Earlier this month Business Surrey held the latest in its series of complimentary workshops for Surrey businesses in partnership with Tandridge District Council and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. This particular growth-focused event, was created in response to business feedback and support requests received by the Surrey Growth Hub.

The workshop was delivered by Business Surrey Specialist Advisor Roya Croudace, a skilled Commercial Director, Founder, and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of expertise in driving business growth.

Roya kicked off the event by busting the myth that winning more customers is all about cold calling and hard selling. Roya then shared her proven sales growth strategies based on developing a strong understanding of your market and building relationships with your customers.

The workshop included a section on what a Value Proposition is, why your business needs to have one, and how to develop your own. Roya also shared strategies and tips for gaining and retaining customers, tips on lead generation, and the art of negotiation and closing.

Roya finished with a helpful section on using AI and digital tools to streamline and support sales and other business processes.

Positive feedback

Workshop attendees were highly engaged throughout, both asking questions and sharing their own experiences. Roya remarked, “It was inspiring to see so many passionate business owners come together, eager to enhance their skills and drive their businesses forward.

“The engagement in the room was outstanding, and the valuable insights shared—both from myself and the attendees—truly highlighted the power of collaboration and learning together.

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our fantastic partners for helping make this event such a success. Here’s to continued growth and success for all!”

Attendees were equally pleased with the growth-focused event experience, with one remarking, “It was a great workshop and good to see that businesses are being supported.”

And another noting, “Thank you for the continuous support from Business Surrey. I’ve signed up for the newsletter to stay informed about future events and services.”

Support for Surrey businesses

We deliver a program of regular webinars and workshops offering insights and guidance on topics of value to Surrey SMEs. Our workshops and webinars are always free to join, and there are no limits on the number of attendees from a single organisation.

If you would like to be kept informed of upcoming events please join our email newsletter  or follow us on LinkedIn.

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. 

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.

Get free support for your business

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• Getting free support to grow your business via our Business Support Form.
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• Searching more than 120 different local, regional and national support schemes in our service directory.

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:

• Chimney Fire Coffee
• Diamond Logistics
• Something Big
• Invuse
• Hemisphere Freight Services

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

Support for Surrey businesses

Our team of experts are available to provide tailored advice to help your business 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.

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 district’s businesses. 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 district’s businesses.
 
“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:

• M and L Hair Design
• Styled Right
• The Lost Sheep

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:

• Colour House interiors – Small Business of the Year Award (less than 10 Employees)
• The Orpheus Centre – Business of the Year Award (more than 10 Employees)
• Morr and Co – Employer of the Year
• KD Jones Heating Engineers Ltd – Rising Star of the Year
• Godstone Farm Ltd – Customer Service Award
• Paradigm 24 Ltd – Sustainability Award
• Accessify – Community Service Provider Award
• The King and Queen– Hospitality Award

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

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 awards 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.

• From Idea to Minimum Viable Product
• Finance and Funding Strategies
• Mastering Marketing and Communications
• HR Essentials: Making Your First Hire

Entries for the Tandridge Business Awards 2024 are now being accepted. It is the first time ever the district is holding the event, which will celebrate the diverse range of businesses in the area.

Tandridge District Council is behind the event and promises it will be a standout occasion, offering your business a fantastic opportunity to shine, raise your profile and celebrate with Tandridge’s business community.

Entries for a range of categories are now being accepted. Independent judges will evaluate entries with finalists announced on Monday 2 September before the event in October at Lingfield Park.

Tandridge Business Awards 2024 – Categories

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to impress a leading panel of judges, gaining recognition for your achievements and stand out from the competition. The following categories are open to businesses in the district, no matter whether you are an established business or a budding start-up.

You can enter up to three categories:

• Small Business of the Year (less than 10 employees) – sponsored by Champ Consultants.
• Business of the Year (more than 10 employees) – sponsored by East Surrey College.
• Employer of the Year – sponsored by My Club.
• Rising Star of the Year – sponsored by North Downs Hospital, Caterham.
• Customer Service Award – sponsored by LoveOxted
• Sustainability Award
• Community Service Provider Award – sponsored by Ann Summers.
• High Street Business Award
• Hospitality Award

Tandridge Business Awards 2024 – how to enter

The awards are free to enter for all businesses with a trading address in the Tandridge District.

Please submit a new application form for each category you want to enter. You can enter up to three categories.

Enter by 11.59pm on Sunday 4 August.

Independent judges will evaluate entries with finalists announced on Monday 2 September.

Preparing your entry

The team behind the Tandridge Business Awards 2024 have provided an Entry Preparation worksheet, to help you prepare your application in advance. This will allow you time to draft a response as well as research and gather evidence so you can quickly and easily complete your online entry form.

Training sessions

You can also join one of our training sessions, online or in person to maximise your chance of success. These are on:

• Thursday 30 May: 12pm-2pm, online using Microsoft Teams, or come to the Council Offices, Oxted. Please arrive at 11.30am for a 12pm start.  
• Monday 1 July: 6pm-8pm, online using Microsoft Teams, or come to the Council Offices, Oxted. Please arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.    

The Council Offices are at 8 Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0BT. Book your place by contacting the awards team. 

Tandridge Business Awards 2024 ceremony

Save the date! Winners will be announced at our black tie Tandridge Business Awards ceremony on Thursday 3 October at the Lingfield Park Resort.

All finalists must be able to attend the award ceremony. We are also extending the invitation to businesses in the district.

The ceremony, hosted by Richard Stillgoe includes a three course meal and welcome drink and a fantastic lineup of entertainment.

More details about the ceremony will be shared soon, including how to purchase tickets.

Interested in sponsoring an award category?

If you or your business would like the opportunity to provide sponsorship in return for marketing and PR do get in touch. Contact the Tandridge District Council Business Support Team.

Sponsors can still enter the awards, except for the category they are sponsoring. 

Any surplus sponsorship not used to cover the cost of the event will be shared among the Tandridge Chairman’s charities.

Key dates

• Thursday 30 May: Training session (online / in person).  
• Monday 1 July: Training session (online / in person).  
• Sunday 4 August: Entry deadline is at 11.59pm
• Monday 2 September: Finalists announced.
• Thursday 3 October: Awards ceremony from 7pm at Lingfield Park Resort. 

Other Surrey Business Awards

Looking to celebrate your business achievements but not based in Tandridge?

There are a range of other awards events taking place across Surrey this year, including the Surrey Business Awards and SME Surrey Business Awards.