David Brent impersonator hands out awards at second annual Slough Business Awards

Everyone's favourite boss was on hand to dish out the prizes at the second annual Slough Business Awards on Thursday, March 17.

David Brent impersonator Tim Oliver and Brett Sirells as sidekick Gareth Keenan presented the awards at Hilton London Heathrow Hotel in Poyle Road with more than 250 guests attending.

There were 18 winners who were chosen from 65 nominees.

Chairman of the awards, Rafiq Chonan, said it was an ‘amazing’ event.

He added: “We built on last year and included a number of extra categories including Employer of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

“Last year was about getting it established and it can be harder to get people to actually apply. However this year we had a record number of entrants.”

One of the winners on the night was Kim Van Dongen, the managing director of EDivert, which is based in Park Street, Maidenhead.

Ms Dongen won Female Entrepreneur of the Year for her company which she set up two years ago.

EDivert provides telephone answering services and social media management.

She said: “There was some tough competition in the category, more than any other category on the night.

“I did not expect to win but it was great to me named the winner and it is great news for the company.”

David Riley and Richard Holliday were presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The pair have been setting up and growing businesses in the town for the last 25 years.

They started out in the recruitment industry in 1992 but their most recent ventures include a lettings agency and an engineering and building services company.

David said: “I would urge any entrepreneur to never give up, even when you’ve made mistakes and you’re faced with many obstacles.

“It takes a lot of perseverance and patience to set up a business, but if you’ve got complete conviction in your idea or product, then stick with it.”

The winners from the 2016 Slough Business awards were as follows:

• Start Up Business of the Year Group 1  – BPO Connect UK
•  Start Up Business of the Year Group 2 –  AKD Facilities Management Ltd
• Micro Business of the Year – Cross Fit Slough
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year – AKD Facilities Management Ltd
• Female Entrepreneur of the Year –  Kim Van Dongen -  eDivert
• Entrepreneur of the Year – David Riley and Richard Holliday
• Export Award Business of the Year – Baldwin UV Ltd
• Excellence in Skills Award Business of the Year – Resource Productions Ltd
• Innovation Award Business of the Year – wnDirect
• Community Based Business of the Year –  Learningtowork
• SME Business of the Year –  The Flatman Partnership
• High Growth Business of the Year – Aston Bond
• Food Hygiene Excellence Award – Large Business –  McDonalds (Slough High St.)
• Food Hygiene Excellence Award – Independent Business –  Chicken Delite (Farnham Road)
• Corporate Business of the Year – Mars Chocolate
• Employer of the Year Award – Aston Bond
• Business of the Year – wnDirect