European Electronique seals historic triple win

It was an historic night at the Oxfordshire Business Awards after a hi-tech company scooped an unprecedented three awards. Information technology firm European Electronique scooped the overall Business of the Year trophy and the RBS Large Business Award while managing director Yolanta Gill walked away with the Bottle PR Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Ms Gill said: “This will have a fantastic impact on our business and is a wonderful marketing opportunity. It is just unbelievable to be the first winner of three awards in the 15 years of the competition. “It is a credit to the staff who are dynamic and work hard. We do everything together and they always give 110 per cent.” European Electronique, which has an annual turnover of £35m and employs 140 staff, provides IT services for a range of organisations including Oxfordshire County Council. It was set up in 1987 by Ms Gill’s husband, Mike, and she joined the company 13 years ago. The winner of the Shaw Gibbs Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award was James Woollard, founder of Witney-based firm Polythene UK, which supplies polythene to a range of industries. He said: “It is one of the proudest things that has ever happened to me — it is like winning the Oscars!” The Oxford Times Charity and Community Award was won by the Midcounties Co-operative which has its head office in Botley Road, Oxford. Senior Community Co-ordinator Maxine Sharman said: “I am delighted we have been recognised for the work we have done in Oxfordshire. “We have done 22,500 volunteer hours this year and for colleagues, community partners and our members to be recognised is fabulous.” Tom Claridge, joint managing director of the Business Link New Business award winner Key Hips, of Botley, said: “We were over the moon about the award. We set up in the business of providing Home Information Packs in September 2007 and launched nationally in 2008. “Now we have 21 employees and have recently been taking on people at the rate of about one every three weeks — in addition to employing hundreds of sub-contractors.” He added: “I think the slowdown in the housing market actually helped us because it gave us time to set up the required infrastructure for the volume of work we are now doing.” The Ice Energy Environmental Award for Property and Construction went to Blenheim Palace Estates for its conversion of the saw mill at Combe into a development of six offices and four workshops — in buildings adjoining the one that houses one of the nation’s oldest steam engines. Property director Roger File said: “We were all delighted to get the award — it’s hugely encouraging for everyone who works here. “However, its just a pity that our construction manager, Tony White, sadly died recently. He would have loved to have picked up the award.” P2i Labs which manufactures a liquid repellent coating for clothing and other materials, won the MEPC Milton Park Innovation Award. Carl Francis, chief executive of the Milton Park-based company which employs 32 staff, said: “Innovation is what we do day in and day out and it is great to see that recognised.” The Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Sustainability category was won by Adderbury-based home interiors specialist Fired Earth. Head of company Rob Whitaker said: “We’re delighted to have received this award because it recognises all the hard work put in by the environmental team at Fired Earth. It also illustrates perfectly the company’s commitment to sustainabilty and the planet. "An award like this makes our hard work all the more visible and allows us to communicate this to our customers and potential customers through our marketing activity." Records were also broken with more than 500 people attending the gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford. There were also more than 150 entries — 40 per cent up on last year with judges commenting on the higher quality of firms and individuals taking part. And the raffle collection which will be donated to charity also raised more than last year with diners contributing £4,100 on the night. Awards chairman Paul Lowe said: “The awards reflect the diversity of the Oxfordshire business community and evening was all about celebrating their achievements.” Roll of Honour: