In the Press

2023 Winners Q&A Pig & Pip
2023 Winners Q & A – Safran Seats
2023 Winners Q & A – Wood U Believe It
Winners of the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards 2023
Shortlist Announced for Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards
Final Call for Torfaen & Monmouthshire Business Awards Nominations
Sponsor Q&A – Cardiff Capital Region
Sponsor Q&A – Johnsey Estates
Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards Launched today!

2023 Award Categories

Creative & Digital Business of the Year
  • This award recognises those businesses in Torfaen & Monmouthshire that are operating in highly important creative and digital sectors.
  • The judges are looking for creative and digital companies that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Employer of the Year
  • This award will recognise those businesses in Torfaen & Monmouthshire that continuously invest in their employees for sustainable growth and development.
  • The judges are looking for evidence of staff development, retention and recruitment; career development and training for employees; commitment to diversity; and the embedding of a learning culture.
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • This award will recognise those individuals who have shown the desire to succeed with their own ideas and have had the ambition to turn those ideas into a successful business.
  • The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership and personality in the development of their own business.
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
  • This award is open to any business operating in the financial and professional services sector.
  • The judges are looking for companies that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Green Business of the Year
  • This award recognises those businesses for whom sustainability is at the core of their activities or whose products, processes or practices have resulted in significant environmental improvement.
  • The judges are looking for businesses that have developed an environmental product, process or service or have built sustainability into the strategic operations of the business, either of which has resulted directly in increased profitability.
Innovation & Technology Business of the Year
  • This award recognises the success of companies that have created and developed innovative products or processes that have improved the performance of the organisation or led to significant job creation.
  • The judges will be looking for a technology-based firm with a clear commitment to research and development, innovation and future growth potential. Applicants need to describe the technology and how it has benefited the company and/or customers.
International Business of the Year
  • This award is open to any business in Torfaen & Monmouthshire that is trading overseas.
  • The judges are looking for evidence of a detailed internationalisation strategy, growth in overseas markets and a commitment to improving export performance.
Manufacturing Business of the Year
  • This award is open to any Torfaen & Monmouthshire based company in the manufacturing and engineering sector.
  • The judges are looking for businesses that are using cutting edge manufacturing techniques to create new high-quality products.
Retail Business of the Year
  • This award is open to any Torfaen & Monmouthshire based retail business either online or physical retail.
  • The judges will be looking for businesses that demonstrate retail excellence. Businesses will have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
SME of the Year
  • This award is open to all organisations with less than 250 staff and a turnover less than £50million.
  • The judges are looking for those SMEs demonstrating significant growth or expansion, innovation in products, services or processes, exceptional customer engagement, effective leadership and management and strong financial results.
Start Up Business of the Year
  • The start-up award aims to celebrate and support Torfaen & Monmouthshire’s newest businesses. Entrants to this award must be independent and have been trading for up-to a maximum period of three years on 1st May 2023.
  • The judges will be looking for real passion, a strong plan, an innovative product or service and exceptional forecasts for further growth.
Third Sector Business of the Year
  • We’re calling for all charities, not-for-profit organisations, campaigners and volunteer groups - here is your chance to showcase your work and achievements.
  • The judges want to hear from large and small charities, hospices, third sector organisations and non-profits that are helping those in need, bringing about real social change or raising awareness and campaigning on key issues.
Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • This award is open to any business based in the tourism and hospitality sector in Torfaen & Monmouthshire.
  • The judges will be looking for businesses that demonstrate exceptional commitment to provide an outstanding experience for visitors, tourists and business travellers.
Young Business Person of the Year
  • This award is made to individuals under the age of 30 on 1st May 2023 who are involved in business. These include young entrepreneurs that are building their own venture or those employees who have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.
  • The judges are looking for individuals who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. Applicants should have raised the profile of their organisation, developed and implemented plans that have achieved growth, and who have exceeded customer expectations.

Shortlist

Creative & Digital Business of the Year
  • Event Prop Shop
  • Platform One
  • OLLYWOOD
  • So. Social Media
  • Say It Well
Employer of the Year
  • Safran Seats
  • Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • The Lion Hotel
  • Y Prentis
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Nathaen Lucas - LT Tools
  • Oliver Williams - OLLYWOOD
  • Kelli Aspland and Laura Waters- Solar Buddies
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
  • Funding School
  • Pure Mortgage and Protection
  • Quote Detective
  • Say It Well
Green Business of the Year
  • Equal=ibrium
  • Freight Logistic Solutions
  • Zero Waste Torfaen
Innovation & Technology Business of the Year
  • LT Tools
  • Service Technology Group
  • Homeglow Products
International Business of the Year
  • Frog Bikes
  • Safran Seats
  • So. Social Media
Manufacturing Business of the Year
  • Babi Bw
  • Demada Custom Wine Cellars
  • Wood U Believe It
  • Frog Bikes
Retail Business of the Year
  • Duke's Gaming
  • Jacobs Boutique XO
  • Pig and Pip
  • Solar Buddies
  • Tell Me Wine
SME of the Year
  • Go Local Magazine & Print
  • Freight Logistic Solutions
  • OTL Group
  • Quote Detective
Start Up Business of the Year
  • CaldiKidz
  • Remote First Aid & Pre-Hospital Training
  • Steffi Andrews Photography
  • Tyler Aromatherapy
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
  • Bridges Car Scheme
  • Caldicot Town Team CIC
  • National Star Foundation
Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • Baffle Haus
  • Monmouthshire Cottages
  • The Blaenafon Cheddar Company
  • The Lion Hotel
  • White Castle Vineyard
Young Business Person of the Year
  • Leah Kelly - Malfie & Cro
  • Will Duggan Painting & Decorating

Winners

Creative & Digital Business of the Year
  • So. Social Media
Employer of the Year
  • Safran Seats
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Kelli Aspland & Laura Waters - Solar Buddies
Financial & Professional Service Business of the Year
  • Quote Detective
Green Business of the Year
  • Zero Waste Torfaen
Innovation & Technology Business of the Year
  • Homeglow Products Ltd
SME of the Year
  • Freight Logistics Solutions
Manufacturing Business of the Year
  • Wood U Believe It Ltd
Retail Business of the Year
  • Pig and Pip
International Business of the Year
  • Frog Bikes
Start-Up Business of the Year
  • Tyler Aromatherapy
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
  • National Star
Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • The Blaenafon Cheddar Company
Young Business Person of the Year
  • Leah Kelly - Malfie & Cro
Highly Commended
  • Event Prop Shop - Creative & Digital Business of the Year
  • Y Prentis - Employer of the Year
  • Jacobs Boutique XO - Retail Business of the Year
  • Remote First Aid & Pre-Hospital Training - Start-Up Business of the Year
  • Baffle Haus - Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • White Castle Vineyard - Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year
  • LT Tools - Innovation & Technology Business of the Year

2023 Sponsors