Wenta Celebrate Innovation and Sustainability at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2024

As a Platinum Sponsor of the SME Bedfordshire Awards 2024, Wenta had the pleasure of attending the Final Awards evening on Thursday 4th July to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local, small businesses across the county.  The Wenta team, including Jennifer Condon, Director of Client Services and Engagement, David Pointer, Director of Finance, and Michael Martin, Head of Net Zero and Advisor Team Manager, had the privilege to be involved in the judging and played an influential role in recognising the outstanding achievements of businesses across the two award categories that Wenta has sponsored this year:

The Best Enterprising Business Award

• Runners Up: Aura Estate, Be Our Guest Princesses, BE-SEEN-SCREEN, Holistic Thinking Holidays, Kinderoo Childrens Interiors, Osborne Morris & Morgan
• Silver Award Winner: Will Brown Hair
• Gold Award Winner: i3 Simulations

The Action Zero Sustainability Award

• Runners Up: Biggleswade Dental Centre, Harrisons Accountancy
• Silver Award Winner: ADA Cosmetics
• Gold Award Winner: Sommers Waste Solutions

These categories celebrate businesses that excel in entrepreneurship and sustainability, aligning with Wenta's mission to make it easier and greener for everyone to start and run their own business. Jennifer Condon had the honour of presenting these awards to the deserving winners.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to sponsor the Best Enterprising Business and Action Zero Sustainability Awards this year and to celebrate with all the finalists and winners at the final awards event” said Jennifer Condon. “A massive congratulations to them all and to all the businesses that entered, as there was a very high standard of applications received across both categories.”

With Wenta's revolutionary Action Zero Programme, Wenta provides an easy accessible and relative package of Net Zero support for small business owners to help them learn about their own business carbon footprint and how they can practically reduce it by producing greener products and services as well as access the many benefits that it comes with.  Learn more about this programme here. 

Michael Martin highlighted the importance of sustainable economic development, both locally and nationally. “The number one priority for a business is gaining more business and, in partnerships across Bedfordshire – indeed nationally – we’re aware that sustainable economic development is a priority," he stated.

Michael also expressed hope that the nominees and winners at the SME Awards for Sustainability will inspire others to adopt greener practices. "As the leader of Wenta’s business advisory team focused on facilitating greener and easier business startups, I hope the nominees and winners at the SME Awards for sustainability inspire you to explore diverse climate perspectives, learn from others' success with greener offerings, and confidently take practical steps to save money and benefit your business and community," he added.

He underscored Wenta's commitment to helping businesses calculate their emissions and develop actionable plans. "Wenta can calculate your emissions and help you put an action plan together for supply chain wins, while you empower your team and network to inspire and impact local communities. It’s heartening to think that among them are our future green leaders,” Michael concluded.

Several finalists and winners at the event were Wenta clients and it was a proud moment for the team to see so many businesses thriving that have been helped by Wenta to start-up and grow.  Bilal Farooq of Greystone Solicitors, won the Silver Winner for the Foxley Kingham Chartered Accountants Business Person of the Year award, and Richard Edwards of Bee Seen Screen won Gold for Influencer of the Year.  Additionally, James Davies of Raw Thunder Creative and Tracey Garrett of HR Delivered were finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

Jennifer Condon commented, “Seeing so many small businesses that have received business advice and skills training support from Wenta celebrating at the event was a real privilege.  The success of those we people we help through the advice and training we provide, means everything to us.” 

Focusing on supporting local entrepreneurship, Wenta are also working in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council on a recently launched grant for people starting their own business based in Bedfordshire. Click here for more information. 

The SME Awards continue to be a prestigious event, celebrating the best of Bedfordshire’s business community. For more information about the awards and how to enter next year, visit the official SME Awards website.

Last but not least, a huge congratulations to all of the team at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce for a fantastic SME Bedfordshire Awards 2024.