THE stars of the county’s business community were honoured at the 20th annual Dorset Business Awards last night.

Ten winners and 20 finalists were honoured during a gala dinner at the BIC, hosted by Holby City and Harry Potter actor Guy Henry.

The awards are run by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Daily Echo, the Dorset Echo and Wave 105.

A record 680 business people were welcomed at the 1920s-themed event.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “This year’s awards received a record number of entries from across the region. We’ve had the honour of paying tribute to a variety of outstanding businesses, from a 500-year-old family butcher shop in Bridport, to a global air traffic management and airports consultancy in Poole.”

He added: “The high quality of the business activity coming out of our region is remarkable, and on behalf of all the Award sponsors, I’d like to extend our congratulations to all of this year’s winners and shortlisted finalists.”

For more details and pictures of the winners and shortlisted entries, see our business section The Briefing on Tuesday, December 2.

The winners were as follows:

Business Engagement with the Community Award, sponsored by J.P. Morgan.

  • Winner: Freshleaf Media Limited, Wimborne.
  • Shortlisted: Coleman Insurance Brokers, Poole; Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, Poole.

Business Growth Award, sponsored by Advanced Exchequer

  • Winner: The Training Room, Poole
  • Shortlisted: IADigital Ltd, Bournemouth; Koh Thai Tapas, Poole.

Dorset Export Award, sponsored by ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK

  • Winner: Think Research Ltd, Poole.
  • Shortlisted: Kite Clothing Limited (Kite), Poole; Micro Nav Limited, Bournemouth.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Bournemouth University

  • Winner: Trelawney Dampney, Eco Sustainable Solutions Ltd, Christchurch.
  • Shortlisted: Paul Tansey, Intergage, Poole; The Executive Team, Diamond Sporting Group, Poole.

Excellence in Innovation Award, co-sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR

  • Winner: Permavent Ltd, Weymouth
  • Shortlisted: The TwinsFX, Poole; Wessex Internet, Blandford.

Hays Employee of the Year Award

  • Winner: Jeanette Yorke, Borough of Poole
  • Shortlisted: Richard Halsey, C4L, Poole; Paul Clarke, Menzies East Cliff Court Hotel, Bournemouth.

Lester Aldridge and Santander Company of the Year Award

  • Winner: Dextra Group Plc, Gillingham
  • Shortlisted: Colten Care, Ringwood; The Koh Group, Poole.

Nuffield Health Excellence in Customer Service Award

  • Winner: KingsWood Day Nursery, Alderholt
  • Shortlisted: Health-on-Line, Bournemouth; Poole Housing Partnership.

Princecroft Willis Family Business Award

  • Winner: RJ Balson & Son, Bridport
  • Shortlisted: Allum & Sidaway, Dorchester; Crest Pumps Limited, New Milton.

Retail Experience Award, sponsored by the Dolphin Shopping Centre

  • Winner: Allum & Sidaway, Dorchester
  • Shortlisted: Animal, Poole; River Island, Poole.