Hampshire Chronicle: WBEA_banner

THIS week the spotlight shines on two more sponsors of the Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2012. The closing date for entries is Friday, March 9. For more information, visit www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/wbea

Hampshire Chronicle: Hampshire_County_Council Hampshire County Council Rural Business of the Year

Hampshire County Council provides a range of business support services and delivers on key projects which help to support the Hampshire economy.

Key business and economic initiatives, including the Hampshire Ambassadors, Hampshire Business Directory, Smarter Working Centres and Invest in Hampshire, encourage growth and competitiveness which are both vital to a prosperous economy.

Hampshire is a predominantly rural county so Hampshire County Council leads on a number of initiatives and programmes designed to support our rural economy.

Work includes maintaining the vitality of towns and villages through the Hampshire Market Town Project, Shop in Hampshire and the Village Community Grant Scheme, encouraging the development of the local food supply chain through Hampshire Fare, and ensuring that rural areas have access to broadband.

Cllr Raymond Ellis, Hampshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to once again be a supporter of the Winchester Business Excellence Awards, particularly in its milestone tenth year. The rural sector is vital for the Hampshire economy, over 85 per cent of the county is rural and there is a myriad of successful rural businesses operating in the Winchester area.

The Rural Business of the Year Award gives well-deserved recognition to those which are excelling.”

This award will be presented to an outstanding business that balances competitiveness with a responsibility to the local environment and community. The judges will be looking for a rural business:

  • which can demonstrate sound financial and business planning

  • which can show its flexibility and success in overcoming the challenges of working in a rural environment

  • balances the need to be competitive with a responsibility to the local environment.


  • Hampshire Chronicle: Mawson_logo
    Mawson & Co Service Excellence Award

    Mawson & Company established in 1994 in Winchester, now with 35 staff, is an independent business connecting hair styling and beauty therapy, wellbeing and the environment with a passion for service excellence.

    After winning the Service Excellence category in 2004 it was thought sponsoring the award may help to raise more general awareness of service issues.

    The Winchester Business Awards and the Service Excellence Award will raise these issues and help to attract more discerning customers to the whole city, setting it apart with strong points of difference.

    Warm, welcoming, quality service is the foundation on which Mawson & Company thrives.

    Mawson & Company offers a range of products and services from haircutting and colouring to beauty therapy for both men and women. All performed in a beautifully understated salon. The perfect place to seek out Aveda's unique range of naturally derived products, for personal use, or as a special gift.

    Tony Mawson, owner, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this category again for the Winchester Business Excellence awards. The power of good customer service should never be underestimated – it’s the lynchpin of any business and can make or break it!

    “Mawson & Company prides itself on offering impeccable service to its clients and feels that companies who work hard to exceed customer expectations deserve to be encouraged and recognised.”

    This award will be made to an organisation making effective use of customer service initiatives to deliver business plan objectives and demonstrating improved business performance as a result.

    Companies shortlisted will be assessed by a mystery shopper during judging.

    The judges will be looking for a company which can:

    • demonstrate success in achieving service excellence through the delivery of customer service initiatives

    • show it is improving customer service orientation of staff through training and development

    • demonstrate a clear relationship between customer service and improved business performance.