The 2013 National Business Awards winners were announced last night at the gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by Sky's Dermot Murnaghan.
The UK's leading business professionals and organisations gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane at the twelfth annual ceremony which was opened by a video address from the Rt Hon David Cameron.
Winners from each of the 17 categories were announced with those receiving awards including Hermes UK for The Inflexion Growth Business of the Year, Oliver Valves for The International Growth Business of the Year and Sainsbury's taking home The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year.
Sir David McMurtry, Chairman & CEO, Renishaw was honoured with the prestigious Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business, voted for by the NBA Advisory Board. The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award was received by Newton Europe, the leading operational and financial improvement specialists. UKFast took home the Croner Employer of the Year Award for their success engaging employees, which has led to a significant improvement in commercial results. David Spencer Percival of Spencer Ogden received the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He leads the energy recruitment specialists and has been recognised for qualities such as drive, ambition and inspirational leadership.
The prestigious Leader of the Year Award was also revealed with Thomas Cook's Harriet Green triumphing despite strong competition from Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK & Ireland, Richard Cousins, CEO of Compass Group, Valerie Soranno Keating, CEO of Barclaycard and Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityGroup. This award was voted for by a combination of a public vote and a peer ballot of around 40 CEOs and thought leaders.
Future Champions were also revealed for the first time in 2013 to recognise those who came very close to winning in their award category. These Future Champions included Anglian Water for The ICAEW Sustainable Business Award and Warwick Music for The Innovation Award.
David Cameron opened the event with a video address acknowledging the National Business Awards for recognising excellence in enterprise and honouring some of the biggest business success stories. He told the audience: "A strong private sector is exactly what Britain needs to get back on its feet. I'm determined that Britain becomes the best place in the world to start a business, to grow a business and to do business."
The Prime Minister's message was followed by Sir Bob Geldof, who addressed the 1200 attending business leaders on the role of business in society. HRH Prince Andrew also announced his support for the launch of The HRH Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2014.
