Battle for honours

hree very different businesses will be vying for the honour of being named the GROWING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR at this year’s Havering Business awards.

It will be one of 13 prestigious awards handed out at the ceremony held at CEME in Rainham, on Friday October 7. The Growing Business of the Year category is sponsored by Haines Watts.

Upminster-based law firm Pinney Talfourd has enjoyed a year of significant growth. “Over the last 12 months we’ve recruited five extra lawyers, opened another office in Leigh-on-Sea, and our Brentwood branch have moved into a new office that is now up to the standard of our Upminster office,” said Victoria Bunn the firm’s Marketing Manager. The firm now employs 40 lawyers and a total of more than 70 staff. Philip Cockram, Managing Partner, added: “Although our firm has grown considerably over the years, we have always tried to maintain our personal approach and I am very proud of all that we have achieved so far on our journey.”

Managing Partner at Pinney Talfourd Philip Cockram

Ardleigh Green is a discount cleaning and janitorial products supplier based in Hornchurch. They’ve doubled their number of employees over the last year, grown their customer base by 19%, boosted their revenue by more than 13% and lifted their profits. Rebecca Johnson the firm’s Office and Marketing Manager said: “It’s been a very exciting and successful year for us. We’ve added a dedicated engineer and a delivery driver to our team.” Keith Edwards, Company Director said: “Our business growth is simply down to listening to our customer’s needs, adapting ourselves to accommodate the customers’ needs, promoting products that do the job they are intended to do and ultimately saving customers money.”

Rebecca Johnson and Keith Edwards at Ardleigh Green

Stubbers Adventure Centre in Ockendon Road Upminster is the third finalist. The business is a private not for profit company and a registered charity that first opened in April 1996. Bob Edwards, Centre Manager said: “Stubbers Adventure Centre has grown steadily over the years and we now have over 51,000 visits each year by adventurers of all ages and our holiday activity days have increased by 39% over the last 12 months requiring an additional eight play leaders and instructors. We now have the widest range of adventure activities in the South East, and possibly the UK, and by providing additional activity areas we have increased our business capacity by 100 adventurers a day. The success of Stubbers has been assured by the commitment of its staff and by the wonderful support of the groups and families that enjoy the site.  It would be a fitting end to this our 20th anniversary year if we were to win this award.”

Bob Edwards of Stubbers

Tickets for the glittering awards night at CEME on Friday October 7 are available at www.haveringbusinessawards.co.uk