THE winners of the 2024 Somerset Business Awards were announced at a glittering gala dinner and presentation at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on Friday (March 22).

Nearly 400 business people from across Somerset attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Global and Heart FM broadcast journalist, Cormac MacMahon.

This year was the 19th anniversary of the awards and Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Emma Rawlings, said the quality of entries had again been incredible and thanked everyone who had supported the awards.

She said: "We have some amazing businesses in Somerset and it was fantastic to be able to honour just some of their achievements.

"We know many have faced some extremely challenging trading conditions again this last 12 months, so it was encouraging to hear about the successes of our finalists and winners and to be able to help them celebrate through the awards."

Albert Goodman was again the main sponsor of the awards, with winners coming from Bridgwater, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Midsomer Norton, Frome, Yeovil, Highbridge and Curry Rivel.

The Somerset Business Awards 2024 media sponsors were Newsquest and the Somerset County Gazette Series and Global.

Michael Cahill, a Partner at Albert Goodman, said: "This is our fourteenth year as main sponsor and we have seen some excellent businesses enter the awards and then go on to even greater things.

"The awards are a fantastic celebration of the very best of Somerset business and entering helps to boost your profile, boost staff morale and ultimately boost your business."

The 2024 winners are:

Small Business of the Year (turnover up to £0.5 million) sponsored by Gather Technology Ltd

Talking Stick Digital, Bridgwater

Runners-up: ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott and Little Kickers (North and Mid Somerset), Weston-super-Mare

Medium Business of the Year (turnover up to £6 million) sponsored by Higos Insurance Services

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Runners-up: Filbert's Fine Foods Ltd, West Pennard and Netitude Ltd, Frome

Large Business of the Year (turnover over £6 million) sponsored by Stephens Scown

Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater

Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and Synertec, Wellington

Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award

Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Runners-up: Mark One Consultants, Yeovil and Summerfield Developments, Taunton

Best Use of Digital Technology Award sponsored by Teapot Creative

Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton

Runners-up: Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury and Mark One Consultants, Yeovil

Charity of the Year Award sponsored by Clarke Willmott

SWALLOW Charity, Midsomer Norton

Runners-up: bibic, Langport and It's in the Bag Cancer Support, North Somerset

Employer of the Year sponsored by Blossom HR

Netitude Ltd, Frome

Runners-up: Poolbridge Accountancy Limited, Highbridge and Singer Instruments, Roadwater

Investing in Somerset Award sponsored by Hinkley Point C

Battens Solicitors, Yeovil

Runners-up: Bridgwater & Taunton College, Bridgwater and The Ascot Group, Weston-super-Mare

Start-up of the Year Award sponsored by Westcotts

Wessex Pop-Up Coldrooms Ltd, Curry Rivel

Runners-up: Milton and Chambers, Wellington and Our Precious Earth, Minehead

Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by Weston College

Poolbridge Accountancy Limited – Chloe Smith, Highbridge

Runners-up: SBA CIC – Natasha Margetts, Langport and Turnbull Infrastructure and Utilities – Ryan Jones, Bridgwater

Environmental and Sustainability Award sponsored by Gravity

Lendology CIC, Taunton

Runners-up: Cookswood Development – Lomax Design and Build, Stoke St Michael and Zebra EM, Taunton

Service Excellence Award sponsored by Porter Dodson

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and West Country Drainage Services Ltd, Burrowbridge

Manufacturing and Engineering Award sponsored by Leonardo UK

Electrified Automation, Bridgwater

Runners-up: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and Teklagraf Ltd, Weston-super-Mare

Business Resilience and Growth Award sponsored by Barclays UK

Family Adventures Group, Bridgwater

Runners-up: ARK at Egwood CIC, Merriott and Purplex Marketing, Weston-super-Mare

Image: Sarah Green (right) Marston Foods Frome and Beverley Craney of SWALLOW Charity, image Somerset Business Awards