The campaign’s Gala Dinner and Charity Ball, hosted by TV presenter Michael Underwood, demonstrated the incredible mix and talent of businesses across the London Borough of Southwark.
At the luxury Hilton Bankside on June 13, more than 400 people enjoyed a three-course meal, entertainment, charity raffle and then dancing until the early hours after winners were announced in 15 categories (You can see winners at www.southwarkawards.co.uk/the-2019-winners ).
Origin Coffee Roasters, nestled beneath Scoresby Street’s railway arches, were selected by judges as Business of the Year from the cluster of category winners. Sophie Egan and Umair Arshad collected the Award as the ceremony closed, having scooped the Best Food and Beverage prize, earlier in the evening.
Their coffee shop, serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch, opened in Southwark last October. Judges were impressed by their highly professional attitude, civic engagement, innovation, strong commitment to sustainability, fantastic customer service, focus on staff training and development, and support for the living wage.
Sophie said: “This is amazing. We’re so proud to be part of the Southwark community and this is recognition of that. We believe we’ve been awarded for the way we engage with people, our customers, our staff – our ethos. Our Cornwall roots keep us humble, we look after our people” (To see the gallery of 2019 SBA Winners, click here).
London Southbank University is the Awards headline sponsor. Angela Dalrymple, Director of Education and Student Experience in the School of Business, highlighted the university’s successes to Gala Dinner attendees. These included being ranked third in the whole of the UK for graduate careers, winning Entrepreneurial University of the Year and being 15th in the world for enterprise. There are 72 graduate business start-ups working alongside the university and programmes worth £9m involve 700 SMEs. The University’s Passmore Centre, a one-stop shop connecting employers and apprentices, is a unique collaboration between the university, businesses and the local authority.
“We’re really committed to supporting businesses in Southwark,” Angela said. “We’ve been here since 1862, we’re Southwark’s own university and we’re very proud of that.”
Alison May, London South Bank University Apprenticeships Manager, added: “This has been a fantastic night that’s really showcased the diversity, innovation and strength of businesses in Southwark. Businesses are about relationships – with their community, their customers, their staff. Tonight celebrates that and it’s been buy sertraline.”
Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business and Innovation with Awards Partner Southwark Council, addressed Gala Dinner attendees, saying Southwark is open for business. She added that local businesses are at the heart of the borough and play a vital role in strengthening the local economy. Businesses were urged to sign up to the ‘Open the Door’ initiative, launching in October as part of the Awards campaign
As well as the incredible array of companies entering and being shortlisted, the Awards are backed by a prestigious group of businesses. They include British Land, who sponsored the Cultural Commitment Award; Delancey, Best Charity or Social Enterprise; Galliard Homes / Aviva Investors, Women in Business; Great Portland Estates, Apprentice Employer of the Year; Landsec, Best Business for Tech & Innovation; Lendlease, Independent Retailer of the Year; UAL: London College of Communication, Contribution to the Community Award; Wates Construction, Best Business for Customer Service.
The Shangri-La hosted our launch event with Willmott Dixon sponsored this and the VIP Drinks Reception at the Gala Dinner. Our supporters also include Fourpure Brewing, Insight6 mystery shopping, Sea Containers London and Southwark News.
Want to read more? Check out our spotlight articles on SBA’s 2019 Winner of Entrepreneur of the Year and SBA’s 2019 Winners of Contribution to the Community
