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Principal Sponsor - Trethowans Solicitors

As a premier law firm in the South of England with an office right in the heart of Southampton, Trethowans is delighted to support this prestigious Awards programme. The South Coast Business of the Year Awards will once again recognise and promote the excellence of Southampton businesses.

Trethowans provides a comprehensive range of legal services for business and individual clients. On the commercial side, we represent international and national household brand names, owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and major regional employers across the UK. When acting for individuals, we represent landowners, entrepreneurs, local families, property developers and Trustees, amongst others.

Clients value the Firm’s ability to deliver top-quality, expert advice, on time, in a very personable manner and at a competitive price. By being innovative we are able to adapt what we do, which helps us to achieve great results for our clients.

We look forward to meeting like minded business people from the South Coast through our involvement with the South Coast Business Awards and hearing about the many ways that Southampton businesses are demonstrating excellence.

Category Sponsors

Taylor Made Computer Solutions

Taylor Made Computer Solutions is one of the Solent region’s largest and growing IT service providers, based in Fareham. Since 1994 the company has been delivering professional IT solutions for businesses, education, local authorities and charities based in and around central southern England.

From pay as you go support and procurement right through to significant business changes such as opening new offices, outsourcing or full hosted solutions, Taylor Made have the skills, commitment and resources to help, support and enhance your business. Taylor Made has a long reputation for working with businesses across the South Coast to identify, implement and support the best technology to help drive efficiencies into business.

We look forward to seeing some innovative businesses enter the awards again this year and in particular seeing how others are using Technology to improve their business performance.

We wish everyone entering the very best of luck.

Business Solent

Business Solent is an independent business-led organisation working with partners to engage and unite the most forward thinking and influential leaders to challenge and address issues and maximize opportunities for the Solent region. Its aim is to further the South Central region as the major hub of excellence for business and economic growth on the south coast. It also aims to strengthen the business voice in the region.

Through the support of its many Champions and Action Groups: Solent Maritime, Solent Logistics, Digital Southampton, Marketing Southampton Alliance, Future Southampton, Sustainable Solent, Advanced Manurfacturing & Engineering, Solent India Business Network (SIBN); it is helping to raise the profile of and promote the region locally, nationally and internationally.

Sally Lynskey, CEO of Business Solent, said: "In my role at Business Solent I come across many examples of innovation, expertise and sheer brilliance generated by local businesses. So it is wonderful these awards will recognise the work they do and we can all applaud their efforts."

RSM Tenon

This award is in recognition of companies with a genuine and innovative focus on customer service and care. It is designed for businesses who can demonstrate excellent customer service and achievement within that field.

Judging criteria will include customer service objectives and strategy, business performance, customer care, staff development plans and how this has driven business growth. The judges will be looking in particular for:
· Demonstrating success in the achievement of service excellence through the delivery of customer service initiatives, objectives and strategy.
· Active improvement in employee’s customer service focus through training and development.
· Demonstrating a clear relationship between customer service activities and improved business performance.
· Showing a clear understanding of customer needs.
· Engaging employee enthusiasm for customer care and how this has driven business growth.
· How a focus on customer service has provided a platform for leadership, vision and values.
· Evidence of strong staff support, development and motivation.
· Evidence of financial growth and customer retention driven by customer service excellence.

British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco is proud to be sponsors of the award for ‘commitment to education and training’ at the 2013 South Coast Business Awards. Our long history with Southampton spans 100 years with 2013 being our centenary year. We are glad to be part of the local business community.

This category recognises, encourages and rewards organisations that are committed to making to the continuous training and education of individuals or groups. This is an area that we are passionate about.

We employ 60,000 people worldwide and 1100 employees are based in Millbrook. The core focus of our operation in Southampton is providing a strategic research and development centre along with a wide range of office based functions, all supporting our global business. In our research and development centre, we have over 50 employees with PhDs and a strong emphasis on continued professional development across the whole organisation.

“A commitment to education and training is key to the future development of any company; the results speak for themselves through improved performance and a highly motivated, effective workforce. Investment in development and training can only be good for the future success of a company” said Chris Mason, Business Manager, Group Research and Development.

Trethowans Solicitors - Innovation Award

Innovation is good for business. The most innovative businesses are often the most successful, especially in a challenging economy.

At Trethowans solicitors, we see continuous innovation as being the route to our success. That is why we are delighted to be the sponsor of the “Excellence through Innovation” Award.

We believe that the reason that we’ve had happy clients for nearly 150 years, is because we are constantly striving to improve and develop the service that we provide. By being innovative we are always able to adapt what we do, which helps us to achieve great results for our clients.

We look forward to meeting like minded business people from the South Coast and hearing about the many ways that you are demonstrating excellence through your innovation.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Hampshire Chamber’s membership comprises of business organisations of all sectors and sizes. The range of business needs that the Chamber meets is wide and diverse. FREE legal advice through to help with exporting. Informative events with the Governor of the Bank of England through to team building events such as the annual 5-aside Football tournament.

Meet the Chamber exhibitions providing low cost opportunities to exhibit from as little as £70 through to the Meet The Buyer Event which last year generated hundreds of thousands worth of business for the Hampshire Business Community.

The Chamber also helps with HR and Training matters and all for the cost of a one off membership. The Chamber not only supports business to do business, but provides a more influential voice to the business community. That’s why Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the first choice for companies and why our members join and stay with us year after year.

Southampton City Council

Southampton City Council is working with its partners to bring about a significant and ambitious transformation of the city. We are driving major new developments across the city, upgrading what we already have and re-establishing our relationship with the sea.

Residents’ needs and wellbeing are at the heart of the developments we are planning and there is a specific focus on job creation and economic development. Some key developments such as SeaCity Museum are now in place and many more like the development of the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, the next phases of Ocean Village and Centenary Quays at Woolston are under construction. Many more development projects such as Royal Pier Waterfront and Watermark West Quay are in the pipeline. The regeneration of our estates is a reality, with a significant build programme in progress, and ambitious future schemes planned. Delivering modern and strong communities, where residents have access to employment opportunities in the city is central to our overarching city vision.

The creation of new jobs from within our local community will make a key contribution towards our city’s prosperity and we wish to encourage and celebrate the role of young people within that.

Smith & Williamson

Smith & Williamson’s South Coast office continues to successfully help a broad range of companies negotiate the difficulties caused by the current economic climate. The office is part of one of the UK’s top ten firm’s of accountants and also includes an investment management house. The practice, in Kings Park Road, provides audit and accounting services, tax, corporate finance and restructuring and recovery services to local businesses. Clients range from individuals, corporates, professional practices to non-profit organisations.

Andrew Edmonds, a partner with the firm and head of the Southampton assurance and business services team explains: "People may ask what sets us apart from our competitors; put simply, it's our people - ambitious, talented and enthusiastic professionals who enjoy what they do and relish the opportunity to work together and with clients." On the Business Awards, Andrew said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Growth Business of the Year award for the third year running. We were very impressed with the quality of the entrants in this category last year and are very much looking forward to meeting those businesses driving growth along the South Coast in 2013.

"With little change to the economic conditions being faced by the business community over the last year, growth has once again been difficult to achieve. I would expect the winner of this award will once again have demonstrated a combination of innovation, ambition and perseverance to deliver sustained, quality growth. I am very excited at the prospect of meeting some of the South’s best businesses during the judging process."