BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR ACCOLADE GOES TO EASTBOURNE

An Eastbourne businessman was crowned Sussex Businessperson of the Year at the 23rd Sussex Business Awards ceremony, held at the Grand Hotel in Brighton last week [Thursday 1st December].

Club Class Chauffeurs was also highly commended in the Best Employer and Best Customer Service at Sussex Business Awards.

Jonathan Dow, managing director of corporate chauffeur company Club Class Chauffeurs, was delighted to accept the accolade at the awards presentation. Commenting on the success of Club Class Chauffeurs and his win, Jonathan Dow said, “I am tremendously honoured to be awarded Sussex Businessperson of the Year. Thanks go to my fantastic team at Club Class Chauffeurs and also to the judges involved in the Awards scheme. It certainly is a great way to round-off the year.”

Club Class Chauffeur’s achievements at the Sussex Business Awards add to the honours already received by the company earlier this year at the Eastbourne Business Awards, where it won the award for Employer of the Year. Its insurance brokerage arm, Club Class Insurance, was also highly commended in the Service and Support Company of the Year category.

For more information on Club Class Chauffeurs visit www.clubclassonline.co.uk or telephone 01323 442222

posted January 2012

Stone Cross Nurseries

Stone Cross Nurseries was first established in 1956 by
Garth and Julie Winwood near the seaside town of
Pevensey. The business has always worked hard
within the local community and is now the social hub
in the East Sussex area, with the nursery playing an
active part in engaging with local people and schools.
The business, which is now run by son Garry
Winwood and his wife Mandy, prides itself on being
the best plant and garden centre in the south of
England and offers the widest range of plants for
gardens in and around the Eastbourne region. The
on-site Plant Centre sells mainly own-grown
produce from the company’s nearby production site,
Peelings Nurseries (Saxon Plants) in Hankham,
where they grow over 300,000 each year.
Garry is keen that Stone Cross be involved in
local village life. The nursery has its own events
field on the main site where they have held village
fayres and fêtes to raise money for the People
Matter charitable trust, an organisation that was
established by local Christians to provide quality
information, advice, guidance and practical help
to job seekers in and around Eastbourne. 

School visits are fun for both children and garden centre staff

posted November 2011  (published by HTA news)
 

W Bruford Ltd

Local jewellers celebrates 125 years

Family-run local business, W.Bruford, has achieved a remarkable milestone this year
as it celebrates its 125th Anniversary. The local jewellers, who prides itself on its high
quality jewellery and watches and excellent customer service, hosted a celebratory
event for clients at the East Sussex National Golf Resort in July.
Owner of W.Bruford, Ashley Pugh, said: “Our customers expect, and deserve, a level
of service that is rare on the high street today, and our whole business is geared
towards delivering a more ‘traditional’ retailing experience. While the business may
be 125 years old, as a local company we have not stood still.
“With the launch of Inspired by Brufords in Eastbourne and Brighton, and a
forthcoming website to give our Inspired shops an online retail presence worldwide,
this is a truly great achievement, in one of the toughest retail climates for 30 years.”
W.Bruford is an example of a local business success story and has an impressive
history to go with it. In 1886, Mr William Bruford, jeweller and expert horologist,
opened the doors to W Bruford & Sons. Located at 100 Terminus Road, the small,
family-run business started off selling jewellery, watches and plates.
Over time, the company’s reputation grew, and the premises expanded until the
Second World War, when one of Hitler’s bombs demolished the premises with a
direct hit! Not to be beaten, the Bruford family rebuilt W.Bruford adding a new
extension, and continued offering the high quality products and service for which it’s
renowned. In the early 1980’s W.Bruford relocated to the Cornfield Road site, where
you will find it today.

posted September 2011

Badger Inks Ltd

Wins “Business of the Year 2011”
Business Excellence Celebrated

Newhaven Chamber of Commerce recently held an awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise the stars of local business with the “Seahaven Business Awards.”

Paul Boswell, President Newhaven Chamber of Commerce said “This was an opportunity to highlight the best in our business community, to reward those businesses who excel in their field and achieve great success in these hard times”.
MD Alasdair Fortune is “absolutely ecstatic and honoured to have won the award, especially as we were up against long established local businesses”. Not only did Badger Inks clinch the main award, they were also presented 3rd place for “Retailer of the Year”.
Since the company started back in May 2009, we have worked hard to offer a wide range of both compatible and original ink and toner cartridges. Our main market is currently online selling channels such as eBay, Amazon and our website (www.badgerinks.co.uk) but we are working hard to reach the local market as many local people don’t know we exist!

McCrudden Training Ltd

Local training programme receives national recognition

 
A training partnership between Eastbourne-based McCrudden Training Ltd and East Sussex
Primary care Trust has been shortlisted for a national training award in the 2011 Training Journal
Awards 2011.
Following a merger of NHS organisations, McCrudden Training was commissioned by East Sussex
PCT’s Learning and Development teams to design and deliver a leadership programme for local
NHS staff. Learning and development managers wanted a programme to develop one united
approach to leadership after bringing together four different NHS Trusts. The programme designed
by McCrudden Training did just that. It included four sessions each with a different focus. Staff
attending the programme learnt about a wide range of topics including the national strategic
context of the NHS, a range of leadership styles and their uses and how best to support,
communicate with and develop their teams.
Over the last two years, McCrudden Training has trained nearly 100 front line NHS staff from
physiotherapists and district nurses to commissioning staff. The programme itself steadily gained
critical acclaim among staff, and contributed to savings in the Trusts by increasing staff retention
and ensuring that staff were well equipped to support the staff they manage.
Podiatry Manager Adam Cooper-Lloyd was one of the staff who attended the programme, said “the
training took me out of my comfort zone a few times, and was challenging but gave me a great
confidence boost”
The local team is one of six shortlisted candidates in its category, alongside national names such
as HSBC Bank Plc, Halifax with Middlesex University and Elior UK with United Coffee and
Twinings Tea
For further information about the partnership, call Nicky McCrudden on 0845 257 5871

posted September 2011

EcoDox

California Dreaming 

EcoDox, the Eastbourne-based document, management software provider, has acquired a US
company based in California.
EcoDox specialises in providing cloud-based and On-Premise document management solutions
to small businesses and corporate companies. From its Eastbourne base, EcoDox supports
companies throughout the UK and now will be burning the midnight oil supporting the US!
EcoDox’s CEO, Richard Lewthwaite said, “we have been looking at how to prepare the
company for when we move out of recession. Besides investing in cloud-based technology, we
decided to expand into the USA where the market is quite substantial for our software and
businesses are already benefiting from the cost-savings and increased profits that cloud
technology can bring.”
The company’s leap of faith into the US market has already been proven with its first substantial
order from a US healthcare group and further orders in the pipeline.
Chamber Chief Executive Ray Mason said - “As part of the ‘Digital Eastbourne’ strategy the
Chamber is keen to promote the understanding and take up of cloud technology throughout the
local economy. When coupled with high-speed broadband services the potential to revolutionize
Eastbourne’s economic performance is huge. We’re therefore delighted to see EcoDox position
itself at the forefront of the cloud services market with its latest acquisition and we’re sure
EcoDox will reap the rewards of its forward thinking.”
EcoDox is currently working with several local companies to increase the uptake of cloud based
technology in Eastbourne and several exciting initiatives are being planned.
The next major decision, where to live, Eastbourne or Newport Beach? Eastbourne of course!
For further information about the services EcoDox can provide for your business, please call the
team on 01323 700 007.

posted September 2011

Natural Fitness Centre

Happy 10th Birthday to the Natural Fitness Centre

It was party time at the Natural Fitness Centre in August as it celebrated its10th Anniversary
Birthday celebration saw guests take to the dance floor in the yoga studio to mark this
business success. More than 70 staff members and clients joined together to eat, drink and
socialise in surroundings that are normally reserved for more serene activities.
Director Alison Brown commented “I cannot believe how quickly the 10 years have flown by.
What started out as the dream of a little side-line became a fully fledged business with over
1,200 clients visiting each month for exercise classes, therapies and professional health
advice”.
Many Eastbourne residents remember the Natural Fitness Centre building as the Sailing
club on Splash Point. The club had been running for two years when it was fully refurbished
to create a large studio overlooking the sea and five tranquil treatment rooms.
With nearly 40 staff the centre in now thriving and has a reputation for linking with other
health professionals in the town to support residents and visitors with back and joint care,
pain management and stress-related conditions.
The Natural Fitness Centre is holding a 10-day open house, starting on 10th October 2011
for workshops, talks, offers and much more.
For further information, call the Natural Fitness centre on 01323 732 024

posted September 2011

 CHALVINGTON COMMUNICATIONS

Chalvington Reach New Heights
A team of five from Hailsham based firm Chalvington Communications took on and completed one of the hardest physical and mental challenges of their lives – The Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Meningitis Trust.
Walkers Claire and Mel Baker, Julie Tindall, Steve Leonard and Amie Cook battled a wind and rain-soaked Snowden, a pitch-black Scafell Pike in a night climb that lasted from dusk till dawn, and a gruelling Ben Nevis complete with blizzard at the summit within the thirty six hour time limit to raise funds for the charity.
Reflecting on the event a few days later Managing Director Julie Tindall added; “after forty two hours with no sleep and approximately twenty three hours of walking, we are all surprisingly cheerful. Of course there are the usual aches and pains to get over, but having spent time with such a wonderful group of people, and had the chance to learn more about the exceptional work of this amazing charity we are simply thrilled to have been able to take part. Meningitis Trust took incredible care of us during our journey, and I would encourage others to check them out and see all the great activities they have to offer. We will definitely be back for more!”
So far the Chalvington for Charity Three Peaks Fund has raised around £3500 with the event as a whole expected to exceed £30,000 for the Trust.

(posted August 2011)

CLARKE ROOFING SOUTHERN LTD

WIN TWO HIGHEST AWARDS NATIONWIDE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY
AND TILING/SLATING CATEGORY

The NFRC 2011 awards took place in May at the Brighton Hilton Metropole.

Gold was awarded for the highest marks received Nationwide in Health and Safety showing commitment to all aspects of roofing and training within the company.
This follows a progression since 2004 winning bronze, silver and gold with the help and dedication of Ian Pickard of IDP safety.

Skilled Tilers Lloyd Clarke, Joshua Clarke and Mark Ince picked up the second Gold award for their project at ‘Sussex Cottage’ being told their work was outstanding and shone above all other entries. The project undertaken had many classical features including eyebrow and roundel for the team to overcome and they worked tirelessly for the perfect finish.

Grade II listed property ‘The Homestead’ was deservedly runners up in the Heritage Category. Judges commented to skilled tilers Karl Strudwick and Robert Sedgwick of their outstanding workmanship on this project.

Clarke Roofing have been winners since 1990 being awarded Top Craftsman, Commendations, Best Tiling, Sussex Business Awards, Certificates and Merits.

The company is committed to training young people with ‘old style apprenticeship’ to NVQ levels and is recognized and accredited as Investors in People, Trustmark and Chas in Health and Safety. Their client base includes Private Households, Building Contractors, National Trust, Schools and Diocese.

Directors Frank Clarke, Paul Strudwick and David Beer are extremely proud of the achievements their workforce continue to gain.

(posted August 2011)

SMOKESCREEN VISUALS OF EASTBOURNE

 Local video production company wins two prestigious IOV Awards

The IOV (Institute of Videography) recently announced the winners of their annual awards at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. The IOV Awards cover six key areas of video production, namely Best Corporate, Best Wedding Day Film, Best Documentary, Best Film, Best Music Video and Best Open - and are freely open to all IOV members.

Smokescreen Visuals of Eastbourne scooped two awards place in the Corporate & Open categories against extremely tough competition. With over 1,000 members throughout Europe, the IOV Awards has fast become the leading showcase of talent in professional videography and attracts sponsorship from the leading manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.

Their entries, Dreamcar hire and Sky news day at Eastbourne College, was one of only five short-listed titles within the Corporate and Open category – which is a significant achievement in itself. Judges were not only looking for exceptional video production standards, but also originality and creative flair which demonstrate the value to customers of commissioning a professional videographer.

Smokescreen is tremendously proud of their achievement in the IOV Awards and look forward to the additional exposure that IOV Award winners receive each year. IOV Administrator, Kevin Cook, commented on Smokescreen’s award, “The IOV Awards get tougher and tougher each year as the general standards in video production rise. To win an IOV Award is a significant accomplishment indeed. I’m really pleased for Matt and hope that this achievement will generate more commissions for Smokescreen in the coming year.”

(posted August 2011)

DUNCAN LAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Photographer Makes Light of Award
Photographer Duncan Lawson has scooped the national Lighting Design Photography Award in its inaugural year.

The glittering awards ceremony was held in March 2011 at The Hilton Hotel, London in front of 700 leading lighting designers, architects and lighting industry people.
The Eastbourne based photographer won with his stunning architectural photos of the Golden Jubilee Bridge, London, which was commissioned by structural engineers Gifford UK, and Steps at La Défense, Paris. The highly-respected judges said that there was ‘tough competition’ and ‘immense creativity’ within the entries. They particularly commended the “balance of natural and artificial light” in Duncan’s Golden Jubilee Bridge image and described the image of the Steps at La Défense as “very striking”.
The Photography Award was part of the prestigious annual Lighting Design Awards, featuring talented lighting designers and architects in various industry categories. Duncan said “I’m delighted to have won, particularly with it being the inaugural year of the Photography Award.”
Duncan’s business clients range from sole proprietors to large corporations, who use his photography skills as a vital ingredient in their sales and marketing materials. Commercial and industrial customers in East Sussex include Sea Space, Simply Italian restaurants, Stamco Timber and Bannatyne Hotels.
His website showcases the wide array of subjects he is skilled in photographing, ranging from architectural and interiors to products and corporate portraits. www.duncanlawson.co.uk
Duncan Lawson on 01323 460431 or email mail@duncanlawson.co.uk

Chamber Director climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro for BLESMA

 
Alison Rainer Jones, (Chamber Director) together with Deborah Hawkins has recently returned from Africa, where they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for BLESMA (British Limbless
Ex-Service Men’s Association). Debi is Joe Townsend’s mother: Joe lost both his legs on active service in Afghanistan. If anyone has sponsored Alison or would still like to sponsor her, please go to
http://www.justgiving.com/kilimanjaro-4-BLESMA

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