Member Article

WOBA 2015 Finalists Revealed

Organisers of the West Oxfordshire Business Awards (WOBA) 2015 have revealed this year’s 33 finalists at the WOBA Celebration of Business event hosted by Abbott Diabetes Care in Witney.

WOBA 2015 Finalists include a host of new and established businesses that are contributing to the West Oxfordshire economy and community including:

· Mickey Cranks, a cycling and triathlon shop founded by a former RAF Parachute Instructor. The business has achieved rapid growth in just two years of trading and has established the largest ladies race team in the county in addition to a strong West Oxfordshire cycling community (Finalist: Witney Business & Innovation Centre New Business Award)

· Ue Coffee Roasters, an artisan coffee company that roasts coffee using a wood fired process. Coffee is sold to businesses, hotels and shops locally and across the UK (Finalist in two categories: Strategic Mentors Small Business Award and Owen Mumford Innovation Award)

· Audley Travel, a previous WOBA finalist that has opened offices in London and Boston and continues to be a fantastic West Oxfordshire employer (Finalist: Ridgeway Large Business Award)

Jon Cox, Executive Director of Adventure Plus and a WOBA 2015 finalist for Brethertons LLP Solicitors Business Person of the Year Award, said: “I’m really excited to be a finalist. It has been a challenging year trying to raise £500,000 to open a youth adventure centre, which we’ve achieved thanks to our strategy and kind generosity. 2015 is set to be an exciting year and winning a WOBA would be more than just the icing on the cake. Bring it on!”

New for 2015 is the Blenheim Palace Retail Award, open to any independent retail business in West Oxfordshire. The Award’s first winner will be one of three businesses: Caroline Jane Couture and Bridal, Tackley Village Shop or The Cotswold Tailor.

Commenting on the 2015 finalists, Jo Sensecall of the WOBA organising team, said: “It is great to see so many new and established businesses as finalists proving that WOBA really does celebrate and connect businesses. The organising team congratulates everyone who has achieved finalist status and would like to thank all the businesses that entered.”

The winner of each category is automatically entered to become the STL Communications West Oxfordshire Business of the Year 2015. The overall winner will become the proud recipient of a unique trophy designed by students from Abingdon & Witney College and made by Synolos, an organisation that helps vulnerable young people in West Oxfordshire.

The trophy was revealed to a crowded room of WOBA entrants at Abbotts Diabetes Care, much to the delight of the attending students who designed the trophy and saw it in its full glory for the first time.

WOBA 2015 finalists will have to wait until Friday 27 March 2015 to learn who has won at the WOBA Awards Gala Dinner taking place at Heythrop Park Resort. The event will also provide a fundraising opportunity for Base 33, this year’s WOBA charity that won the Charity and Community Award 2014.

Award Categories and Finalists:

Hospitality Award sponsored by Burford Garden Company

Crocodiles of the World

Searcys

Old Swan and Minster Mill

Retail Award sponsored by Blenheim Palace

Caroline Jane Couture & Bridal

Tackley Village Shop

The Cotswold Tailor

Charity Award sponsored by First Sight Media

Inclusive Care & Education (ICE)

Special Effect

Lawrence Home Nursing Team

Social Media Award sponsored by mark-making*

Smart Photography

The Shake Shop

Sheepskin

Innovation Award sponsored by Owen Mumford

Sonnox

Ue Coffee Roasters

Independent Futures

Employer of the Year Award sponsored by Wise Investment

Jamesons Accountants

Oxford Products

Sandler Training

New Business Award sponsored by Witney Business & Innovation Centre

Care Compassion & Conversation

Mickey Cranks

Smooga

Micro Business Award sponsored by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Woozelbears

Tackley Village Shop

The Shake Shop

Small Business Award sponsored by Strategic Mentors

Ue Coffee Roasters

Aston & James

Sylva Group

Large Business Award sponsored by Ridgeway

Polythene UK

Audley Travel

Oxford Products

Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Brethertons LLP Solicitors

Andrew Hammond – Oxford Products

John Cox – Adventure Plus

Charlotte Pimm - Woozlebears

West Oxfordshire Business of the Year Award sponsored by STL Communications Ltd

All category winners are automatically entered

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kelly Lea .