The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025 with WRS have been presented in a glittering ceremony hosted by TV and radio star Jamie Laing, at Cowes Yacht Haven on Friday 9th May.
Jamie Laing said “I’ve had an amazing time. The Isle of Wight is an incredible place and we smashed it tonight. Congratulations to all our winners!” Jamie entertained the capacity crowd throughout the ceremony, celebrating the winners, engaging with the audience, even giving away some of his own Candy Kittens sweets as prizes to nominees.
West End singing star Kerry Ellis thrilled the nominees with an outstanding performance of hits from the musicals, including a spine-tingling Defying Gravity from Wicked, the show in which Kerry was the first British Elphaba in London, and a role she later reprised on the Broadway stage.
The President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution was presented to Nigel Hartley MBE, the outgoing CEO of Mountbatten, who received his award to a standing ovation. The Business of The Year was presented to WightFibre, who won two other awards on the night. IOW Group and Brightbulb also took home a pair of trophies.
“We’ve had an amazing night, our biggest and best yet,” says the Chamber’s CEO Steven Holbrook. “With the support of our main sponsor WRS we’ve been able to pull out all the stops and share in a brilliant evening of celebration, with some incredible talent on show, both on-stage and in our shortlist. My thanks to WRS and all of our sponsors, and my congratulations to all of our winners and nominees.”
David Jackson, CEO of WRS added “WRS was founded right here on the Isle of Wight back in 2003, and we have always been proud of our local roots. Tonight as main sponsor we’ve unveiled our new brand image, to show how far we’ve come. The Isle of Wight is home to an inspiring network of businesses, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators who make the Island a special place to live and work. WRS is incredibly proud to support this celebration of talent, innovation and excellence.”
The winners in full:
Start Up Business of the Year – sponsored by PC Consultants
WINNER: Wight Vets
NOMINATED:
Diamond Adventures
Pinnacle Suites Hotel
Simplex Accounting Limited
Tourism and Leisure Business of the Year – sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight
WINNER: Isle of Wight Studio Glass Ltd
NOMINATED:
Blackgang Chine
Isle of Wight Studio Glass Ltd
Growth Business of the Year – sponsored by WRS
WINNER: Wight Coaches Ltd
NOMINATED:
Island Echo
Strings Bar & Venue
Superior Bespoke Furniture & Kitchens
Creative Impact Award – sponsored by Medina Publishing
WINNER: WightFibre
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Spence Willard
NOMINATED:
Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Quay Arts
Entrepreneurship Award – sponsored by Red Funnel
WINNER: Pinnacle Suites Hotel
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Island Echo
NOMINATED:
Charlie Panayi
Employer of the Year – sponsored by Glanvilles Damant Legal Services
WINNER: Brightbulb
NOMINATED:
WightFibre
Yokogawa Marex
Community Award – sponsored by Moore (South) LLP
WINNER: Sight for Wight
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Isle of Wight Youth Trust
NOMINATED:
Mountbatten Isle of Wight
Natural Enterprise Ltd
Environment and Sustainability Award – sponsored by IFPL
WINNER: IOW Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED: WightFibre
NOMINATED:
GKN Aerospace Services
Technology and Innovation Award – sponsored by Lifeline Alarms
WINNER: Brightbulb
NOMINATED:
IFPL Group Limited
Yokogawa Marex
Customer Service Award – sponsored by RPL Construction
WINNER: WightFibre
NOMINATED:
Preziosa Dachshunds
The Royal Hotel
Manufacturing and Export Business of the Year – sponsored by GKN Aerospace
WINNER: Isle of Wight Tomatoes
NOMINATED:
Diverse Marine
IFPL Group Limited
Training and Development Award – sponsored by Top Mops
WINNER: Yokogawa Marex
NOMINATED:
WightFibre
Willetts and Doig Optometrists
Yokogawa Marex
Hospitality Business of the Year – sponsored by Cherry Godfrey
WINNER: The Chequers Inn
NOMINATED:
The Blacksmiths
The Island Holiday Company
The Seaview Hotel
Business Social Impact Award – sponsored by WightFibre
WINNER: Red Squirrel Property Shop Ltd
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Medina Publishing Limited & Medina Bookshop
NOMINATED:
RenoDrain
Right at Home, Isle of Wight
Micro Business of the Year – sponsored by Gurit
WINNER: JR Zone
NOMINATED:
Silver Arch Property Solutions Limited
Superior Bespoke Furniture and Kitchens
Wight Coaches Ltd
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Wightlink
WINNER: IOW Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Seaview Hotel
NOMINATED:
Diverse Marine
Eldridges Solicitors
NFU Mutual Isle of Wight
IW Chamber Membership Special Award
Andy Squibb
IW Chamber President’s Award For Outstanding Contribution 2025
Nigel Hartley MBE
Business Of The Year Award 2025
WightFibre
