With the judging of the inaugural South Wales Argus Business Awards set to take place next week, we meet some of the companies and organisations which have stepped up as sponsors.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Johnsey Estates

LEADING South Wales property developer and investors Gwent-based Johnsey Estates are at the forefront of encouraging business entrepreneurs to flourish and grow.

The business, established for 50 years, owns and manages Mamhilad Park Estate in Pontypool where over the past three years some 1,800 new jobs have been created by businesses locating to the rejuvenated industrial site.

The property developer and investor employs some thirty people in its business and is based centrally at head offices on Mamhilad Park Estate.

James Crawford, CEO of Johnsey Estates said: “Entrepreneurship is the essence of our business and creating wealth and employment, which has a greater socio-economic benefit.

"It’s important for businesses and individuals to enter awards such as these as for businesses it creates wealth and employment and it’s important to recognise the role individuals play within the Welsh economy.

“Despite the fact we only employ a small number of staff directly, we support local businesses who are key suppliers to us and we recognize that we make a greater contribution through indirect employment as well as place making. We are immensely proud that more than 1,600 people and 150 businesses are based at Mamhilad Park Estate.

“We believe that it’s important to recognize the role of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship. The awards allow achievement to be celebrated across the wider community. Recognition gives a further potential boost to their business.”

Iconic Mamhilad Park Estate, Pontypool, the home of the former British Nylon Spinners manufacturing centre and latterly a base for large public sector operations, is being reinvented for the 21st century.

James said they are progressing a master plan which is gradually transforming thousands of square feet of space into modern office accommodation.

James said: “The type of accommodation we have here is one whereby an occupier arrives simply plugs in and gets going doing whatever it is that they do. The environment we have here at Mamhilad Park Estate is something people always comment on. It’s a truly unique feature of the estate which we want to retain and enhance as much as we can. The period architecture of the buildings externally and internally is an addition al feature and remarkable feature of the business park. It’s a great place to come and work.”

To arrange a viewing of the offices or workspace email enquiries@jeuk.co.uk

Family Business of the Year Award: MHA Broomfield Alexander

LEADING Wales accountants and professional advisors MHA Broomfield Alexander understands the crucial role family businesses play in our economy.

The professional firm has four offices across South Wales in Newport, Monmouth, Cardiff and Swansea employing a total of 120 staff.

MHA Broomfield Alexander is sponsor of the Family Business of the Year Award category

Sarah Case, of MHA Broomfield Alexander, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring the Family Business award because we understand the important role they play in our economy. Each family business is unique, whether run by siblings, husband and wife teams or by multi-generations, and we understand the challenges and pressures they face.

“We have vast experience with family businesses and help our clients manage current issues and build a successful framework for the future, providing them with advice and information specific to their needs.

“There are clear benefits to be had by entering yourself or your business into an awards category. Aside from it being a celebration of achievement and ensuring staff receive recognition for a job well done, it’s a great way of helping you to benchmark yourself or your business against competitors. Awards also provide a great opportunity to network with peers and, in cases where they are judged by leaders in the industry, there can be the additional bonus of being able to discuss ideas with them.

“Recognition at an awards ceremony is an amplification of all of the above and, for staff morale, is the icing on the cake. It can help attract new talent to a business and helps to increase a sense of trust and credibility, both among clients and the wider industry.

“MHA Broomfield Alexander believes passionately in not only recognising and celebrating excellence, but in supporting local businesses to be the best they can.

But why enter these or other awards?

Sarah said: “Who doesn’t like a pat on the back and independent confirmation that you are a leader in your industry? It doesn’t matter how old or how successful we or our businesses become; recognition of a special achievement is always welcome."

MHA Broomfield Alexander has won awards in the past: both our business and individuals within it have won awards. The awards we have won are a huge boost to staff confidence and have really helped to showcase our talents – internally and externally – while ensuring we continue to strive for further excellence.”

Start Up Business of the Year: St Joseph’s Hospital

TOP private healthcare provider St Joseph’s Hospital is at the forefront of delivering the highest standard of care and recognises the hard work needed to start up a business.

Founded in 1946 St Joseph’s Hospital, based at Harding Avenue, Malpas, Newport, employs more than 200 staff and over 160 consultants who work across its Centres of Excellence in many specialties.

The hospital is demonstrating its continued commitment to the local community by sponsoring the start up Business of the Year Award in the South Wales Argus Business Awards.

St Joseph’s Hospital’s business development and marketing manager Andrew Evans said: “As a local employer, we recognise the hard work it takes to start a business and then to make it a success.

“We are delighted that there are so many new businesses in the area. It is important to recognise and grow local talent for the future and we believe that these awards will reward hard work and determination.

“We believe that individuals who work hard to provide services and employment in the community deserve recognition and appreciation. We all benefit from a growing local economy that supports better living standards, great services and improved facilities. Investment locally has been the key to the regeneration of the area in recent years.

“As a well-known local employer that has been established for more than 70 years it is an honour to be part of such a special event that creates a buzz around the local community. We believe in giving something back to the area for the many years of support we have been shown.

“It’s important to feel recognised; it reminds people that they are appreciated for all the effort they put in on a day-to-day basis.”

Andew said: “We understand the peace of mind that comes with the highest standard of healthcare, and have a wealth of experience when it comes to providing world leading private care to Wales and the South West. After a £10m investment, we re-launched as one of the best equipped private hospitals in the UK.

“Our goal has always been to set a new standard in private healthcare, and we achieve this by delivering a five Star service that’s clinically outstanding and focuses on your needs as a patient.

"This ‘made-to-measure’ approach is always delivered with a warm welcome in our newly refurbished facilities set in beautiful surroundings that promote calm, recuperation and wellbeing. It is this bespoke approach that allows us to work with individuals and corporate partners to deliver outcome-focussed, personalised healthcare packages.

“With more than 160 leading consultants, supported by our highly dedicated nursing team and state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, you will experience exceptional healthcare across 13 Centres of Excellence and more than 20 specialties. We are proud to offer the most advanced diagnostic capabilities of any private or NHS hospital in the UK.

“Our commitment is to your wellbeing, which means giving you reassurance that you are in the safest hands, peace of mind that the care you receive will be first class and personal, and confidence in your future health.”