Category: Events and awards

Event alert: Idea theft ends here! Understanding Intellectual Property

Published 9 December 2024

Advice and support, Events and awards

This interactive workshop has been developed to provide business owners and entrepreneurs with the insights and information you need to understand intellectual property (IP) rights and protect your business’s IP.

This is a complimentary in-person workshop being held by Business Surrey in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council. The workshop will take place at Surrey Heath Borough Council offices on Wednesday 29 January, from 8.30am to 11am.

Topics we’ll cover on the day:

  • Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP)
  • The different types of IP Rights available to you 
  • Importance of IP in todayโ€™s economy 
  • Practical case studies and examples of IP disputes  
  • Basics of IP registration and enforcement 
  • Interactive Q&A session 

The workshop will be led by Laurie Heizler, from TWM Solicitors. Laurie is a Partner in the Business Law department. He has acted for clients in the technology, media and education sectors as well as for several household names in the world of consumer goods. He has extensive experience of dealing with IP matters and disputes relating to patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and confidential information. Laurie’s well-earned reputation for explaining IP matters clearly, makes him the perfect speaker to bring the topic of IP to life for this workshop. Laurie will be joined by his IP-focussed Trainee Solicitor, Grace Makungu for the Q&A part of the workshop.

By attending this workshop, you can expect to gain a stronger understanding of the principles of intellectual property rights, and how to effectively protect your business’s own intellectual property.

This event is perfect for SME owners and entrepreneurs in Surrey. There is no entry fee and no limit on the number of attendees from a single business. Spaces are limited and you must pre-register to attend. Register today to save your place.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service offering free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest news on funding, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

Three people in professional wear stand in front of a promotional banner for Business Surrey

Spelthorne Business Awards winners for 2024 announced

Published 7 December 2024

Events and awards

The winners of the 2024 Spelthorne Business Awards have been announced – with fresh juice company Mejuicer winning the headline award.

Business Surrey was a proud sponsor of the event held in the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury.

It saw the hard work, creativity and achievements of dozens of businesses from Staines, Shepperton, Sunbury, Ashford and beyond recognised.

From innovative startups to leading multinational firms, there was a spotlight on the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that drives economic success.ย 

Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne, shared his admiration for the entrants. He said: “The range and quality of entries this year are proof of the wealth of entrepreneurial spirit, talent, and innovative thinking across Spelthorne.

“This community is truly rich with business expertise, and their achievements make me hopeful for Spelthorne’s bright future. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. I’d also like to extend our thanks to the sponsors who make this celebration of local talent possible.

“The Spelthorne Business Awards are a wonderful platform to honour the accomplishments of our businesses, regardless of size, especially given the challenging economic conditions.”

Spelthorne Business Awards winners

  • Best Overall Business in Spelthorne – Mejuicer
  • Best New Start-Up Award – The Stewart Academy of Performing Arts
  • Best Small Business Award – Totally Tangerine Cookery
  • Best Restaurant, Bar or Pub Awards – Indian Zest
  • Business Innovation Award – Thames Side Brewery
  • Sustainability Award – Mova Hairdressing Ltd
  • Best Franchise Award – Right at Home Richmond & Twickenham
  • Retail Excellence Award – Mejuicer
  • Best Hospitality & Leisure Business – The Magpie Pub
  • Best Construction & Property Business – Prestige Interiors
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Visit Staines
  • Best Business in Staines & Laleham – Specsavers Staines
  • Best Business in Ashford & Stanwell – Totally Tangerine Cookery
  • Best Business in Sunbury & Halliford – The Magpie Pub
  • Best Business in Shepperton & Charlton – Village Matters Ltd

For a full list of finalists, visit the Spelthorne Business Awards website.

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Events roundup – December

Published 28 November 2024

Events and awards

Events and awards

As 2024 draws to a close, we continue to offer collaborative ways to boost your business that fit around the working day.ย  Highlights are included here but donโ€™t forget to check out the full list of Surrey events in December onย our events page.

This monthโ€™s events include our own free, in-person workshop to Accelerate Growth and Win More Customers (do register to avoid disappointment – there are only a few spaces left now), as well as a half-day course on Customs Procedures and Documentation

Festive events

If you fancy getting festive at the same time as networking and learning, why not join Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for their Festive Learning Lunch (12 December) get-together, or the Surrey Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Lunch (18 December).

Online events

If you canโ€™t make the in-person events, put the kettle on and join on-line for the IoD Surrey Branch Directors Member Coffee & Connect (3 December), or how about the nTrust 5 Cool things to do with Copilot (4 December) webinar to learn how to maximise your use of Microsoft 365’s AI capabilities?

Submit your own event

Donโ€™t forget, our events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

And make sure you always hear about upcoming events by registering for our regular e-newsletter.

A side view of people sitting at a business conference and listening to a speaker.

Surrey Business Awards 2024 winners announced

Published 13 November 2024

Events and awards

The winners of the annual Surrey Business Awards have been announced at a glittering gala dinner at G Live in Guildford.

Launched in 2007, this year attracted a record number of entries across 16 categories, recognising accomplishments made across all aspects of business; from personal successes to outstanding contributions. 

The ceremony was hosted by Surrey Chambers of Commerce and compered by comedian, Suzi Ruffell. 

Company of the Year

Business Surrey was proud to sponsor the 2024 Company of the Year Award.

The five shortlisted businesses were:

Surrey County Councilโ€™s leader, Tim Oliver OBE, presented the winner, Guildford-based Diamond Logistics, with their award. The team were delighted to be awarded this coveted title and noted “This recognition highlights the relentless dedication of our team, who work every day to redefine logistics for our clients. From managing peak season surges to providing the essential support so many businesses rely on, our commitment has truly shone through. Thank you to the Surrey Business Awards for this honour, and to our clients and our fantastic teamโ€”this win is for all of you!”

Winners of the Surrey Business Awards

The full list of winners of the 2024 Surrey Business Awards are:

  • Diamond Logistics – Company of the Year
  • Hemisphere Freight Services โ€“ International Business of the Year
  • Nescot โ€“ Employer of the Year
  • Include.org โ€“ Community Hero
  • The Naked Pharmacy โ€“ Best Customer Service
  • KickX Football – Best New Business
  • The Naked Pharmacy – SME Business of the Year
  • Invuse โ€“ Professional Services
  • Parwez Diloo โ€“ Bays Consulting โ€“ Future Talent of the Year
  • Surrey Business School โ€“ Chamber Member of the Year
  • Direk โ€“ Innovation of the Year
  • Pinksheep Marketing โ€“ Business Growth
  • Something Big โ€“ ESG Champion
  • Aspen Homes โ€“ Property Developer of the Year
  • Sven Hughes โ€“ Enigma Strategic Communications โ€“ Businessperson of the Year
  • Croxsons โ€“ Large Business of the Year

Support for Surrey businesses

Our team of experts are available to provide tailored advice to help your bsuiness grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest news on support, events funding and more for all Surrey businesses.

Company of the Year - Diamond Logistics - Surrey Business Awards 2024

Event alert: Accelerate growth and win more customers

Published 12 November 2024

Advice and support, Events and awards

This interactive workshop has been developed to equip small and medium-sized businesses with effective strategies to accelerate long-lasting growth. Participants will gain practical insights and hands-on experience to stimulate their customer pipeline and drive business success.

This is a complimentary in-person workshop held by Business Surrey, in partnership with Tandridge District Council. The event is being held at Nutfield Priory Hotel and Spa (Nutfield), on Wednesday 11 December, from 8.30am to 11am.

Topics we’ll cover on the day:

  • Understanding your market
  • Crafting a compelling value proposition
  • Building strong customer relationships
  • Closing techniques and negotiation skills

The workshop will be led by Roya Croudace, a skilled Commercial Director, Founder, and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of expertise in driving business growth, especially for SMEs. With experience spanning over 400 scale-up businesses in Surrey and FTSE 100 companies, Roya offers unique insights into creating robust and effective plans to accelerate growth, achieving measurable results, and building sustainable foundations for ongoing success.

Through her workshops and programs, Roya equips SMEs with practical tools to accelerate revenue, attract and retain customers, and boost profits.

On the day, you can expect to learn actionable strategies that drive success and build strong customer relationships, ensuring lasting impact for growing businesses.

This event is perfect for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) owners and entrepreneurs in Surrey. There is no entry fee and no limit on the number of attendees from a single business, but spaces are limited and you must pre-register to attend. Register today to save your place.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service offering free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest news on funding, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

A side view of people sitting at a business conference and listening to a speaker.

Events Roundup – November 2024

Published 18 October 2024

Events and awards

Once again, November sees a range of events happening across Surrey to help you boost your business.ย  From free seminars and workshops to networking and learning lunches; there are many events to chose from that fit around the working day.ย  Highlights are included here but donโ€™t forget to check out the full list onย our events page.

This month sees a range of both online and in-person business events, covering a range of sectors and topics: from Free Workshops for Mole Valley food businesses (Leatherhead, 4 November) to Solving the Recruitment Conundrum (Camberley, 14 November). 

November continues to see businesses recognised for their innovation, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit with the Surrey Business Awards (7 November).  There are also a number of events for Business Women in Surrey, including the Surrey Womenโ€™s Entrepreneurship Network Anniversary Event (28 November) plus a number of IoD Surrey Branch Directors events.

Breakfast events in Surrey

If youโ€™re a morning person there are plenty of in-person breakfast events to get your day off to a great start, including Epsom Business Club November Networking with Business Surreyโ€™s Renee Carter (6 November),  Business Women in Surrey Business Breakfast (13 November) and Mole Valley Chamber Breakfast networking โ€“ Secrets to Smarter Pricing (20 November)

Online events

If you canโ€™t make the in-person events, why not join some of the free webinars on offer which include: Futureproofing your accounting software with Azets (6 November) and Business Surreyโ€™s seminar: Pathways to Sustainability for SMEโ€™s in Surrey  (14 November)

Submit your own business event

Let us help promote your business event to a wider audience by submitting it to our events directory. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey, from startups to established businesses.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice across the whole range of business topics to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

Fully-booked Surrey Festival of Skills set to be even bigger and better for 2024

Published 11 October 2024

Events and awards, Skills and workforce

The Surrey Festival of Skills is set to fire up thousands of young people to be inspired about their futures.

Now in its second year, the event gives over 2,000 young people the chance to connect with and learn more about some of Surreyโ€™s brightest and best businesses and training providers.

The Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18 โ€“ whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.

The event has been organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS). Sponsorship is provided by consumer health company Haleon and highways services provider Ringway.

Due to overwhelming interest, regular registration is now closed, however the organisers are operating a waiting list for those who still wish to register.

Routes to work plus training and skills pathways

This free one-day careers event will be held at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford on Tuesday 15th October and will bring together over 80 exhibitors from a diverse range of industries, including household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren and London Gatwick Airport.

Organisations from more unexpected or specialist sectors will also be exhibiting on the day, representing areas as diverse as private detectives, cyber security, osteopathy and early years education.

All of Surreyโ€™s Further and higher education providers are exhibiting, along with a range of  independent training providers so that the young people attending can learn more about the  training and skills pathways available.

Public sector institutions will also be represented with the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue among those attending.

The organisers expect this diverse mix of exhibitors will provide information, guidance and inspiration for the whole range of young people attending, no matter what their interests and future career aspirations may be.

Cllr Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport & Economic Growth, said: “We expect this yearโ€™s Festival of Skills to build on the success of last yearโ€™s inaugural event in providing the young people of Surrey with the chance to meet and speak with major employers and educators, learn about what theyโ€™re looking for, and be inspired about their futures.โ€

Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway said: โ€œRingway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrow’s workforce. Ringway are proud to sponsor the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.”

Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: โ€œHaleon are proud to be sponsoring the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we are excited to be able to promote STEM careers and have the opportunity to give back to the community.โ€

For further information visit www.surreyfestivalofskills.co.uk.

Tim Oliver, (leader, Surrey CC), Dawn Redpath (Surrey CC), Jack Kennedy (Surrey CC), Richard Grainger (Business Leaders Forum) at the 2023 event.

Tandridge Business Awards winners announced

Published 10 October 2024

Events and awards

The winners of the inaugural Tandridge Business Awards have been announced at a glittering award ceremony at Lingfield Park Resort.

Launched in May 2024, the awards attracted over 120 entries showcasing the districtโ€™s businesses.ย The winners were drawn from an impressive array of high calibre entries with finalists announced in September.

The ceremony was compered by Sir Richard Stilgoe, founder of the Orpheus Centre in Godstone, a charity and college where young disabled people use the arts to prepare for independent living.

Business Surrey sponsored the event, along with a host of local organisations, including Ann Summers, East Surrey College, LoveOxted and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

A spokesman for Tandridge District Council said: “Our first Tandridge Business Awards received an incredible response, with over 120 applications showcasing the best of our districtโ€™s businesses.
ย 
“Well done to everyone who entered. The quality of applications was exceptionally high and our independent judges had a difficult task to select the winners.”

High Street Business of the Year

Business Surrey was proud to sponsor the High Street Business of the Year Award.

With Tandridge home to a several thriving towns and villages – such as Oxted, Caterham and Godstone – there were some strong entries to judge.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) joined the Business Surrey team in judging the award.

The three shortlisted businesses were:

The winner was The Lost Sheep, an independent gift and tea shop in Caterham.

Writing on her website, owner Sally said: “For many years I have wanted to open a tea shop and gift shop which serves the local community. When we finally opened the shop in November 2019 it was the start of a dream being fulfilled. I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support from my family and friends.”

Winners of the Tandridge Business Awards

The other winners of the 2024 Tandridge Business Awards are:

For a full list of shortlisted businesses visit the Tandridge Business Awards web page.

Four people - two men and two women - in formal evening dress pose for a picture in front of promotional banners for the Tandridge Business Awards.
Two women in formal evening wear pose for a picture while sat down at a round table. They are sat in an awards ceremony.
A man in a black suit stands up next to a round table, which is full of people in evening wear. They are at an awards ceremony.

Events Roundup – October 2024

Published 30 September 2024

Events and awards

There’s always a huge number of engaging and educational business events taking place across the County and October is no exception – there are far too many to mention here, so be sure to check out the full list on our events page.

This month sees a range of online and in-person business events covering topics as diverse as Keeping your business safe from Cybercrime (Mole Valley Chamber, 16 October), to Unlocking funding opportunities for SMEs (Business Surrey seminar, 23 October), and Breaking down barriers to access and inclusion for those affected by sight and hearing disabilities (Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, 16 October). And of course, October sees the annual Surrey Festival of Skills, plus the longest running business show in Surrey, Woking Means Business, taking place.

Breakfast events

If you’re a morning person there are plenty of in-person breakfast events to get your day off to a great start, including Epsom Business Club networking (2 October), Surrey Chambers networking breakfast (8 October), and Woking Means Business Breakfast Forum (9 October – before the business show), to name a few.

Online events

Get back more time in your day with online business events, so you can attend, learn and interact all while cutting out the travel time. October’s online events include Business Surrey’s own series of four free webinars covering all stages of the business lifecycle, (7-11 October), the Profit Acceleration workshop for business owners by Surrey Chambers (4 October), plus a webinar on transforming your team’s performance by using AI-powered Smart Agents (Surrey Chambers, 24 October).

Submit your own event

Don’t forget, our events directory is a great way to promote your own business events to a wider audience. If your organisation is hosting or sponsoring a business event in Surrey, you can submit it for inclusion in the directory by completing this simple form.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

a group of three women chat together at a business networking event

Surrey SME Business Awards 2024 winners announced

Published 17 September 2024

Events and awards

The winners of the Surrey SME Business Awards 2024 have been announced at a black tie ceremony event held in Shepperton.

The annual awards took place last week (11 September, 2024) and celebrated the best small and medium sized enterprises of 250 employees or less in the county.

Winners were announced in a total of 21 categories. And they all championed the people and businesses promoting innovation and growth in our region.

Business Surrey was a sponsor of the two categories – Best New Business and Sustainability Award. Read on to discover more about Surrey SMEs that won these categories.

To view a full list of winners, visit the awards website.

Sustainability Award – Surrey SME Business Awards 2024

William Wilsnagh, one of our expert business growth advisors, announced the winner of the sustainability award to Pinksheep. The company is a pioneer in sustainable merchandise.

Every product is graded on its sustainability credentials – meaning customers can make informed buying decisions.

Every pound spent with Pinksheep goes towards environmental initiatives. To date it has planted 91,039 trees, offset 5,686 tonnes of CO2, and recovered 2,317,463 plastic bottles.

Pinksheep has also developed Ora, a groundbreaking platform designed to help brands make eco-friendly choices.

Best New Business – Surrey SME Business Awards 2024

The winner of the Best New Business awards was EARLEY+DAUGHTERS.

This one woman candle making operation based in Haslemere started trading in March 2020 as the UK went into lockdown. It officially launched two years later.

As founder Katy writes on her website: “All EARLEY+DAUGHTERS candles are made by me, by hand, from start to finish. They are poured in incredibly small batches ensuring the quality is second to none – and also that there is no waste. Every minute spent blending, pouring, labelling and packaging each one is an absolute joy.”

Everyone at Business Surrey wants to say a big well done to all the winners and shortlisted businesses.

To read more about the awards, visit the awardsย website.

Free support for Surrey SMEs

Business Surrey offers free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.

We are also hosting a series of free webinars this autumn designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The sessions are taking place from October 7 to 11. Register today and discover more via the links below.

A group of people in formal wear celebrate winning an award. They stand in front of a branded backdrop smiling at a camera.