KENTAWARDS
AWARDS GALORE FOR KENT
The Kent Women in Business Awards ( KWIBA ) 2022
GROWTH AWARDS ( L-R ) HILARY STEEL , DEBORAH RICHARDS – MADDISONS RESIDENTIAL , insideKENT ’ S SAMANTHA READY , AND NICOLA MAYNARD – LORDSWOOD DANCENTRE
Launched by organisers Hilary Steel and Sue Smith in 2013 , this year ’ s 10th annual KWIBA in March was a glamorous affair recognising the triumphs , determination and success of Kent ’ s leading business women .
An inspiring focal point on the business calendar , the event brought together many of Kent ’ s most successful female professionals who were finalists in categories including New Business , Mumprenuer of the Year , Creative Business of the Year , Growth , and Leadership & Management , alongside two prestigious Business Woman of the Year awards .
Judged by an independent panel , the winners and runners up in twenty different categories included insideKENT ’ s editor Samatha Ready , who claimed runner up in the Growth category ; recognising the continuing success and growth of independentlyowned , family-run Sideways Media , which despite the panic has launched SidewaysPR , expanded the Sideways Media team , and has continued to grow insideKENT magazine ; in terms of size , content and reach .
Commenting on the awards , organiser and host Hilary Steel , host said : “ to host such an event and to be on that stage where you can hear a pin drop as people eagerly await the results is a highlight of my own career . Over the past nine years so much has changed in the world of business and I am proud to be part of this change .”
Standout winners at the event included Gillian Huntley who triumphed in New Business of the Year and the Innovation categories for her skin-cancer focused company Elite Probes ; and Nicola Maynard , who claimed runner-up in the Growth category and was named overall Business Woman of Year ( under 5-years ) in recognition of her extraordinary success . In the face of redundancy , and mid-pandemic , Nicola not only purchased and renovated a building to secure the permanent home of Lordswood Dance Centre , facilitating community dance and arts development for children and adults , she also launched Tea for Tutu an onsite cafè which has turned into the hub of the local community .
A full list of winners can be found at kwibawards . co . uk / 2022-results .
Finalists Announced for Taste of Kent Awards ( TOKA ) 2022
Produced in Kent have announced the finalists for this year ’ s Taste of Kent Awards , which celebrates the stars of Kent ’ s food and drink scene .
Following a flurry of over 30,000 public votes , finalists have been announced in twenty categories . Will Devlin ’ s The Small Holding is up for Restaurant of the Year alongside The Bao Baron , Folkestone and The Waterfront in Hythe ; while The Butchers Block will be hoping for yet further TOKA accolade in the Dining Pub of the Year category where it is finalist alongside The BlackHorse Inn , Thurnham , and Stowting ’ s The Tiger Inn . Alongside the categories which recognise produce , retail and farming , diversification is also celebrated with Buoy & Oyster , Wild Box and Reuthes storming into the final three .
Tickets for the awards ceremony on Thursay 12 May are on sale now , with the full list of finalists available at tasteofkentawards . co . uk / finalists .
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