The Leamington Business Awards is returning for its sixth year, under new leadership, as previous organisers, Harrison Beale & Owen, prepare to hand the baton over to Jonathan Smith.
The local awards scheme champions and celebrates the work of local businesses, individuals and charities. Set up in 2014, the awards have been organised on behalf of the town for the last three years by Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O) Chartered Accountants and Financial Advisers. Last year saw the awards expand to enable businesses across South Warwickshire enter a new category, while two local charities collected £5,000 each after a record-breaking year of fund raising through the event.
In 2019, organisation of the awards will be taken over by local businessman and former judge, Jonathan Smith. As founder of the Leamington Business Forum, Jonathan possesses a deep rooted focus on supporting the local business community and will be working closely with a team of Leamington based businesses to take the awards forward. Smith said “I have long championed the Leamington Business Awards and taking over the organisation of the event this year only confirms this. Being a judge for the previous five years has allowed me to get a real sense of all the fantastic work being done in the town and I am looking forward to injecting some new ideas into the event, ensuring as many businesses as possible have the opportunity to get recognised for their work. I am extremely excited to start work on what I hope to be the biggest year yet for the Leamington Business Awards.”
Mark Ashfield (Left) from HB&O with new organiser of the awards, Jonathan Smith
Returning to its previous home, this year’s awards ceremony will take place at the newly renovated Royal Pump Rooms which has been recently been acquired by Just Inspire Events, led by Steven Holland. Holland and his team will be working closely with Jonathan, providing event management and catering services.
HB&O will continue to support the awards, with Managing Director, Mark Ashfield, taking up a new role on the independent panel of judges. Mark Ashfield said: “We are extremely proud of our involvement with the Leamington Business Awards, from winning the professional services category four years ago, to organising the event on behalf of the town in recent years. As a local business ourselves, we have experienced how the event can act as a catalyst in building strong professional relationships throughout the town as well as offering a platform for smaller businesses to thrive. We are excited to see how the event grows under Jonathan’s management and wish him and the event every success.”
Entries for the awards will open in spring. For further information, visit: www.leamingtonbusinessawards.co.uk.
