THE third year of the SME National Business Awards once again provided an excellent platform from which to raise the profile of industrious, hardworking and enterprising SMEs nationally. The awards are a sought-after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business which offers exceptional marketing and PR opportunities as well as increasing credibility and standing in the eyes of peers and customers. At this year’s ceremony, at Wembley Stadium in December, three Northamptonshire businesses left with Gold Awards…
Parm Bhangal
Bhangals Construction Consultants
Gold Award – Young Entrepreneur of the Year
PARM was recognised by judges for ‘demonstrating a high degree of entrepreneurship, creativity and vision for the future’ and being a person of ‘significant influence in a business that has set and achieved objectives within its business plans and established a position of sustainable profitability and success’.
As well as the Gold Award in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category he also received the Bronze Award in the Business Person of the Year category.
Parm has created three successful businesses in the last nine years – Bhangals Construction Consultants, estimating firm My Build Estimate and Azadi Properties, which manages his property portfolio.
Parm said; “I am absolutely thrilled to have received the Gold Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the National SME Business Awards 2019. To also receive the Bronze award for Business Person of the Year, is just amazing.
“I love what I do and to be recognised for this on a national level, at an iconic venue like Wembley Stadium has blown me away to be honest.”
These latest awards round off an amazing year for Parm and his businesses and take their total awards haul for the year up to eight, including:
* Small Business of the Year at the Northamptonshire Chamber Awards for Bhangals Construction Consultants
*Quantity Surveyors of the Year at the National Building Awards for Bhangals Construction Consultants
* High Growth Business of the Year at the Northamptonshire SME Awards for My Build Estimate
The Apothocoffee Shop
Jeyes of Earls Barton
Gold Award – Coffee Shop of the Year
THE Apothocoffee Shop at Jeyes of Earls Barton is part of a unique family business that brings together food and drink, shopping, local history and fascinating museums.
Run by the Jeyes family, who ran the chemists in Earls Barton for many years, the Market Square building is now something of a tourist attraction, particularly its award-winning Apothocoffee Shop.
Anna Jeyes said: “Way back in the summer we were trilled to hear that The Apothocoffee Shop had been nominated for Coffee Shop of the Year in the SME National Business Awards 2019. A public vote was the next step to the Grand Final, and thanks to our customers, we made it!
“We prepared a presentation pack to tell judges in just 500 words why we are different. A timeline of 28 years described the story of The Apothocoffee Shop, evolving from a cosy coffee shop headed by Nan within Jeyes Chemist, to its current home in the old NatWest Bank, the conservatory, a walled garden and Jeyelatos.
“So, we found ourselves at Wembley Stadium, at a VIP drinks reception, sipping champagne and waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“The Coffee Shop of the Year, sponsored by The Diana Award, a charity legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales supporting young people and there were shrieks of delight when it came to announcing the winner and we heard our name.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their continued support – friends old and new, customers, suppliers and our wonderful team, who could not make the ceremony, but kept the shop open in our absence.”
Reemesh Patel
M&M Family Investments
Gold Award – Entrepreneur of the Year
M & M Family investments is a private family office and operates in a variety of industries including property, retail, professional services and not-for-profit sectors.
M&M Family Investments also invests in companies for equity, backed by a strong and loyal workforce, and runs some very successful businesses within the county.
Reemesh Patel said: “To be named the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year category and finalist in the Business Person of the Year on a national scale is totally unexpected and humbling given the calibre of entrants.
“Adding these accolades to those already picked up in the same categories at the SME Northamptonshire awards 2019 and at the National Best New Business 2019 is truly remarkable and testament to what our businesses stand for.
“Those that know me, know I shy away from the limelight. Winning this award however means so much to me and my family for many reasons. I would like to dedicate this win to some very special people in my life; my father Vin and late uncle Pete. Both acted as role models and mentors in shaping my career and guiding me.
“I would also like to thank my wife Sayjal and children Shiv (6) and Krish (3) for giving me the inspiration on a daily basis to succeed and also my mother for demonstrating that with a tireless work ethic, anything is possible.
“I would like to also acknowledge the teams within each of our businesses who work tirelessly in their duties and for believing in our visions. I am humbled and very thankful for the acknowledgement and am very excited about the lasting legacy we are creating. “