The winners of this year’s Caerphilly Business Forum Awards have been revealed at the annual awards ceremony which took place on November 17 at Llechwen Hall.

The 2017 awards, hosted by BBC presenter Jamie Owen, were the largest in its 16-year history and are widely recognised as one of Wales’ most established business accolades. The event is the only one of its kind to represent the rapidly developing Caerphilly County business region.

With a 44 per cent increase in the number of entries this year versus those received in 2016, this year’s awards celebrated and recognised those businesses and individuals making the greatest contribution to the region – as well as the wider South Wales economy.

The winners of the 2017 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards were: Premier Award, sponsored by Broomfield & Alexander: Alex Jones – Coffee 37; Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by City & Guilds: Brandon Griffiths - GE Aviation Wales; Business Woman of the Year, sponsored by Glenside Commercials: Alex Jones - Coffee 37; Creative & Digital Business of the Year: Big Lemon Creative; Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Coleg y Cymoedd: Lewis Peach – Peak Performance Fitness Solutions; Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees), sponsored by Educ8: Thomas Carroll Group; Contribution to the Rural Economy, sponsored by Cwm a Mynydd: The Living Room Yr Ystafell fyw; Small Business of the Year (under 49 employees), sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council: J R Gilbert Engineering; Start-Up Business of the Year, sponsored by BBI Solutions: Volare Italian Restaurant; Welsh ICE Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Welsh ICE: Wize Virtual Admin.

Denise Lovering, chairman of Caerphilly Business Forum, said: “The 2017 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards has highlighted just how essential businesses are to Caerphilly and wider regions.

“2017 has proven to be a complex year in terms of international trade, politics, and even infrastructure. Despite this, business in Caerphilly has thrived - demonstrated by both the volume and calibre of entries received this year.

“The awards attracted the highest number of applications and attendants in the history of the event. The business community in Caerphilly is becoming increasingly vibrant – due in no small part to the herculean efforts of its business community. From businesses addressing more rural needs, to national and multi-national organisations, Caerphilly is truly one of the best places in the UK to do business.”

For information about the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards, visit www.cbforum.co.uk/awards/2017awards/default.htm