Glittering awards night really is the business

It was a night to remember as the stars of the UK commerce world shone during the annual celebration of business at the Guildhall.

More than 500 of the best and the brightest from the area's companies and businesses packed the black-tie News Business Excellence Awards.

The event, in its fifth year, again attracted record entries in eight categories from firms and individuals across the UK.

A ninth category - Lifetime Achievement - was awarded at the judges' discretion to Jeremy Young, of commercial property agency Lambert Smith Hampton, of Segensworth, near Fareham. It recognised his 30-plus years helping to develop the Solent region and his voluntary work for organisations like the chamber of Commerce and Industry.

But the loudest cheer of the night was for Business of The Year winners, telemarketing company Market Makers, of Quartremaine Road, Portsmouth.

Founders Paul Thomas and Henry Braithwaite were mobbed by their delighted team as they tried to get on stage. Mr Thomas said: 'This is brilliant. It's overwhelming. The team are crying out there. It means such a huge amount for the company.'

Phil Wilding, the chairman of event sponsors Business Link, said: 'The night shows there is a thriving business community across all sectors.'

The night was also about fun - and the guests were in stitches at the quick-fire wit of the evening's guest speaker, Irish comic Frank Carson.

He also gave away a framed limited edition copy of George Best's birth certificate and a framed limited-edition £5 Scottish note with a picture of golfer Jack Nicklaus on it for the charity draw in aid of Hampshire Autistic Society.

At the end of the night, Look 2004 winner Gemma Harvey collected a cheque for £3,000 on behalf of the charity.

Winner of Business of the Year
Market Makers, Portsmouth.

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