The first ever Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards was held last night at the Vale Resort, bringing together some of the best of the Vale of Glamorgan business community, celebrating the hard work and vast talent of these business and the minds behind them. The VOG Business Awards values what’s important in the business community, highlighting the individuals that don’t just have successful business, but also those who make a difference to the wider community.

“I am delighted to be chairing the judging panel for the Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards. These awards will recognise the effort and inspiration of the businesses and entrepreneurs that are helping to make the Vale an exciting business location.” – David Stevens

Judges, David Stevens (Group Chief Executive Officer for the Admiral Group), Alys Carlton (Exectuive Coach and Business Mentor), Cllr Lis Burnett (Executive Leader and Cabinet Members for Performance and Resources), Natalie Issac (Director of the 44 Group), Ben Joakim (Head of Strategy at Principality Building Society) and Jill Gorin (Senior Regeneration Officer for the Vale of Glamorgan Council), had a difficult job in choosing a winner out of the worthy finalists.

There were 12 award categories:

Young Business Person– Abigail Walker of Abigail Walker Lingerie and Lauren Evans of Fablas Ice Cream.

Financial & Professional Service Business– Bevan Buckland LLP, Chris Price Financial Consultancy Ltd, Motts Insurance & Penarth Post Office.

Creative and Digital Business– Penarth View, Glass by Design & jamjar

Start-Up Business– Pickford’s Galley & Bar with Rooms, Soraya’s Cocktails and Dessert & Fredwell Cafe and Patisserie

Entrepreneur of the Year– Richard Ballantye of the Noble Group, John Davies of Penarth View, Candid Creative and Milkshed, Lora Payne of LVCA & Sally Stephenson of The Pencil Case Cowbridge

Green Business– Grounds for Good Ltd, Little Daffodil Clothing & ZeroAlpha Solutions

Growth Business– Little India @ Ltd, Saunders Plastering & GreenBrick Group

Retail Business– Griffin Books, Fablas Ice Cream Ltd, Thornbush Hill & Noble Group

Employer of the Year– Arbuthnot Opticians, Roperhurst Limited, Specsavers Barry & Vale Resort

Third Sector Business– Benthyg, The Goodwash Company, Motion Control Dance & Bro Radio

Technology & Innovation Business– Wales Interactive, MilDEF & TL Computer Systems Wales

Tourism & Leisure Business– Hide at St Donats, Hensol Castle Distillery, South Wales Aviation Museum, Gileston Manor Estate & The Great House Guest House

We were so happy to be a finalist in the Creative and Digital Business and we offer a huge congratulations to our Managing Editor, John Davies, who won the Entrepreneur of the Year award. A truly well deserved win! A showcase of his hard work and dedicated to his business and the community.