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This is Devon --
THE man who has steered the Theatre Royal to prominence and Plymouth's richest man were among the headline winners at The Herald Business Awards.
At a glamorous black-tie event, at the Holiday Inn, Theatre Royal chief executive Adrian Vinken, received a huge surprise when he was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of 22 years of success at Britain's top regional theatre.
And retail magnate Chris Dawson was named Entrepreneur of the Year for growing his The Range store chain to the point where he was this week named as Britain's 153rd wealthiest person.
Mr Dawson, now rated by the Sunday Times Rich List to be worth £585million, was unable to attend the ceremony due to business commitments in London.
But he sent a special video message and told The Herald: "I'm delighted. But it also goes to everybody that works for me, it's not just my award."
Other prominent winners, all of whom received Champagne and a specially framed "front page" about their firm's success, included Princess Yachts, Burts Chips and brand and business development agency bluestone360, which were revealed as, respectively, Plymouth's large, medium and small Businesses of the Year.
Other winners included mobile games inventor Mutant Labs, jewellers Michael Spiers, medical equipment producer BD, law firm Wolferstans, Rhythm City Dance Studios, the Royal William Yard's developer Urban Splash, and the National Marine Aquarium.
Pauline Yearley received the Customer Care and Service honour after clocking up 36 years' service at Drakes Fine Jewellers.
Another winner was City College Plymouth, which picked up the Editor's Award.
Each winner received a well-earned round of applause from an audience which included their peers and other luminaries from Plymouth's business community.
But really, all the dozens of firms and individuals nominated in the 14 categories were winners, being hailed for their achievements during what has been a challenging year for the economies of the city, the country, Europe and, indeed, much of the world.
And Plymouth itself was also a winner, with The Herald awards forming a tribute to business in the city.
Herald editor Ian Wood, who compered the event, told the assembled businesses: "This evening gives us a chance to celebrate your success over the last 12 months and recognise the talent, hard work and creativity that is helping to define this city's future.
"The Herald is proud to host these awards. Last month we launched a new business supplement which signalled our commitment to the creation of a vibrant, commercial environment in which innovation, ambition and performance are properly recognised.
"This event is an opportunity to further highlight and reward the businesses and individuals who are helping to drive this great city forward toward its goal of being recognised as a premier waterfront destination and the wealth generating hub of this region."
He summarised the main business headlines during the past year, including Plymouth being chosen for the Government's City Deal, its re-branding as Britain's Ocean City and its bid for City of Culture status.
Co-compere Blanche Sainsbury, managing director of The Herald's parent firm South West Media Group introduced special guest Sean Holley, a top Welsh rugby coach, and architect Ian Potts, of ADG and a director of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said grace.
The awards were presented by representatives from the firms and organisations sponsoring the categories.
The list included; Ian Brokenshire, chair of Plymouth Better Together; Jane Chafer, Plymouth University's director of external relations, Greg Lumley, centre director of Drake Circus Shopping Centre; Richard Davis, chair of Plymouth City Centre Company; Rezza Abzadeh, head of support at txtNation; Sian O'Keefe, Wrigley's senor corporate affairs manager; Julian Crow, regional manager of First Great Western; Mark Collins, marketing manager, and Peter Oliver, commercial manager, of Plymouth Citybus; Phil Davies, principal of City College Plymouth; and Paul Woods, chair of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
See The Herald's Business pull-out next Wednesday for more on the Business Awards.
Comment: Page 11
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This is Devon --
This is Devon --
This is Devon --