THE winners of the 2024 Somerset Business Awards were announced at a glittering gala dinner and presentation at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on Friday, March 22.

Nearly 400 business people from across Somerset attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Global and Heart FM broadcast journalist, Cormac MacMahon.

Taunton businesses picked up awards in three categories, Large Business of the Year, Best Use of Digital Technology, and Environmental and Sustainability.

This year was the 19th anniversary of the awards, and Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Emma Rawlings, said the quality of entries had again been incredible, and thanked everyone who had supported the awards.

She said: “We have some amazing businesses in Somerset and it was fantastic to be able to honour just some of their achievements.

“We know many have faced some extremely challenging trading conditions again this last 12 months, so it was encouraging to hear about the successes of our finalists and winners and to be able to help them celebrate through the awards.”

Albert Goodman was again the main sponsor of the awards, with winners coming from Bridgwater, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Midsomer Norton, Frome, Yeovil, Highbridge, and Curry Rivel.

The Somerset Business Awards 2024 media sponsors were Newsquest and the Somerset County Gazette Series and Global.

Michael Cahill, a Partner at Albert Goodman, said: “This is our fourteenth year as main sponsor and we have seen some excellent businesses enter the awards and then go on to even greater things.

“The awards are a fantastic celebration of the very best of Somerset business and entering helps to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business.”

Winners and runners up from the Somerset Business Awards 2024

  • Small Business of the Year (turnover up to £0.5 million) sponsored by Gather Technology Ltd: Talking Stick Digital, Bridgwater. Runners-up: ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott and Little Kickers (North and Mid Somerset), Weston-super-Mare
  • Medium Business of the Year (turnover up to £6 million) sponsored by Higos Insurance Services: Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater. Runners-up: Filbert’s Fine Foods Ltd, West Pennard and Netitude Ltd, Frome.
  • Large Business of the Year (turnover over £6 million) sponsored by Stephens Scown: Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater. Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and Synertec, Wellington.
  • Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award: Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare. Runners-up: Mark One Consultants, Yeovil and Summerfield Developments, Taunton.
  • Best Use of Digital Technology Award sponsored by Teapot Creative: Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton. Runners-up: Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury and Mark One Consultants, Yeovil.
  • Charity of the Year Award sponsored by Clarke Willmott: SWALLOW Charity, Midsomer Norton. Runners-up: bibic, Langport and It’s in the Bag Cancer Support, North Somerset.
  • Employer of the Year sponsored by Blossom HR: Netitude Ltd, Frome. Runners-up: Poolbridge Accountancy Limited, Highbridge and Singer Instruments, Roadwater.
  • Investing in Somerset Award sponsored by Hinkley Point C: Battens Solicitors, Yeovil. Runners-up: Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater and The Ascot Group, Weston-super-Mare.
  • Start-up of the Year Award sponsored by Westcotts: Wessex Pop-Up Coldrooms Ltd, Curry Rivel. Runners-up: Milton and Chambers, Wellington and Our Precious Earth, Minehead.
  • Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by Weston College: Poolbridge Accountancy Limited – Chloe Smith, Highbridge. Runners-up: SBA CIC – Natasha Margetts, Langport and Turnbull Infrastructure and Utilities – Ryan Jones, Bridgwater.
  • Environmental and Sustainability Award sponsored by Gravity: Lendology CIC, Taunton. Runners-up: Cookswood Development – Lomax Design and Build, Stoke St Michael and Zebra EM, Taunton.
  • Service Excellence Award sponsored by Porter Dodson: Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater. Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and West Country Drainage Services Ltd, Burrowbridge.
  • Manufacturing and Engineering Award sponsored by Leonardo UK: Electrified Automation, Bridgwater. Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and Teklagraf Ltd, Weston-super-Mare.
  • Business Resilience and Growth Award sponsored by Barclays UK: Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater. Runners-up: ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott and Purplex Marketing, Weston-super-Mare.