecting LuLu Whitmore, director of Love Southsea.
Described as “an entrepreneur extraordinaire”, “a force of nature” and a “masterful social media queen”, Lulu was taken aback having not known she had been put forward for the award. With the 25th edition of The News Business Excellence Awards at an end, editor in chief, Mark Waldron reflected on the night. He said: “It was a fantastic evening and great to share in the joy of the winners who all thoroughly deserved their honours, particularly as the competition was so tough this year.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad “The winners who took the stage were the best of the best but everyone who was nominated was a winner tonight. I want to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, the judges, and to everyone involved in making these awards happen.” This year’s event supporters were the Guildhall Trust , PETA , The University of Portsmouth , and Flamingo Boss , with Fair Ways as our charity partner.
The Drinks Reception at the Gala Dinner is sponsored by the South East England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network . The full list of the winners can be found below: Start-up Business of the Year: Portasauna Small Business of the Year sponsored by Portsmouth City Council: SLR Recruitment Solutions Manufacturing & Engineering Company of the Year: Barnbrook Systems Limited Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Global Business of the Year sponsored by radweb: CTS Europe Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Matilda Tucker from Parker Meggitt Retailer of the Year: Westlands Farm Shop Cultural or Leisure Business of the Year: BH Live Visitor Attraction/Event of the Year sponsored by Wighlink Ferries: The D Day Story Sustainable Business of the Year: Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Ben O’Nion Community Business of the Year: Silver Lining Convergence Employer of the Year: Liquid Friday Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Entrepreneur of the Year: Jodie Goodchild, Jodie Goodchild Limited Medium Business of the Year: WeBuyAnyPhone.com Large Business of the Year: Mountjoy Ltd Overall Business of the Year: SLR Recruitment Solutions Outstanding Contribution to Business: Louise Whitmore Read Portsmouth’s latest news and sport coverage on the go with The News’ free emails - sign up online here Continue Reading Related topics: The News Business Excellence Awards Portsmouth City Council Community Entrepreneurs Comment Comment Guidelines National World encourages reader discussion on our stories.
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