Alex Cox has identified a niche and exploited it well. His unrelenting focus on true customer service and that willingness to go the extra mile has created a culture within the business that is well suited to looking after the insurance needs of its high net worth client base. As a 2010 winner of the Private Clients Intermediary of the Year award at the Insurance Age Awards, Coversure Fleet is clearly a well run business that does what it says on the tin and does it very well. We expect to see the broker go from strength to strength in 2011 and beyond.
Redseven have spotted a niche market and exploited it very well. They have developed a hassle free solution for hen and stag party goers and delivered it with a healthy sprinkling of customer service, great use of technology and value for money. Their on-going staff training programme ensures that the team continuously develops and thrives which has played a significant part in the business achieving impressive financials. Redseven has ambitious expansion plans that have already seen it move in to other areas of the travel market such as business travel and holidays. Under the continued leadership of Ian Lucas this niche player is one to watch in the travel market.
It’s amazing how far one can get by listening to customers. Comtact are flying high as the Fastest Growing Managed Service Provider in the UK in the 2010 Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100. They focus on tailoring their IT solutions to their customers’ needs starting with, as they put it ‘an empty toolkit’. This focus on the customer is enhanced with a healthy sprinkling of innovation and a desire to hire the best people to deliver their refreshing vision under the watchful eye of founder and ‘secret millionaire’ Dominic List.
The property maintenance sector is not synonymous with great customer service, if anything it suffers an image problem. Aspect are changing all that. They are the Eddie Stobart of the property maintenance sector and get the job done on time and on budget.
Aspect are a breath of fresh air with impressive financials to show for it. Well done to founders William Davies and Nick Bizley for setting the sector standards and steering the business from strength to strength.
With a turnover in excess of £50 million, a growth of 80% over the last two years and an increase in operating profit of almost 300% over the same period, XLN telecom is delivering outstanding performance. Not to mention an increase in market share of 50% over the last two years. This is Christian Nellemann's fourth successful venture having been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 and in 2010 he was recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year in the London regional finals. Christian demonstrates an ability not only to identify substantial new business opportunities, but also to follow through and deliver relentlessly on the initial vision..
When it comes to staff welfare Luminus Group should be extremely proud of their achievements. They really do believe that their staff are their greatest asset and as a result of this commitment reap the benefits in terms of delivering outstanding customer service. With 20 award wins since 2008 of which seven have been won in 2010 so far, the organisation is clearly leading the way in terms of business excellence, which is particularly highlighted by their second place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. A well deserved addition to the Crème de la Crème Hall of Fame.
Brunel University has done more than most to forge relationships between academia and UK industry. The University’s collaborations typify their commitment to business excellence thanks to significant financial investments in business-facing activities and infrastructures, and their vision has been rewarded with groundbreaking industrial initiatives and world-leading R & D projects. Brunel are a shining example of how public/private sector partnerships can add value for all concerned.
Sir Richard's position as one of the UKs, and indeed the world's, most successful and highest profile entrepreneurs needs no introduction. His business acumen coupled with a natural ability to promote himself and his organisation are second to non. An inspirational figure, Sir Richard has a rare ability to touch hearts and minds which spans any generation while effortlessly remaining approachable and down to earth. There is perhaps no one more deserving of Crème de la Crème status.
Renishaw have been at the cutting edge of innovation since its inception in 1973. A world leader in metrology and spectroscopy, with research, development, manufacturing, sales and service operations in more than 30 countries. The company boasts no less than 13 Queen's Awards to date. Renishaw's first product, the touch-trigger probe was invented by Sir David McMurtry, Chairman and Chief Executive, to solve a specific inspection requirement for the Olympus engines used on Concorde. This innovative product went on to revolutionise post-process inspection of machined components.
With the public sector facing harsh cutbacks they need to work smarter and deliver more for less. To help achieve this the best possible procurement process needs to be in place and Peterborough City Council have gone to great lengths to ensure that this is the case. With savings of over £6 million being delivered directly through the implementation of procurement best practices the Council is putting procurement at the centre to drive commercial decisions. An example for many to follow.
GSD have demonstrated that they deliver quality design solutions with flair. Their passion for the projects they undertake shines through as does their high level of creativity typified by the creation of the interloopmailer which has been used by many of the world's leading brands to help them stand out from the crowd. With a strong and diverse client base GSD is well positioned to continue its innovative marketing and communication work and to continue to delight those exposed to it.
Rebecca is a great example of an entrepreneur who is devoted to her business and the pursuit of excellence for the benefit of her customers. Named in the top 20 most desirable salons by UK by Professional Beauty Magazine, her business Epitome Health and Beauty, is set to go from strength to strength. Rebecca has built a brand to be proud of highlighted by the hat full of personal and business accolades she and the business have enjoyed so far. A worthy ambassador for her sector with a genuine commitment to staff training and development as well as an accomplished marketer.
Under the leadership of Jamie Waller, JBW have gone from strength to strength and are probably the most recognisable Debt Management and Enforcement Agency in the UK. As a Sunday Times Top 100 Company to Work For 2010 JBW is certainly a well run business and a great place to work. A consistent growth in turnover coupled with an ambitious acquisition programme over the next two years suggests that the business is well positioned to thrive.
Phoebus deliver a quality product underpinned by the knowledge and experience of the team behind it. They have adapted to a challenging marketing place by introducing a radical new rental-based pricing structure which allows companies to access their high-end loan servicing technology at a fraction of the cost that is achievable by purchasing a software licence - the standard commercial model. Phoebus achieved a 150% year-on-year increase in profits in 2009 and are set to achieve even greater things as the mortgage market recovers.
Super low latency and high frequency trading are the driving forces in foreign exchange trading. Gold-i is at the forefront of this technology. Their products deliver lower error-rates and lower latency at high speed. It is unusual for a company that has been trading for just 18 months to win a Crème Award, however, if the technology can stand the test of time and grow and develop in line with customer demands Gold-i could be a star in the making. Congratulations to CEO Tom Higgins on the company’s achievements to date.
The beauty industry has had a tough time during the recession but Stanford Spa Lagoon has bucked the trend showing growth in both turnover and net profit over the last five years. It has invested in the latest treatments such as permanent makeup while at the same time focusing on marketing its core products to existing and new customers. As we move towards more buoyant economic times the business is well positioned to further expand and maintain the upward growth curve.
Most organisations play lip service to great customer focus but few actually deliver above and beyond the bare minimum. Investment Quorum are a rare breed that truly puts their clients at the heart of the business. Trust is of course key to success in any sector, but especially in the wealth management arena and under the direction of CEO Lee Robertson, recently named as one of the UK’s top 50 wealth managers by Spears Wealth Magazine, the business has fully embraced the need to create a culture of business excellence that makes their clients feel safe and highly valued.
It takes grit and determination to not only survive but thrive in these tough recessionary times and Cirkle have done just that under the stewardship of Fast Growth Business Awards Female Entrepreneur of the Year Caroline Kinsey. The team have delivered financials that speak for themselves by taking large corporate best practise and sprinkling it with a generous helping of innovation and client focus found traditionally in dynamic smaller businesses. A well run PR firm and one to watch as the economy improves and marketing purses loosen.
“Inspired” coupled with “a significant culture of continuous learning” was now the Investors in People inspectors described the leadership of Western College when awarding them a Gold accreditation. We would like to add focus and dedication to the mix. With Dr Paul Phillips at the helm, the College has gone from strength to strength and is a shining example of what can be achieved by building and empowering a team of professionals and embracing the community. As with all those in the Crème Hall of Fame, the numbers speak for themselves and the organisation looks set to go from strength to strength.
It’s fair to say that great staff are key to the success of any business but none more so when it comes to cosmetic clinics. Medizen, voted “Best UK Medical Aesthetic Clinic 2008” have gone to great lengths to create the credibility and trust necessary for people to put their bodies on the line and this has been achieved through the quality of the team, led by Clinical Director, Dr David Eccleston. As Medizen pointed out in their application, ““Quality” in our market can be difficult to define” but one thing’s for sure, getting it right as measured by the client, is a must and the Clinic is 100% focused on achieving this.
Consumer Intelligence was founded on the core belief that the UK insurance industry did not have the necessary tools to respond effectively to the far more demanding, price-sensitive consumers that were emerging in an increasingly internet-dominated world. They provide many of the biggest names in the insurance and financial services sector with high-quality data which informs marketing, pricing and product strategies. Multi-award winning Consumer Intelligence is now the most widely-recognised research brand in UK advertising with more consumers relying on their research than that of any other company. A true leader in its field.
Keltie are a team of patent and trade mark attorney's that deliver a fresh and highly client focused service. Unlike many organisations in the legal sector, they offer a high level of innovation coupled with simplicity but without compromising on the detail - a rare and enviable combination. Keltie display a refreshing 'can do' approach along with a friendly demeanour which sets them apart. The firm is listed in the 'The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For' and has also achieved Best Companies' top three-star accreditation, ranked 'extraordinary' - an achievement shared by less than 7% of entrants across all sectors. Keltie is one of just two legal practices to achieve that standard, and the only firm of patent and trade mark attorneys. Oh, and let’s not forget that they have won a Queen's Award too.
Boss Design is a market leader in the UK seating industry and its product range includes task chairs, meeting furniture and extends to include breakout seating, contemporary tables through to bespoke product design. Synonymous with high quality and cutting edge design, sustainable materials, ergonomically engineered mechanisms and sculpted forms Boss's designers, engineers and craftspeople express their skill and expertise in a way that many organisations aspire to but few achieve.
Norton & Sons is a Savile Row bespoke tailor founded in 1821. Today, the firm is run by Oxford-educated Patrick Grant, who, at 35 years of age, is the youngest boss on Savile Row. Patrick's love of Harris tweed is almost as widely documented as the reputation of the firm within the world of top end tailoring. Today's client list is known to include King Juan Carlos of Spain, HRH Prince Phillip and musician Jools Holland. Norton's have also tailored Sir Winston Chrchill, Tony Curtis, David Niven and Sir Roger Moore to name but a few. Enough said!
The flamboyant entrepreneur is perhaps best known for his outspoken views on the insurance market and his ongoing advice to consumers in the national press. One of the smartest and well mannered people in the Square Mile, Simon built and sold British Insurance a couple of years ago and is now working his brand of magic on the latest venture, Burgesses. With 21 awards under his belt so far, Simon really knows how to inject that X factor in to a business in order to take it from strength to strength.
Anyone can throw large amounts of money at a restaurant and bar and make it look 'nice'. But Sketch have spent well and created a truly special experience, and that's no mean feat in central London. As you would expect, the food is top notch and this is sprinkled with something special in terms of service and style. It makes one feel good to be alive, trendy even if you know deep down you're not really and never ceases to evolve and stimulate the mind. Uber cool. A worthy edition to the Crème de la Crème Hall of Fame.
AESSEAL is one of the major specialists in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals and support systems. With growth in excess of 25% per year since its launch in 1983, AESSEAL is the only major international new entrant to the mechanical seals industry in the last twenty years. The company has genuinely turned customer service into a competitive advantage and coupled this with superior product performance. Another great example of a real all-rounder with cutting edge innovation, great marketing and service.
The Big Issue exists to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income. It's a current affairs magazine which vendors buy for 75p and sell to the public for £1.50, keeping 75p for themselves. During the last eighteen years the organisation has worked with and on behalf of some of society's most marginalised individuals to help them take control of their lives. The Big Issue has become one of the world's foremost social enterprises, creating a model which has been imitated time and again.
Search engine optimisation and pay per click specialists Bigmouthmedia are one of those outfits that 'do what it says on the tin'. They get the job done and done well. Founder Steve Leach is a digital media thought-leader and pioneer. Steve has grown Bigmouthmedia organically and through acquisition to become the leading independent Digital Marketing Company in Europe. Steve is the current CBI Entrepreneur of the Year, winning the title after a unanimous vote from the judging panel and following in the footsteps of previous winners, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Philip Green and Sir James Dyson.
Since 1997 Towergate have grown to become Europe's largest independently owned insurance intermediary. Their business model is based on creating innovative products combined with great customer service, easier said than done well. In 2008 Towergate was voted Private Company of the Year by ACQ Magazine and Management Team of the Year by the Sunday Times Fast Track. In 2009 Towergate was also recognised by the Sunday Times as a top 250 Fast Track company. In 2008 Executive Chairman Peter Cullum was voted Management Today's "Entrepreneur of the Year".
Colin is a PR heavy hitter. He was headhunted to Shandwick as an Associate Public Affairs Director in 1995. He joined the board in 1996 and became the MD of the new Shandwick Public Affairs consultancy the following year. After building Weber Shandwick's public affairs division into an industry leader he was promoted to be CEO of the new enlarged Weber Shandwick after its 2001 merger with BSMG. In 2008 Colin was promoted from UK & Ireland CEO to CEO, UK & Europe. The way in he has restructured the PR giant during the early part of the decade is to be admired.
