The winners of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards have been presented for 2023.
Sponsored by WightFibre, the award ceremony took place on Friday (May 12) at Cowes Yacht Haven.
The glamorous and highly prestigious event was hosted by comedian and TV presenter Shappi Khorsandi.
“The Isle of Wight is everyone’s best kept secret,” Shappi said. “I love being here. It’s my favourite place and it’s so good to be able to celebrate with everyone here tonight.
"Thank you for having me, you’ve all been fabulous!”
Datum Electronics won the highly coveted Business of The Year Award as well as Manufacturing and Export Business of the Year Award.
In an emotional speech, Datum’s managing director James Lees paid tribute to his East Cowes team, for their support in enabling record growth and turnover in 2022.
WightFibre’s John Irvine was presented with the President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution reflecting the success of the Gigabit Island project; WightFibre also won Customer Service Award and Employer of The Year Award.
It was a strong night for the Island’s manufacturing sector, with key awards won by Yokogawa Marex, Vikoma International and Parlex Johnson Electric.
The tourism and hospitality sector was well represented too, with wins for Visit Isle of Wight, The Island Holiday Company, The Seaview Hotel and Restaurant and JR Zone.
Steven Holbrook, the Chamber’s CEO said:
“It’s been another amazing night for the Island’s business community.
"We have some amazing nominees and winners tonight and its a huge thrill to see so many great businesses celebrating in each other’s success.
"There are so many great stories here but as ever the big winner is the Isle of Wight, where Island businesses are thriving.”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Start Up Business of the Year Award
The Island Holiday Company
Entrepreneurship Award
JR Zone – Sandra Knowles
Made on the Isle of Wight Award
Visit Isle of Wight
Community Award
Tidal Family Support
Customer Service Award
WightFibre
Training and Development Award
Yokogawa Marex
Environment and Sustainability Award
Vikoma International Limited
Hospitality and Tourism Business of the Year Award
The Seaview Hotel and Restaurant
Technology and Innovation Award
Parlex Johnson Electric
Employer of the Year Award
WightFibre
Manufacturing and Export Business of the Year Award
Datum Electronics
Growth Business of the Year Award
JR Zone
Business Social Impact Award
Medina Publishing Ltd
Micro Business of the Year Award
Wed & Prosper
Small Business of the Year Award
Captiva Homes
Member of the Year
WRS Systems
President’s Cup – Outstanding Contribution
John Irvine – WightFibre
Business of the Year
Datum Electronics