Tunbridge Wells Business Awards launch to celebrate local success
Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine hosts its first awards later this year which will celebrate our thriving local business community. Read on to discover how you can be a part of this inaugural event and discover who our sponsors and judges are…
Tunbridge Wells has long been known for its vibrant and diverse business community. From leading law firms and expert finance companies, to independent retailers, property entrepreneurs and a prolific hospitality scene, there are so many dynamic companies operating in our town.
Whether they are large, long established firms, SMEs or fledgling start ups there is room for everyone and that is why we have decided to launch our first ever business awards in order to celebrate the great and the good and to shine a spotlight on the ingenuity, resilience, and ambition of the businesses that make Tunbridge Wells such a remarkable place to work.
The awards are open to all types of businesses and entries are now open. Simply head to our website www.twbusinessmagazine.com and fill in the form. For every entry received £10 will be donated to our chosen charity Taylor Made Dreams. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our main sponsor Dee Airey photography. Our other key sponsors can be seen on our awards categories breakout.
By entering your business it is more than just a chance to be recognised for excellence; it’s an opportunity to raise your company’s profile, strengthen your brand, and demonstrate your commitment to the local business community.
Nick Moore, CEO of JJL Media, publisher of this title and organiser of the Tunbridge Wells Business Awards says: “The launch of The Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine Awards is a fantastic initiative that promises to be a landmark event for the region.
“Far too often, the incredible success stories that define our business community have flown under the radar. These awards will change that. This is more than just an awards event; it’s a powerful platform to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and sheer passion that drives our town’s commercial spirit.”
He adds: “At JJL, we are proud to run an event that not only honours achievement but also acknowledges and creates the connections and inspiration that will help fuel growth for years to come. I encourage every business in the area to get involved – to put themselves forward, to champion their peers, and to help us showcase the very best of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge businesses.”
With categories designed to highlight everything from innovation and growth to customer service and sustainability, the Tunbridge Wells Business Awards promise to be a showcase of talent, determination, and local enterprise at its finest.
You will have until December to enter the awards which will then culminate in a prestigious drinks reception on 17th December at Thackeray’s Restaurant.
For more information head to our website or email: hello@twbusinessmagazine.com
MEET OUR JUDGING PANEL:
Pam Loch, Founder of the Loch Associates Group
Pam Loch is an award-winning solicitor and expert on employment law and HR issues. She set up Loch Associates in 2007 with the vision of creating a business which responds to the need for commercial and bespoke legal and people solutions. Over the years she and her team have added on various services offering solutions in all elements of HR, employment, training and wellbeing as well as business law.
A dual-qualified solicitor, having qualified in Scotland, Pam has can identify with those who have had to navigate the many challenges any business leader may face. This makes her passionate about fairness and equality, diversity and inclusion and healthy, happy places of work that foster a collaborative and entrepreneurial approach.
Pam has been President of West Kent Chambers of Commerce and the local Law Society and also set up the community platform enTWine in 2020.
Rob Brophy, Angel Investor, Co-Founder of OSTC and entrepreneur
Rob is recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Angel Investors by Founder Forum. With over 25 years of trading expertise, he has built a distinguished career as both a trader and trainer. As Co-Founder and former owner of OSTC Ltd, he played a pivotal role in growing the company into one of the world’s leading proprietary trading firms. Under his leadership, OSTC expanded to 14 offices worldwide, employing more than 450 people and earning a reputation as a major provider of market liquidity through electronic futures trading across all major asset classes.
Now based in Tunbridge Wells, where he has been a long-term resident, Rob focuses on professional coaching and mentoring. He advises and supports entrepreneurs on the challenges of scaling their businesses, drawing on his extensive experience in building and leading high-performance organisations.
Dee Airey, photographer, business coach, author and business owner
Dee Airey is the textbook definition of an entrepreneur. She has spent her whole professional life spotting opportunities for businesses and growing them from the ground up. She started out in the construction industry and revolutionised how the businesses she freelanced for operated their HR and general management. This led to Dee co-running her own business, Airey Miller, with her husband for many years. And just last year she launched a specialist recruitment, Construction Professionals HR & Recruitment company, based on The Pantiles.
Add to her career portfolio the roles of a highly successful portrait photographer, global business coach, published author and podcaster, and you have a pretty formidable force in our local business community.
Andy Evans, Co-owner of global content agency Eleven, investor and mentor
Andy is an advisor, mentor, and investor in digital businesses, spanning sectors from aviation to children’s entertainment, with a focus on performance marketing as a partner in the BLUE14 investment syndicate.
A lifelong technology enthusiast, he founded Net Communities, one of the UK’s first digital publishing businesses, later sold to Future plc in 2015. In 2005 he launched the UK’s first podcast production company, and went on to build and exit OnScroll, an advertising technology company acquired by a major US firm.
Today, Andy is Co-owner of Eleven, a global content agency, an active investor in more than 22 companies, and founder of RTWMG, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Media Group.
Siobhan Stirling, Managing Director of PR and marketing agency Sharp Minds Communications
Siobhan Stirling is a multi-award-winning communications expert, and the founder and Managing Director of PR and marketing agency Sharp Minds Communications. Specialising in original thought leadership to help brands achieve breakthrough growth, Sharp Minds deliver powerful, cost-effective campaigns that enable their clients to punch above their weight.
Siobhan has spearheaded campaigns that have reached global audiences of more than 230 million, helping businesses to break into new markets, successfully launch new products and services, attract more valuable clients, and increase both turnover and profit. A finalist in the Sabre EMEA PR Awards, Siobhan was named Best Woman in Marketing and PR at the prestigious national Best Businesswoman Awards, as well as winning titles for five years in a row at the Kent Business Women Awards before being invited to join the judging panel.
