COMPANIES from Monmouthshire and the surrounding area were honoured at a glittering awards presentation as more than 350 people attended the Monmouthshire Business Awards last Friday night (6th October).

The gala dinner and presentation night at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport concluded an awards programme that saw a threefold increase in entries.

This year’s awards were expanded to cover the ‘old Monmouthshire’ – towns and cities that were part of the county prior to 1965.

The approach opened the awards to entries from businesses beyond the current Monmouthshire county to Newport, Caerleon, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly.

Broadcaster Hywel James revealed this year’s winners when he hosted the gala night. Despite the increase in size this year, the awards retained their relaxed, friendly approach.

The top award this year went to Newport-based timber firm Premier Forest Products, who were named Company of the Year.

The most emotional moment of the night saw Young Apprentice winner Ellie Curtis, from Little Tigers Daycare in Rogiet, take to the stage in tears, so shocked and delighted was she to be named the winner.

And the funniest moment went to Excellence in Manufacturing winner HJ Weir Engineering of Chepstow, whose holidaying managing director Ross Weir accepted the award via a spoof live satellite video feed from Barbados.

MBA founder and director Janet Harris said: “This was the biggest and best awards we have staged by far and the atmosphere at the gala dinner and presentation night was second to none.

“Everyone was supportive of every single nominee, and there was a real feeling that we were all there to celebrate the fantastic and innovative businesses operating in this area of Wales.

“Next year’s awards are already confirmed and the planning starts now.”

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor of next year’s Monmouthshire Business Awards, which will take place on 19th October, should call 01633 891514 go to www.monbizawards.co.uk

This year’s winners at the Monmouthshire Business Awards were:

•Company of the Year: Premier Forest Products, Newport.

Also nominated: Tiny Rebel Brewing, Newport; Estuary Oils, Rogiet.

•Best Small Business: Axis Chiropractic, Newport.

Also nominated: King Financial Services, Pontypool; Welsh ICE, Caerphilly; Miracle Workers, Abergavenny.

•Excellence in Manufacturing: HJ Weir Engineering, Chepstow.

Also nominated: Keen Attachments, Caldicot; Capital Valley Plastics, Cwmavon.

•Hospitality, Travel and Tourism: Chepstow Racecourse.

Also nominated; The Whitebrook, Monmouth; The Lion Hotel, Blaenavon.

•Excellence in Small Food and Drink Producers: Blaenafon Cheddar Company, Blaenavon.

Also nominated: Tiny Rebel Brewing, Newport; White Castle Vineyard, Abergavenny.

•Young Apprentice: Ellie Curtis, Little Tigers Daycare, Rogiet.

Also nominated: Russell Beale, Vinci, Newport; Chester Maclean Rowles, Lovell, Cardiff.

•New Business Start-Up: Help4Wales Foundation, Caerphilly.

Also nominated: HMO Heaven, Newport; Horton’s Coffee House, Newport.

•Excellence in Innovation: Capital Valley Plastics, Cwmavon. Also nominated: Siltbuster, Monmouth; Flame Protect UK, Abertillery.

•Young Entrepreneur: Michael McLeod, UniGreenScheme, Mamhilad.

Also nominated: Emily Hicks, Emily Hicks Creative Design, Caerphilly; Owen Richards, Big Lemon Creative, Caerphilly.

•Excellence in Marketing: AluK, Chepstow.

Also nominated: Axis Chiropractic, Newport; Impact School Improvement, Caerphilly.

•Excellence in Exporting and International Trade: Reid Lifting, Chepstow.

Also nominated: Keen Attachments, Caldicot; HJ Weir Engineering, Chepstow.