Torbay Business Awards 2024 winners announced

From burgeoning startups to well-established enterprises, the Torbay Business Awards 2024 celebrated the dynamic business landscape of the Bay, and the naturally inspiring individuals that make it all happen. 

Here's a rundown of the winners. 

Inspiring Employer of Year (Sponsored by South Devon College, Presented by Laurence Freewin) and Tourism Business of Year (Sponsored by the English Riviera BID Company) - Beverley Holidays, presented by Carolyn Custerson

It was a double win for Beverley Holidays, who took home both Inspiring Employer of Year (sponsored by South Devon College) and Tourism Business of Year (sponsored by the English Riviera BID Company). 

Family-owned for over 65 years, Beverly Holidays offers unforgettable camping, lodge and caravan holidays from their award-winning holiday parks in Paignton. 

The business began in 1959 when Joseph Stanley Jeavons and his wife Marion moved from Staffordshire to Torbay with their three sons and bought 21 acres of farmland in Goodrington. Now, the business has scores of employees and caters for tens of thousands of holidaymakers who visit the English Riviera. 

Claire from Beverly Holidays said: “This is absolutely incredible. We’re so proud of what we do, making sure our holiday customers have a really good holiday and really wonderful memories. 

“We invest into the park, whether it’s facilities or accommodation, but most importantly we invest in our team. Without a great team, we wouldn’t have such happy customers, and in the tourism industry, that’s what it’s all about. 

“We’ve had a great season so far and the sun is hopefully going to keep shining!”

Best New Business (Sponsored by Wollens Solicitors, presented by Chris Hart) - Freedom Boat Club

The Best New Business Award, sponsored by Wollens, was won by Freedom Boat Club, which opened in the summer of 2023. The company aims to bring a new way of boating to Torbay.

The club buys and maintains a fleet of boats that members can access all year round. Freedom Boat Club aspires to be more than just a club, but an inclusive community of like-minded individuals, families and couples of all ages who share a love of boating and being outdoors.

The Club manager for Freedom Boat Club said: “We’ve got to thank our beautiful coastline and our beautiful waters. Without that, we wouldn’t have a business. We’re all so lucky to live where we are. 

“We’re just so thrilled to be able to get people boating that may not have been able to without Freedom Boat Club. Thank you to all our members and those who put us forward for this award. 

Commissioner's Business Community Champion (Sponsored by the Office of Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, presented by Alison Hernandez) - Great Parks Community

Commissioner's Business Community Champion, sponsored by the Office of Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, was won by Great Parks Community Centre. 

Located in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth estate in Paignton, the Great Parks Community Association is a registered charity set up in 1990 and run by local residents who give their time and energy voluntarily and for the benefit of young and old alike. The community centre is a venue and home providing projects and services as a community, to prevent social isolation, impact anti-social behaviour and influence healthy lifestyles.

Jenny Day said: “Great Parks represents all the unpaid communities that work and give their time, energy, passion and heart to make the community what they want it to be. I love doing this.”

Small Business of the Year (Sponsored by Torbay Business Forum, presented by Steve Reynolds) - PMR Architecture

Newton Abbot-based PMR Architecture took home the Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Torbay Business Forum. Founded by John Collar and Paul Rose in the town centre of Newton Abbot, PMR Architecture is an ambitious, multi-award winning, RIBA Chartered Practice with offices in Devon and Sussex. 

The PMR Architecture team work on a wide range of projects, varying from house extensions, new build one-off houses, proving layouts for large housing sites, multi-million-pound commercial schemes and everything in between. 

Paul Rose said: “I’d like to thank the whole team, all of our architects and technicians based in Newton Abbot as well as Brighton. 

“We’ve done some fantastic work across the Bay. We’ve got some great projects coming up and hopefully, very soon we can reveal some of those.”

Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Inter-Line Building Supplies, presented by Neil Robinson) - Matt Sluman

The Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Inter-Line Building Supplies) was won by Pennon Group’s Engineering Technician Apprentice Matt Sluman. 

From his first day, Matt has demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to both Pennon and his Apprenticeship programme.

Matt Sluman said: “I try to put as much as I possibly can into my work. I always try my best, so to win today shows it’s all worth it. Absolutely brilliant!”

Greener Futures Award (Sponsored by Stagecoach SW, presented by Peter Knight) - QLM Technology

Last year’s Business Awards Overall Winners took home the greener futures award this year, with their new type of quantum-technology-based laser-radar, or lidar, that acts like a ‘security camera’ for methane leaks. Their lidar can sensitively detect methane gas, make a 3D picture of a gas plume to locate the source of a leak and measure its size to tell just how big a leak is.  And all of this happens fully autonomously.

Chris Wardle, Chief Manufacturing Officer at QLM, received the prize. He said: “Stopping methane is one of the most important things we can do to protect the planet and reduce global warming. 

“We’re well placed to tackle methane as we have technology that can do something that no one else in the world can do.”

Rising Star (Sponsored by Princess Theatre, presented by Amy Worsdale) - Charlie James

Fabulous fryer Charlie James won the Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Princess Theatre. Charlie has already demonstrated exceptional talent and potential through his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a top 6 finalist in the prestigious National Fish and Chips Awards in the Young Fish Fryer of the Year category earlier this year. 

He has now spent five years working with Lorariane Arnold as a crucial part of the team at Pier Point. 

Charlie said: “I started with Lorraine at Paignton Pier Chippy and have been here ever since. I’ve kept working to my own goals and will continue to do that. In another five years’ time, I hope to be owning my own fish and chip shop.”

James Wright Award for Inspirational Leadership (Sponsored by Mark Wright, Majestic Holidays, presented by Mark Wright) - Maureen McAllister

The James Wright Award for Inspirational Leadership, or ‘Jimmy Award’, was named in tribute to the father of category sponsor Mark Wright from Majestic Holidays. This year it was won by Maureen McAllister, who is the driving force behind Jazz Hands CIC and is trail-blazing a new and has been trail-blazing a new and successful theatre.

Not only has Maureen and the Jazz Hands team successfully managed the hand-over of Paington’s Palace Theatre from the local authority and seen the building through the pandemic, but they have also renovated the space to expand its potential to host community events and serve as a venue.

Maureen McAllister said: “I make sure that the theatre and my team is the centre of my world. I’ve won this for my theatre and my fabulous team - go Palace Theatre. 

“We haven't got a single dark day until December. We work very hard at the Palace Theatre but that’s because it’s our world and we love it. Please come along and see for yourself!”

Overall Business of the Year (Sponsored by Torbay Council, presented by Dave Thomas) and Innovation Award (Sponsored by Sally Allen Business Consultant, presented by Sally Allen) - Spirent Communications

It was a big evening for the Spirent Communications team, who took home both the Overall Business of the Year and the Innovation Award. 

With more than 100 employees based in Paignton, many of whom are specialist engineers, Spirent has spent 35 years pioneering solutions for some of the world’s biggest problems. 

One of the core activities at the Paignton factory involves the development of GPS simulation technology. By simulating a wide range of real-world conditions, Spirent's solutions help companies rigorously test the performance and reliability of their navigation systems.

With this innovation, Spirent serves hundreds of high-profile customers across the world – including companies in the automotive, aerospace, defence, and consumer electronics sectors. 

A member of the Spirent team said: “Everybody in this room has got a smartphone, some of us will have used navigation systems to get here tonight. All of these devices will have been tested with Spirent Communications equipment. 

“We have a fantastic technical community in Torbay, we’ve got amazing talent in Torbay. Spirent is just an example of that, we are the world leader in what we do, nobody can do what we can do and we export over 90% of what we do globally. And that’s a real credit to this location. South Devon College in all they do in bringing new talent in, that cascades and brings talent right across the country and internationally to Torbay. We want to do much more of that to grow our business and other businesses in the area. 

“Thanks so much for the award, it means so much to us.”

Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Jim Parker

Royal British Legion Standard Bearer and Torbay legend Lionel Digby was surprised when he won the Lifetime Achievement Award, saying: “I never thought I’d get this, I thought I was just getting a free meal. 

At 89 years young, Lionel is famous for being a part of the Household Cavalry Regiment, spearheading the for those lost in the Second World War and putting Torbay on the map by bringing world-class acts to Torquay Town Hall in the 1960s, such as the Who, the Rolling Stones, Bowie, and Eric Clapton.

Lionel added: “I didn’t get everything right, I turned down the Beatles! 

“It’s funny looking back. I think that once you’ve taken enough, you look for ways to give back. Sometimes life is about keeping going, even when you fail, you keep going. That’s what I’ve always tried to live by.”

Jim Parker said: “As a journalist in Torbay for a few years, you get to come across some lovely characters who do great things, especially for the community. Some come and go, which is fine. Others keep popping up in different guises, doing invaluable work for the community for little reward over many years.  Lionel Digby has done just that and more besides.”

The Prestigious Lifetime Award for Contribution to Business, presented by Jim Parker

The Prestigious Lifetime Award for Contribution to Business was given to Wollens Chief Executive Chris Hart. 

Torbay Weekly Editor Jim Parker paid tribute to Chris: “A leader, entrepreneur, and somebody who thinks outside of the box. Representing his profession in the corridors of power. Guiding and steering his own business through times of huge change with huge success. 

“At the same time, they have recognized the importance of the community and people. A person who has put their people and staff at the heart of all they do. From my own personal experience, a true friend, a person with compassion who was there to help me when I needed it the most. Somebody who has supported the community right across the board.”

“Wow is the word,” said Chris Hart. 

“I was not expecting that. Thank you to Jim and everybody so much, I’m deeply honoured. We’ve grown Wollens from a £1 million business when I started as Managing Partner to the £13 million business that it is now. Having now truly become a regional practice, we shall push on from here, I have big plans afoot. 

“The extra-curricular activity I do is so important to me.  It’s great to be in a position to influence things just a little bit for the better

“I was born and brought up in Torbay and the region means everything to me. We are moving in the right direction and continue to work hard to make the Bay the best it can be.”