ANOTHER big boost this week for the Times Business Awards with the news that Berkeley Homes, one of the leading builders in the South East, has signed up to be the headline sponsor of the flagship event.
“This is a real endorsement of the quality and standing of our annual awards and we are delighted to welcome Berkeley aboard,” said Times Editor Richard Moore.
“It yet again highlights the way that, over the years, the awards ceremony has grown to become not just a great networking event, but also a gala dinner that recognises the excellence of the many local businesses that help make Tunbridge Wells tick.”
Following a two-year Covid-driven hiatus, last year’s awards saw businesses and organisations return in numbers, to re-establish their brands and rediscover the benefits of meeting others face to face. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Peter Smith, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes Southern Counties, said: “Berkeley Homes are delighted to sponsor the prestigious Times Business Awards ceremony which also happens to be a major social and networking event for Tunbridge Wells.
“As a local business providing much needed homes and placemaking communities throughout the borough, we are pleased to support the wider business communities at this event.”
Berkeley Homes’ two developments in the area are Hollyfields in Tunbridge Wells and Foal Hurst Green in Paddock Wood.
The Times Business Awards were launched in 2016, with former minister Edwina Currie at the podium, handing out the prizes.
At the time, she told this newspaper: “Business people in Tunbridge Wells should be very proud of what they are doing.”
She added: “Business involves risk and sometimes you win some and you lose some. Sometimes that’s through bad luck, incompetence or bad practice.
“But most people running their own companies are absolutely doing their best. We have a long history in this country of being a trading nation and we should be proud of that. We should be encouraging our brightest young people to take the plunge.”
A local awards ceremony would be a ‘great way to showcase and celebrate all that is good in local business talent in a county that leads the way in Britain,” she added.
Since then, there have been a further five Times Business Awards events, with a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Categories have changed, and celebrity hosts have changed, from former politicians such as Michael Portillo, to broadcasters and other famous names such as Anton du Beke, Ken Bruce and Eamonn Holmes.
This year, radio personality Nick Ferrari will take to the podium on March 30 to help recognise achievement in ten categories.
