Celebrating Dacorum Borough’s Businesses

Dacorum Borough Council’s Business Heroes and Dacorum’s Den winners were recognised at a special awards ceremony at Little Hay Golf Club on Friday 19 July.

The 2019 Business Heroes – the companies who contribute the most to the community, their staff and the environment – were celebrated over afternoon tea.

Residents and businesses across the borough nominated their favourite companies who have made a positive impact on the lives of others – shaping the future of economic growth in Dacorum.

The Dacorum Business Heroes were presented with their awards by representatives from the sponsors, OSD Healthcare, Hemel BID, Marlowes Shopping Centre and My Mustard.

The winners were:

• Retail Hero – Number Twenty
• Employment Hero – Indigo Tree
• Skills Hero – D-Lab CIC
• Business2Business Hero – Tring Together
• Environment Hero – Tring Brewery
• Business in the Community Hero – David Evans MBE, Grass Roots and the Future Proof Enterprise Group

The overall Business of the Year went to D-Lab for their dedication to training, the environment and the local community.

Hemel Trophies and Jewellers provided the glass trophies presented to the winners.

At the same event, The Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning MP presented six budding entrepreneurs with cheques after they secured grant funding through the council’s Dacorum’s Den scheme, to support their business growth.

The businesses that were awarded funding of between £1,500 to £2,000 were:

VAP Games, Big Head Content, Castaway Cottage, The Home County Candle Company, Phoenix Entertainment and Song Writing 4 Kids.

Sir Mike said: ‘I look forward every year to listening to the fantastic ideas that the entrepreneurs bring to us. The diversity and commitment of the bids shows why this country has so many successful small to medium sized enterprises. I’m very proud that Dacorum is leading the way.’

Rachel Lawley from Phoenix Entertainment said: ‘I was made to feel very special and I’ve been filled with confidence and excitement for my business moving forward. Through taking part in the Dacorum’s Den initiative it has really helped me to focus on my business and analyse where the best opportunity for growth is. Receiving this grant is the cherry on the cake and I am very excited about future opportunities to come for Phoenix Entertainment.’

Since it was launched in 2012, over £80,000 has been invested in business growth.

Dacorum Borough Council would like to thank the sponsors of this initiative, Epson, Sopra Steria and Abodebed.