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THE ballroom at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells was full to capacity for the second West Kent Business Excellence Awards, organised by Courier Media Group, and the atmosphere was electric.

Everyone acknowledged that it has been a difficult year but this was an opportunity to celebrate success and achievement against the odds.

Guests were welcomed to the event by organiser Alan Pocock, who said he was delighted that Alex King, from Kent County Council, and Roy Bullock, from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, were both able to attend.

Kent and Sussex Courier editor Ian Read thanked all the sponsors for their support, particularly the head of the judging panel, local businessman Simon Hume-Kendall.

"Times are tough but everyone here has found ways to cast aside economic difficulties and grow their business by being innovative and continuing to market themselves," he said.

"Companies have had to adapt and change to move forward and we've done that at Courier Media Group as well. We are not resting on our laurels and have recently launched a new business section within our papers."

Simon Hume-Kendall told guests he had thoroughly enjoyed his role as the main judge of the West Kent Business Excellence Awards and said that there had been some fantastic entries.

"Times maybe tough – but, by being here, you have proved the ability to overcome adversity and make the most of opportunities," he said. "Being a finalist in the Awards is a great tool for your business and something to prove to your customers that you are 'one of the best'."

The awards could not go ahead without the support of all the sponsors – Charity Bank, Kent Attractions, Maxipay, Warners Solictors, Horwath Clark Whitehill, NatWest, West Kent College, West Kent Partnership and IGF, along with the West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Delighted

"We were delighted to sponsor the awards for the second year running," said Tracy Ewen, of IGF – sponsor of Outstanding Business Person.

"There was an increased level of applications in our category and the standard was extremely high, emphasising the diversity and quality of businesses across West Kent."

Fergus Ross from Warners Solicitors, sponsor of Corporate Responsibility, said: "The high quality of entries in this category highlighted the professional way that companies are approaching their corporate responsibility nowadays."

There were nine award categories and winners included Active Digital Communications (small/medium company) and Whiting and Hammond (large company) in 'Customer Care and Service'.

"We were shocked when our name was read out," said Brian Keeley-Whiting of Whiting and Hammond, which owns five pubs across Kent and Sussex.

Winners in the Innovation category were The Victoria Chart Company (small/medium company) and TerraBlu (large company).

"It's fantastic to win the award and it's a testament of the hard work of everyone in the organisation," said Richard Gould from TerraBlu, who was also a finalist in the Outstanding Business Person category.

Victoria Ballard, from The Victoria Chart Company, said: "I am over the moon and I've got a huge list of people we'll be telling about our achievement."

Halliwell/Elizabeth Finn Homes in Tunbridge Wells picked up the Award in Best Training Programme.

"We are thrilled to win the Award," said Gillian Forsyth.

Hospice in the Weald walked away with two accolades – West Kent Charity/Social Enterprise of the Year and Outstanding Business Person, for its chief executive John Ashelford.

"Winning two awards is fantastic recognition for the Hospice and everything it's achieved in the community over the past 29 years," said Mr Ashelford.