Test Valley Business Awards: Winners of the seven categories honoured

The awards were honouring the outstanding achievements of local businesses across the region.

Out of nearly 200 entries spanning seven award categories, 21 exceptional finalists were selected to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and success of businesses within Test Valley - and the winners were announced at a gala dinner. 

Chairman of the Test Valley Business Awards committee, Katie Brooks said: "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of the very special 20th anniversary of our awards." 

The guests (Image: Kimberley Barber) The finalists were chosen by a panel of esteemed judges, representing the awards’ gold sponsors, who meticulously evaluated the entries. The judging process involved site visits and in-depth assessments, ensuring that the very best of local enterprise was recognised.

The evening, hosted by Andrew Bulpitt, from Bulpitt Printers, and Dmitrijs Meiksans, director of The Local Marketing Company Ltd, was a resounding success, shining a spotlight on businesses large and small, from family-run enterprises to pioneering technology firms, all playing a vital role in the economic and social fabric of the region.

A special thank you was given to founders David Gleave and Denize Goodall, who were both at the awards evening. In honour of the third founder, Mark Edgerley, who sadly passed away earlier this year, a burrowing owl and meadow plot have been adopted at The Hawk Conservancy as a tribute to his passion for wildlife.

More than 150 local business representatives gathered together to network, enjoy delicious food prepared by Michelin Star caterers McCrimmon & Reid. Guests also had the opportunity to hear the evening’s guest speaker, Toni Kent, a highly respected speaker and writer dedicated to promoting social mobility and addressing poverty.

Founders with chairman Katie Brooks (Image: Kimberley Barber) Mayor of the Test Valley Councillor Ian Jeffrey, was also in attendance with his wife mayoress Maura. He said that there was a £3.4bn business economy in Test Valley. 

He said: "The collective efforts in all levels of our business are what makes Test Valley not just a great place to run a business, but also a great place for them to thrive." 

The winner of the Business in the Community Awards, was family-run business Stannah, which operates from a large base in Andover. The business has just marked its one millionth stairlift leaving its production line, on the same day it opened a new factory. 

Fiona Neil, from the firm, collected the award. She said: "It is a real privilege to be here. Through my role I get to run the charity programme at Stannah. We are only up here before of the amazing community in Andover. Thank you to them." 

Katie Matthews, from K & B Sewing Machines, was also honoured with the New Business of the Year award. 

She runs a sewing machine repair business in Romsey and has recently written a best selling book called The Ultimate Sewing Machine Mystery. She is also one of the only female sewing machine engineers in the UK. 

She said: "I think that sewing is good for the soul and I promote that in my shop." 

Rural Business of the Year went to TH White Pro Agri, an agricultural equipment specialist in Stockbridge. 

Andrew Hannington, from the firm, said they were delighted to win and to sponsor Romsey Young Farmers. 

He said: "For us it's about going the extra mile." 

@andoveradvertiser Test Valley Business Awards took place at the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop last night #Hampshire #Andover #Romsey ♬ Proud - Heather Small

Full details of the winners:  

Business in the Community Award

Sponsored by Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton

Winner: Stannah

Since its founding in the 1860s, Stannah has supported social causes and charities, focusing on local communities where they operate. Their charitable efforts are organized around five key areas: supporting the disadvantaged, health and wellbeing, the environment, community events, and STEM. Stannah encourages employee involvement by offering two paid volunteering days and a 100% match funding scheme for personal charitable activities. They also commit to multi-year funding for core charities. Since 2017, Stannah has donated over £400,000 and recruits around 18 apprentices annually in various roles.

Highly commended: Ironsight Activities

Highly commended: Finkley Down Farm

Stannah (Image: Kimberley Barber) Sustainability Award 

Sponsored by Test Valley Borough Council

Winner: Preformed Line Products

PLP plays a key role in bringing offshore wind energy from Scotland to England and has been ISO 14001 accredited since 2017. In response to the 2022 energy crisis, they employed a Graduate Environmental Engineer to monitor and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in energy-efficient foundry pots and heat-saving measures have led to a 50% reduction in energy use over two years. PLP has implemented carbon footprint assessments and tracks Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. By 2024, a 343kW solar array is expected to cover 45% of their electricity needs.

Highly commended: EP Projects

Highly commended: Lemon & Jinja

Preformed Line Products (Image: Kimberley Barber) Business Innovation and Technology Award

Sponsored by University of Southampton Science Park

Winner: Ilika Technologies

Ilika, founded in 2004, has grown into a team of over 70 innovators across two state-of-the-art facilities in Romsey. The company develops solid-state batteries (SSBs) for electric vehicles (EVs) that offer increased capacity, longer range, faster charging, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Their SSB brand, Goliath, features strong sustainability credentials. As the only UK developer of SSBs, Ilika aims to address range anxiety and safety concerns in the EV market, competing with companies in the US and Asia. With a robust patent portfolio, Ilika engages the automotive industry and regularly hosts visits from leading global manufacturers.

Highly commended: Pudsey Diamond Engineering

Highly commended: Botlib AI

Ilika Technologies with sponsor Robin Chave from University of Southampton Science Park (Image: Kimberley Barber)

New Business of the Year Award

Sponsored by Access Care

Winner: K&B Sewing Machines

Founded by Katie Matthews, K&B Sewing Machines offers a wide range of services beyond selling and servicing sewing machines. The business, in Romsey, provides machine servicing, haberdashery, fabrics, craft kits, books, workshops, and pop-up events, earning a reputation for exceptional service, especially for Hampshire schools and colleges. Katie focuses on community engagement, promoting creativity and mental health support through courses and workshops. She offers work experience for students, and her book, The Ultimate Sewing Machine Mastery, reached No. 1 in its Amazon category. She is developing an online course titled “Getting the Best from Your Sewing Machine”.

Highly commended: Bridge End Alpacas

Highly commended: Phatapp

Katie Matthews, left, from K&B Sewing Machines (Image: Kimberley Barber) Small Business of the Year Award

Sponsored by Parker Bullen

Winner: Emily The Physio

A holistic healthcare provider, Emily the Physio has evolved from a home-based operation into The Wellbeing Hub, a dedicated facility empowering individuals to take charge of their health. Offering services like physiotherapy, blood testing, dietetics, and mindfulness, the company ensures tailored healthcare, including pregnancy support and post-stroke rehabilitation. In response to COVID-19, they adapted by introducing virtual classes and implementing safety measures for in-person appointments. This has driven revenue from £5,000 in its first year to over £50,000 in 2023/24, with projections to surpass £80,000 in 2024/25.

Highly commended: Nidge’s Artisan Pizza Kitchen

Highly commended: Tembo Cleaning Service

Emily the Physio (left) (Image: Kimberley Barber)Young Business Person of the Year Award

Sponsored by The Sparsholt College Group

Winner: Georgina Sutton-Welch – Innoveq

Georgina runs a specialist equine centre for local horse owners, offering monthly livery packages and daily sessions focused on sports therapy, conditioning, rehabilitation, and performance optimisation, utilising her qualifications as an insured Equine Sports Massage & Rehabilitation Therapist. The centre also hosts informative talks and clinics, fostering a community for amateur and professional riders, with free events encouraging discussions about horses. Clients, aged 14 to 70+, build friendships that promote positive mental health and combat rural isolation. The centre has employed 15 locals, providing free training and work placements for students from Sparsholt College and local schools.

Highly commended: India Seddon – Sit Walk Stay

Highly commended: Rebecca Cork – Paultons Golf Centre

Georgina Sutton-Welch (right) (Image: Kimberley Barber) Rural Business of the Year Award

Sponsored by The Oak, Smannell

Winner: TH White Pro Agri

Since opening in 2016, TH White Pro Agri in Stockbridge has flourished, providing machinery sales and services to the agricultural community across the Test Valley. The team has expanded from four to over 20 staff, including four apprentices, and is available year-round. They engage with local schools to educate young people about UK agriculture and sponsor Romsey Young Farmers, hosting events like the annual charity tractor run. In 2022, they became the first and only Case IH 'Master' service dealership and were named Service Dealer of the Year.

Highly commended: Army Flying Museum

Highly commended: Oaktrack

Andrew Hannington from TH White Pro Agri with sponsors The Oak (Image: Kimberley Barber)

The awards were sponsored by: Access Care, Test Valley Borough Council, Parker Bullen Solicitors, Barratt Homes, Sparsholt College. University of Southampton Science Park, The Oak Smannell. 

Also helping to support the awards were Bulpitt Print, McCrimmon & Reid, AndreapennA Photography, Kimbridge Barn, Pear Trees Sales and Procurement, The Incuhive Space, Andover Women in Business, DMS Technologies, Addis Property Maintenance and The SP Bar.