Businesses impress at the Thames Valley 250 Awards 2024
A celebration of the best of the Thames Valley 250’s businesses has highlighted the strength and depth of talent across the region.
The Thames Valley 250 comprises the top privately-owned businesses (by turnover) headquartered in the region, defined as Oxfordshire, Berkshire, West Surrey, North Hampshire and parts of Buckinghamshire.
Gateley Legal, Morgan Lovell, Verlingue and Blue Peak Consulting sponsored the TV250 this year. The 14th annual awards event was held at Easthampstead Park, Wokingham.
Richard Thompson, Chief Executive of The Business Magazine, which compiles the listing, noted that this year’s TV250 employs more than 144,000 people and generates a turnover of almost £35 billion. “The companies making up the TV250 have achieved 18% year-on-year growth in turnover,” he said.
Guest speaker Jacob Leone, Investment Director at private equity firm LDC, provided insights into private equity funding. LDC typically invests £10-£50 million in mid-sized businesses. The firm has been operating in the Thames Valley for 20 years and has provided £600m of funding in the region over the last 12.
Jacob highlighted some key reasons for accessing private equity, including business owners looking to exit and management teams seeking to buy into their business. He also covered the pros and cons of this type of funding.
“On the positive side, private equity firms offer strategic support and advice as well as providing capital. We can help professionalise businesses to continue their growth journeys. On the negative side, it’s a more expensive form of capital than taking on debt,” he said.
And the winners are…
CEO of the Year (under £50m)
Winner: Paul Hargreaves – Cotswold Fayre
“My business ethos is to put people and the planet before profit. Our business growth strategy has to be about the growth of our people as well – that’s what keeps us in balance. Around 70% of our business is with independent retailers, which is a speciality food market that did well during the Covid-19 pandemic and has held onto its growth since then. We are also working more with the larger retailers as the business expands.” Paul Hargreaves, CEO, Cotswold Fayre
Judges’ comments: “The leader has shown a passion for his staff of over 100 people, his customers and clients, both large and small and a commitment to the environment, demonstrating ambitious yet achievable commercial targets for the business, as his revenues continue to grow.”
Finalists:
Will Barrett – Francis Construction
Justin Brinklow – Ontime Automotive
Neil Pizzey – Amazon Filters
Anthony Young – Bridewell
CEO of the Year (over £50m)
Winner: Richard Dick – Lucy Group
“We have massively expanded the business in 2024, opening a new £20 million factory in Saudi Arabia, extending our smart technology products and supplying equipment for electric vehicle charging. On the housing side, we are expanding building activity and working to get all our properties up to at least a C energy rating.” Richard Dick, CEO, Lucy Group
Judges’ comments: “It is very obvious to understand why the company consistently delivers fantastic results. It is the ability to continually innovate and evolve the business over such a long period, led by their CEO, that makes them stand out.”
Finalists:
Rob Collard – Collard Group
Martin Dodd – Huntswood CTC
John O’Hanlon – Waylands
Bashir Parkar – BAP Pharma
Climate & Sustainability Award
Winner: Exclusive Collection
“As the movement towards sustainability grows, being sustainable becomes easier, particularly in the food and drink sector. For example, we have seen a resurgence of hyperlocal producers. We were the first hotel to gain B Corp accreditation. Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of the purchasing process in the corporate market, which is good for us. We are lucky to be custodians of a lot of land, buildings and people – we’re educating ourselves to make better decisions about all of them.” Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director, Exclusive Collection
Judges’ comments: “Outstanding environmental initiatives and commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Their approach to sustainable resource management involves locally grown food, hyperlocal sourcing, and B-Corp-certified supply chains.”
Finalists:
Cotswold Fayre
Roc Technologies
Westcoast
Whistl
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year
Winner: Collard Group
“Our industry is very exciting at the moment. When I started, almost everything went to landfill and the recycling element was low. Now, we are catching up with Europe in developing the technology for recycling. The demolition side of our business is growing because of this. Every day is a new challenge that I relish. I’m extremely proud of our staff retention as this industry is quite transient. We’ve had people with us for over 25 years, and have sons and now grandsons joining as apprentices. Keeping a family feel gets harder as we grow, but is something I am committed to.” Rob Collard, Managing Director, Collard Group
Judges’ comments: “An entity that has evolved into a diverse conglomerate of over 400 staff, with multiple service offerings whilst overcoming countless challenges along the way and a leader who treats the business like a family, ensuring incredible staff retention levels.”
Finalists:
BAP Pharma
Cotswold Fayre
Lucy Group
Roc Technologies
Fast Riser of the Year
Winner: RH Amar
“Business growth focuses on our people. For me, it’s all about having the right structure in place, getting the right people on the bus, all facing in the same direction and sharing the rewards. We incentivise through profit sharing. Our growth has accelerated in the last year, when we increased revenue by about 20% and we are on track for similar growth this year.” Rob Amar, Managing Director, Amar Group
Judges’ comments: “Growing steadily and significantly, doubling its overall turnover in the past five years. Outstanding staff retention and a recently upskilled leadership team, investing in their people and bringing expertise in-house – while generously sharing operating profits with employees.”
Finalists:
Amazon Filters
Bridewell
Francis Construction
Waylands
Leadership Team of the Year
Winner: CleanEvent Services
“As a leadership team, two of our priorities are looking after our people and our customers. It’s about making sure our people are happy and providing the best service we can. People have the authority to make decisions and we guarantee that nothing will be said if they make a wrong decision – we learn going forward. On the back of our ID cards we have a saying: Licensed to act. After a year of post-Covid consolidation, we grew revenue by about 25% in 2024, which was very pleasing.” Tomas Gronager, CEO, CleanEvent Services
Judges’ comments: “It was clear that everyone in the company takes huge pride in their business but more importantly their people. The team celebrates diversity and believes in a culture of collaboration, growth, empowerment, and mobility where everyone has the opportunity to shine.”
Finalists:
BAP Pharma
CV-Library
Roc Technologies
Waylands
Employer of the Year
Winner: Xtrac
“Highlights this year have been our strong apprenticeship programme and winning our third Princess Royal Training Award. Also, 15 of the 20 people who took part in our aspiring leaders programme have been promoted or started new roles. We currently have 40 of our 515 employees studying some form of apprenticeship. Our reverse mentoring with the senior leadership is another highlight. We have expanded our wellbeing programme, which includes offering health assessments for every employee, regardless of age. Our diversity efforts are going well, with about 20 people supporting our STEM ambassadors programme to encourage more women into the motorsport sector.” Kirsty Knight, People and Culture Director, Xtrac
Judges’ comments: “With a strong focus on nurturing future leaders, the company offers diverse programmes. Their commitment to employee wellbeing is clearly demonstrated. The company's leadership in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion is also evident.”
Finalists:
AND Digital
CleanEvent Services
Collard Group
RH Amar
Roc Technologies
Whistl
One to Watch
Winner: Francis Construction
“It’s been a very positive year for us with lots of really great milestones. We have faced some teething issues, mainly from doing a little bit too much, but overall it is positive and it’s good to see our team grow. The business focuses on organic growth and maintaining customer relationships, which is more important to us than chasing turnover. Our policy of giving money back to clients if work comes in under budget is something I’ve not heard of before in the construction industry. The reaction is surprise, but it breeds repeat business and trust.” Will Barrett, Managing Director, Francis Construction
Judges’ comments: “Our conversation with the winner of this award, left us wanting to jump in a time capsule and race forward in time to see whether all the plans for the company had come to fruition.”
Finalists:
Bridewell
Cotswold Fayre
RH Amar
Waylands
