Burgess Hill businesses came together for an awards ceremony with a difference on Friday.

Launched in 2017 as a biennial event, the <em>BHBiz Awards</em> are not about profits and order books – but the people behind them. In this, the second ceremony, <em>BHBiz Awards 2019</em> recognised the achievements of employees from the top to the bottom of organisations for their contribution to the workplace and their community, across eleven categories and three special BHBPA awards.

Leading the charge, at the Amex Stadium event was PVL UK Ltd who took home a hat trick of three awards (Risen Star, Nick Broom; BHBPA Special Person, Emily Darnell; and BHBPA Special Company, Wesley Earp from Preview, owned by PVL UK).  <em>Bio-Productions Ltd</em>, scored a double-whammy of trophies as employee Chris Freeman took home the ‘Star Apprentice’ award, while Bio-Productions Ltd in its entirety laid claim to the ‘Best Business’ award.

Brandon Barnham from Ridgeview Wine Estate won the ‘Rising Star’ award while the team at Sutton Winson were named ‘Charity Champion’.

The team at Steve Willis Training received recognition for its work as ‘Community Champion’, Bluelite Graphics was named ‘Eco Warrior’ and Travail Employment Group secured ‘Winning Workplace’.

Extech Cloud took ‘Team of Stars’, while Ruth Everest of Sussex Cleaning &amp; Care, cleaned up with the ‘Invaluable Star’ award.

Three awards were reserved for the directors of BHBPA to make at their discretion. Amongst these, Esther Dawson from Ridgeview jointly won ‘Special Person’, and former chairman, Paul Shearing, was given an ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’.

“<em>We were absolutely thrilled with the awards evening</em>,” said BHBPA coordinator, Peter Liddell. “<em>This really was an event like no other – fun, friendly and informal. Our organising committee of Susan Fleet, Jaffer Lokhandvala, Emily Darnell and Esther Dawson surpassed themselves and it was a pleasure to work with them on this ambitious project.</em>”

The venue proved a huge hit - already buzzing 48 hours before the final game of Brighton's season, this sparkling event took it up a few notches more.

Nominee Roy Stannard, radio broadcaster and marketing specialist commented, “<em>This was my first time at The BHBiz Awards and I was blown away by how much effort had gone in behind the scenes. Jennie Bond was the consummate professional, witty, informed and yet very approachable and Duncan Turner was the perfect choice as MC, winning many new fans to his singing. Best of all, however, was the fact that the awards in the main, went to the unsung heroes, the backroom teams and the charity volunteers who make companies work as human, not just economic organisations."</em>

Susan Fleet, BHBPA Chairman and Awards Director, added: “<em>Our thanks go to all the sponsors who gave so generously and supported us on the evening.  So many local organisations came together to showcase the calibre of the talent in our business community.  We not only had a hugely successful evening but also raised in excess of £1200 for St Peter &amp; St James Hospice.</em>”

<strong>Note to Editors:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><em>BHBiz Awards 2019</em> took place on Friday 10 May at the Brighton Amex Community Stadium.</li>
 	<li>Popular broadcaster and journalist Jennie Bond acted as host for the evening. Jennie appears regularly on a wide range of television and radio programmes, ranging from light entertainment to informative documentaries.</li>
 	<li>Coming hot on the heels of his successful performance on ITV’s <em>The Voice</em> earlier this year, Duncan Turner served as Master of Ceremonies as well as entertaining the audience with a selection of vocals. Duncan is a swing &amp; jazz vocalist who delivers performances with flawless vocals, sophistication and style.</li>
 	<li>The awards were judged by Prudence Moore, former leader of Burgess Hill Town Councillor, Executive Director of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, Rosemary French OBE and Jeff Alexander, Chief Executive of Gatwick Diamond Business.</li>
 	<li>The <em>BHBiz Awards</em> will alternate in the coming years with the <em>BHBPA’s</em> <em>Burgess Hill Means Business </em></li>
 	<li>Sponsors for the event were: Bennett Christmas, Bio-Productions, BHBPA, Business Pulse, Edwards, E-mpower.IT, Extech Cloud, Fresh Displays, Handelsbanken, Lea Graham Associates, Lemonade Print Group, Preview, Ridgeview Wine Estate, Sherrards Law, Steve Willis Training Centres, Sussex Cleaning &amp; Care Ltd, Sutton Winson, Time 24, Travail Employment Group.</li>
</ul>