Companies are up for awards (From Falmouth Packet)

Companies are up for awards

8:30am Monday 7th May 2012 in Business

Companies from across Falmouth, Penryn and Helston will be keeping their fingers crossed this week after learning they’ve been shortlisted at the Cornwall Business Awards.

Firms from every part of the county are in contention for the coveted awards, which are presented annually by Cornwall Development Company.

Helston organic clothing company Frugi has been shortlisted in a record-breaking five categories.

Cornwall Development Company chief executive Suzanne Bond said: “Once again, it’s a tremendously strong shortlist, and all 31 companies are to be congratulated on getting this far – particularly the many first-time nominees.

"The judges have chosen three women for the Entrepreneur of the Year shortlist. With women occupying just 15% of top business jobs nationally, Cornwall is clearly leading the way in developing innovative and pioneering female business leaders."

The Falmouth-Penryn area is well represented, with Rachel Jones of Fit’n’Fun Kids hoping to complete a unique hat-trick of Entrepreneur of the Year titles.

Other local contenders include email marketers Jarrang (Best Use of Superfast Broadband), Sea Communications (Creative Use of Design). Vision Independent Financial Planning (Growth Business), Fugro Seacore (International Business) and Mylor Bridge boatbuilder Cockwells (Excellence in Marketing).

Managing director Dave Cockwell said: “We are very happy that the amount of craftsmanship and effort that goes into each product we make is being noticed, at home and abroad."

In Helston, as well as Frugi’s nominations (Customer Focus, Creative Use of Design, Growth Businesses, Best International Business and Entrepreneur of the Year), Cornwall’s reigning Young Businessperson of the Year, Dan Parker of Firetext, is in contention to retain the title.

Other shortlisted companies include Classic Cottages (Customer Focus), Matthew Lugg of MJL Group (Business Leader of the Year), and plaster company Clayworks (Business Innovation).

The full shortlist for Cornwall Business Awards 2012 is as follows:

Young Businessperson: Thomas Hazzledine, Dan Parker, Nikki Wagstaffe

New Business: Cornwall Solar Panels, HeadForwards, The Vine

Best Third Sector: Cornwall Air Ambulance, R-ECO, WREN

Customer Focus: Classic Cottages, Frugi, Mounts Bay Vets

Employer of the Year: Pall Newquay, Reflex Marine, TJ International

Best Use of Superfast Broadband: Continental UFH, Jarrang, R-ECO

Most Creative Use of Design: Frugi, Sea Communications, Zoeftig

Business Leader: Andrew Holland, Rachel Jones, Matthew Lugg

Excellence in Marketing: Cockwells, St Moritz, TRAC Services

Most Dynamic Growth Business: Frugi, TRAC Services, Vision Financial Planning

Best Diversification: Cornwall Air Ambulance, Gripsure, PSG Cornwall

Best International Business: Frugi, Fugro Seacore, Pall Newquay, Zoeftig

Best Business Innovation: Clayworks, Cornwall Geo Environmental, Useeka

Entrepreneur of the Year: Lucy Jewson, Rachel Jones, Sarah Trethowan