And the Winner is......................

Last night’s awards managed to both dazzle and impress me .The size of the event - the décor, attendees and the presentations – far exceeded my expectations, and really displayed the high calibre of businesses within our area.

One highlight of any black tie event is the dinner. There is almost something deliciously indulgent about sitting down at a table with white tablecloth and gleaming glassware/cutlery. As the servers began to weave their way through the throng of tables, the distinct aroma of each course signalled that moment of unadulterated escape for our taste buds, from the light Pimms dressing on the Poached Scottish Salmon to the Chicken wrapped in Parma Ham and finally the pleasure of the Trio of Cheesecakes (pecan, raspberry, double chocolate). Delicious!

People watchers were in their element. The men in their black-ties all appeared so dignified but there were also one or two that tried to add their own flair of individuality be it with a bright coloured bow-tie or an elaborate cumbabund.

The women were dressed to impress with an equal balance of short cocktail dresses to long gowns. Whilst the majority were black, a glimpse of colour regularly caught your eye to brighten the event.

And so on to the Awards themselves...............

Cheers rang out around the marquee as each category and the relevant short-listed finalists were announced by the Capital Gold DJ, David Jensen. With 12 categories and mine being the eleventh, nerves did begin to settle in but finally the “Entrepreneur of the Year” sponsored by South London Business was being called. All of the short-listed companies:- Alchemy Events, Boogles, DP Consulting (Disability Services) Ltd, Independent MindBodySoul Ltd, JP Creative and Le Cassolet were introduced.

Unfortunately, I did not win but was awarded “Highly Commended”. The winner of the “Entrepreneur of the Year” category was awarded to Independent MindBodySoul Ltd.

Whilst I would have been delighted to win, I am both extremely pleased to have been short-listed and to have been awarded “Highly Commended”. Myself and my team work hard to promote our company ethos of “inclusion for all” and whilst at times it is challenging to make the improvements we envisage, it is most definitely worthwhile and awards such as these reinforces our belief in what we do.

The awards presentation was followed by a prize draw, photographs and strutting our stuff on the dance floor – though not everyone had the natural ability of John Travolta!

May I say congratulations to all those companies throughout the night that were short-listed, awarded Highly Commended and the actual Winners. Well done!

An excellent evening all round.