Last week saw the culmination of the annual South Coast Business Awards, in association with The Daily Echo newspaper and with various categories sponsored by business organisations across the south.

Although Glow didn’t apply for any of the awards categories, we did send along our newest recruit, Martin Sansom to represent us and hopefully do a little bit of networking as well.

The black-tie event, which was held at the luxurious Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton, started with a drinks reception followed by a formal 3 course dinner and then on to a speech by the famous business entrepreneur Jacqueline Gold (Chief executive of lingerie and sex toys company, Ann Summers).

Ms Gold arrived in a chauffeur driven Bentley motor car with personalised number plate and subsequently went on to deliver a crowd pleasing speech, which included tales from her early days in the business when she came up with the idea for Ann Summers groundbreaking “Party Plan” sales concept. The business audience laughed as she recalled the moment when a senior board member walked out of her presentation saying, “It’ll never work… women aren’t even interested in sex anyway!”.

Jacqueline also went on to reveal that after debts and near forced administration in the eighties, she turned the business around to its current profitable state, which delivers over £180 million annual turnover and has multichannel outlets including, Party Plan agents, High Street stores, an online website and most recently dedicated Ebay outlet stores delivering to countries around the globe.

Ms Gold also stated her belief that any business with a serious passion to succeed in today’s market, must embrace the digital sector and most importantly the social media world. Only by communicating with your customers instead of just throwing out information to them, will you truly understand what sells and what doesn’t.

Following the successful keynote speech, the talk about vibrators and jiggle balls was replaced with tales of local successes and the superb opportunities for growth that are being grasped by businesses in the south.

Although there were no big international names like Dentsu Aegis Media or exhibitors from the Clerkenwell Design Week, there was a wealth of talent that was recognised.

Here is a list of the categories and the winners:

Taylor Made Computer Solutions Award for Best Use of Technology
• Andrew Smith & Son
• M12 Solutions Ltd
• The Natural Travel Collection – winner
• Etch UK Ltd

Business South Commitment to the Region Award
• Balfour Beatty Living Places
• Meachers Global Logistics
• Capita
• Ideal Collection – winner

Baker Tilly Customer Service Award
• Wellow Fitness Centre
• The Yes Yes Company – winner
• Lainston House Hotel
• Creatiques

British American Tobacco Award for Commitment to Education and Training
• GHS M&E
• Benham Manufacturing – winner
• Vertical Leap
• New Media Software Ltd

Southampton City Council Award for Southampton Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Timothy Baker of Ride Ride
• Matt Bunday of Matt Bunday Events
• Max K-Thompson of Plug and Play
• Josh Williams of BIZpedia UK – winner

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year
• The Highfield Company
• The Natural Travel Collection – winner
• Creatiques
• M12 Solutions Ltd

Smith and Williamson Best International Performance by a South Coast Company
• Daniamant
• Accuracy International – winner
• MAATS Tech
• Red Box International

Hampshire County Council Growth Business of the Year Award
• The Car Finance Company
• Lakesmere – winner
• Peach Telecom
• Feefo

Lakesmere also went on to win the overall best business award, which was presented by the event sponsors Trethowans Solicitors.