The head of the new Oxfordshire Business of the Year has paid tribute to his dedicated workforce after receiving the top accolade.

Paul Morrow, managing director of Bicester-based bakery ingredients firm British Bakels, was elated as well as surprised after receiving the honour at the Oxfordshire Business Awards held at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford.

He said: "This award is about hard work not just over one year but over more than a decade.

"Everyone has been involved from cleaners to food technologists to people on the shop floor. We have been based in Oxfordshire for more than 12 years and this is the pinnacle."

The company, which has a turnover of £25m and employs 147 staff at its headquarters in Granville Way, also picked up the Innovation award, in recognition of its low glycemic index bread which it developed with Oxford Brookes University and is now its best selling product.

Mr Morrow added: "The awards mean we will be able to continue to recruit people in the local area as they will want to work for a respected company."

The Oxfordshire Business Person of the Year was Tracy Hoodless of Oxford-based Champion Recruitment.

Since setting up the firm in 1981, she has built it up to a major employment agency, with 71 staff and a turnover of £24.5m a figure which has grown by £5m in the last year.

Her own staff turnover is one of the lowest in the industry, with three-quarters of employees staying for more than five years.

She has given more than £300,000 to charity and supports diabetes and cancer research as well as the John Radcliffe Hospital, children's football and rugby teams and the Oxfordshire Association for Young People.

Ms Hoodless said: "I was shocked but absolutely delighted because it recognises the whole team which is committed to working to high standards for our clients and candidates.

"We are marking 25 years in business this year and this is a great way to celebrate."

The Tourism award was won by the Oxford Information Centre based in Broad Street, Oxford.

Operated by Oxford City Council as a stand-alone business, the centre dealt with 450,000 visitors last year wanting information and accommodation.

Co-team leader Anne Gallagher said: "This is a fantastic way of raising our profile and is a reward for our 15 staff who work incredibly hard."

Oxfordshire's Small Business of the Year is dry cleaning firm Purple Label, based at Milton Park, near Didcot. The firm was started in 2002 by Stuart Tofts and Louise Rampe and has had to battle against adversity after Ms Rampe developed leukaemia and had to take 18 months away from the business. Mr Tofts said: "We have come through and now we are looking to push forward."

The Growing Business award went to family owned flour mill FWP Matthews based at Shipton Under Wychwood. The company still operates from the mill first opened in 1912.

The Charity and Community award was picked up by Base 33 Witney Ecumenical Youth Trust which works with young people in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour. Youth worker Mark Bennett said: "This means a lot of people recognise the work we do with young people and I am delighted by that."

The Customer and Staff Care award went to Oxfordshire Registration Services which runs the Oxford Register Office that has 50 staff and provides more 3,000 ceremonies a year.

Assistant head Jacquie Bugeja said: "We deal with people experiencing a very important part of their lives, so it is vital to give the best possible service and we are delighted to be recognised."

The Creative category was won by computer and video game specialist Gusto Games and its founder Simon Phillips, 26, also picked up the Young Business Person of the Year award. He said: "We work in a global business, so it is good to be recognised for what we do locally."

The Environment award went to timber frame house manufacturer Stewart Milne Timber Systems based in Witney. Quality and environment manager Michael Connolly said: "We are aware of the environment and understand the implications of reducing our use of natural resources."

The new Property and Construction award went to Blenheim Palace and Estates, the property arm of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. The estate is developing 32 residential homes and 50,000 sq ft of commercial space and wants to expand into commercial property investment in West Oxfordshire. Property director Roger File said: "We are looking to build up a good platform and move the estate forward, so it is good to receive this recognition."

The awards dinner, attended by 400 guests, raised £2,950 for the Home Farm Trust, based in Banbury and Milton Heights. The money came from donations at a glittering awards dinner attended by 400 guests.