Phoenix-like rise to team award for firm

A COMPANY that came back to life 
after a devastating fire capped an amazing phoenix-like fightback by picking up one of the accolades at the Dacorum Business Excellence Awards.

The team from hydraulic and pneumatic connectors Hopespare, based on Maylands, Hemel Hempstead, showed unabated joy when they collected the Team of the Year Award at Ashlyns School, in Berkhamsted, on Friday.

A delighted Peter Willson, Hopespare’s managing director, said: “We’ve had to move in to new premises but everyone has stayed with us. We have risen like a phoenix and last month was our best ever.”

One of the commended companies for the team of the year award, Autorama, of Cow Roast, near Tring, scooped the Business of the Year Award. Their win was also accompanied by huge cheers.

Autorama, a commercial vehicle leasing company led by managing director Andy Alderson, collected the award from Councillor Stephen Holmes, the planning and regeneration spokesman of major event sponsor 
Dacorum Borough Council.

Mr Alderson said: “Winning this award is validation of what we are 
doing. We have a great team.”

Autorama, an internet-based business, employs 22 people in the area, up from four in just four years. In the last year its turnover has increased by an incredible 400 per cent.

As well as leasing vans and pick-up trucks, Autorama also deals in environmentally friendly, highly efficient, green cars.

The Green Business Award was won by United Kingdom Office Solutions (UKOS), of Maxted Close, Hemel Hempstead. The award capped a great year for UKOS after it was judged the best green company by a national newspaper.

The award judges – entrepreneur Cris Beswick, the Gazette’s deputy editor Wes Smith, Dacorum Borough Council’s Gerri Hamer and Tara Clark, and facilitator Tracey Schoales – gave their special award to family run Daisychain Jewellers, of Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead. Established in 2000 by Marc and Pamela Slipman, Daisychain now employs four people and is creating jobs and investment in the local economy.

Dacorum’s mayor, Cllr Roger Taylor, congratulated all the companies present for their efforts in tough times. “Everyone is a winner and we are very proud of you,” he said. “I would like to thank you for what you do and the success you generate.”

The packed Ashlyns School hall was kept in order by master of ceremonies Ray Stubbs, the football mainstay of sports satellite channel ESPN. England football legend Jimmy Greaves, the event’s main speaker, received a thunderous welcome from the audience and kept them chuckling with a string of adult-oriented jokes and football anecdotes.

More than £1,000 was raised on the night for Herts Air Ambulance.

The award winners, highly commended and commended companies in full:

> Green Business Award, sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council: United Kingdom Office Solutions (UKOS), Enterprise Way, Maxted Close, Hemel Hempstead. Highly commended: The Green House. Commended: Assi Transport (UK).

> Customer Care Excellence Award, sponsored by Lloyds TSB: SWR Ltd, Eastman, Hemel Hempstead. Highly commended: Foremans Relocatable Business Systems Limited. Commended: Serene Beauty & Day Spa, Daisychain Jewellers, Herts Wedding Cars, Law Abroad PLC.

> Design Award, sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council: Dandara, Station Road, Hemel Hempstead. Highly commended: Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association and EJ Waterhouse & Sons.

> Young Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by BP: Madison Coates. Highly commended: Lewis Preston and Claire Lynch.

> Business Person of the Year Award, sponsored by The Chamber and Kodak: Angela Douglas. Highly commended: Kerry Underwood. Commended: David Surrey, Grant Young and Philippa Bell.

> New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by NGK: NOW Design, 
Admiral Way, Berkhamsted. Highly commended: Daisychain Jewellers. Commended: Dundale Associates and 2 Be Beautiful.

> Community Business of the Year, sponsored by West Herts College: Journey Therapy. Highly commended: Grass Roots UK. Commended: Diverse HR Solutions, MITIE and D Furnell Plant Services (Furnell Transport).

> Team of the Year, sponsored by Premier Newspapers: Hopespare, McDonald Business Park, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead. Highly commended: Serene Beauty & Day Spa. Commended: Maylands Partnership, Coopers Estate Agents and Autorama.

> Business of the Year, sponsored by Dacorum Borough Council: Autorama, London Road, Cow Roast, near Tring. Highly commended: Profile Technology Services. Commended: Serene Beauty & Day Spa, Coopers Estate Agents, The Snow Centre.

> Judges’ Special Award: Daisychain Jewellers, St Johns Road, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead.