Claire’s Column – Awarding Local Talent

Published on: 18 May, 2015
Updated on: 18 May, 2015

Claire Dee

In this regular column – a must-read for all those interested in Guildford business – Claire Dee applauds local award-winning businesses for their recent well-deserved accolades.

Spring, it appears, is awards season.

Over the past few months I have seen, read about, contributed to, or been involved with, a flurry of good news winning stories. From international and national film and television, to regional creativity and business.

And while the Baftas showcase Ant and Dec and Mary Berry, here in Surrey we have just as much to offer.

In March, the inaugural Surrey Digital Awards took place recognising the cream of digital talent from across the county. Prizes in 10 categories were presented to businesses, schools and charities for their online work, with Guildford’s own Andertons Music Company, Oakleaf Enterprise and SaidSo part of the winning line-up.

And in April, the established Toast of Surrey Business Awards announced its winners. Now in its seventh year, the Toast Awards celebrate the very best of Surrey talent from small and large businesses to outstanding individuals. Once again, Guilford organisations featured including Diamond Logistics and Healthcare On Demand.

The highly prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise also took place in April, with the Queen hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace for the winning companies. And yes, you’ve guessed it, Guildford’s reputation for producing homegrown award-winning talent shone through again, with local digital agency Smart Cookie scooping the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Outstanding Achievement in International Trade. Having grown from a small, relatively unknown company based in tiny offices just outside Guildford in Cranleigh, it has become a globally recognised agency with an international representation. No mean feat.

Of course, this is only a sample of what Guildford and Surrey has to offer, but as the news announcements and press releases came in thick and fast I felt it only right to share. Credit where credit is due, and as a local business owner working alongside such fabulous companies I have just one word: proud.

Claire Dee runs her own communications consultancy near Guildford, and is an active member of the local business community including sitting on the Surrey Chambers of Commerce Council and the Institute of Directors Surrey Committee. To learn more visit www.clairedeecommunications.com