Business Of The Year sponsored by London South Bank University

Winner: Peace Ballers

Zion Zachary said: “I am personally very touched to have been recognised as a winner, and am totally blown away. This really has been an amazing year for us. We are in the events sector, and had to shut down, but we are problem-solvers so put our efforts into creating our online events solution. I didn’t launch my own business when I was younger as I wanted to be ready, and I have learned so much. I am elated by the recognition.”

Best Business for Customer Service

Winner: D.A.Y

Highly Commended: TheLodge.space
Commended: Incentive FM Group

“It’s been quite a tough year but this has been the cherry on top, knowing the passion of what we do is being recognised.

“We’ve been open two years and we’ve not been able to mark the two years the way we would have wanted to, but customer service is something we’re really proud of and something we hope to continue for our customers.”

Best Charity or Social Enterprise sponsored by Elephant & Castle Town Centre

Winner: The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

“I’m gobsmacked, completely taken aback. It’s such a testament to the work we do, with and for schools. It’s been a hard slog for teachers and to be able to provide things for them has been a privilege. I can’t tell you how much it means to be recognised for what we do. It’s emotional and wonderful.”

Highly Commended: Theatre Peckham
Commended: UK Homes 4 Heroes Pride & Passion
Commended: Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4ALL)

Best Employer sponsored by Landsec

Winner: Inner Circle Consulting

“We’re delighted. To be recognised in our business home of Southwark where the company has grown up is amazing. And to be included with all the businesses in this category was wonderful. We run Inner Circle Consulting like a family company – we want everyone to feel that family sense with us. To receive the Best Employer Award and have that recognition is brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”

Highly Commended: TOPdesk
Commended: Holistic & Beauty Therapy

Best Medium Sized Business

Winner: CD International Building Services Engineers

“We both live and work in Southwark. The area has such a community spirit, mix of cultures and diverse businesses. The team has really come together better than ever during this year and this has been a real team effort. It’s fantastic to win.”

Highly Commended: Complete I.T
Commended: Inner Circle Consulting

Best Small Business sponsored by Lendlease

Winner: Support & Sustain

“It’s amazing. I’ve never felt so proud of the team. It’s amazing having an independent body see what’s great about the business. We are all incredibly proud of it and to be part of the team but it’s really lovely when someone else acknowledges that as well.”

Highly Commended: Adroit Accountax
Commended: Berry Cole Studios
Commended: Friddle’s Cakes

Contribution to the Community sponsored by Great Portland Estates

Winner: Unity Music Arts Team

“I’m very honoured. It’s been a year where everybody has taken a kicking, one way or another.

“It’s a beg, steal and borrow production on a back of a fag packet budget. We’ve undersold it and overachieved.

“This award will help with my art council funding application, where I hope to perform at Southwark Park Bandstand – one of the finest in the country.”

Highly Commend: VHR
Commend: De’Osa Catering & Events

Entrepreneur of the Year

Winner: Zion Zachary, Peace Ballers

Highly Commended: Sean Baradaran, Greenzen
Commended: Mark Allan, Job Doctors

Women in Business sponsored by British Land

Winner: Sarah Preece, Mountview

“I’m totally blown away. I feel both proud and privileged, when you look at the shortlist of the women in Southwark, it’s incredible. I am proud of the work we’ve done. Mountview is an exceptional organisation but I do genuinely believe that we do the best for the young people that come to train with us but also that we’ve created a new modern drama school for Southwark. Over the many years, in what is now our permanent home in Southwark, we will be able to offer generations of young people opportunities that they wouldn’t have had before – so I am very proud – thank you.”

Highly Commended: Jennifer O’Donnell Jane Jefferson Cleaning
Commended: Helen Cuthbert, Planning Potential
Commended: Jane Langley, Blue Patch

Best Business for Hospitality, Leisure, Food & Beverage

Winner: Bankside Hotel

“It’s been a tough few months. We closed back in March. We opened back up in October for a month, and then had to close down again, so to get some light in what has been a very dark period is just so rewarding. For everyone who’s here and on furlough as well. We cannot wait to tell our team.

“The majority of our staff are Europeans, so for us to reach out to people all across Europe at a time like this when it is so challenging, it’s such a lovely thing to do to be able to say we have been recognised by our borough as the best in hospitality.”

Highly Commend: Diogenes the Dog
Commend: Tower Tandoori

The Southwark Culture & Tourism Award

Winner: Copeland Park & Bussey Building

“It’s a family business and over the last seven years we have built it up to where we are. Seven years ago there were really just some crumbling old warehouses on the site. Over that time we have blossomed into this organic multi-site with lots of different creative uses, from galleries and restaurants, bars, event spaces to fitness spaces, and a rooftop cinema, too. There is plenty happening on site all from small businesses.

“There are about 150 organisations on site that make up this ecosystem. That didn’t exist seven years ago, so that’s why the recognition of this award is quite special – after a funny year it is particularly special.”

Highly Commend: Mountview