The Bath area’s entrepreneurial spirit has been recognised as the best in the West in a business awards scheme that champions the region’s ‘ones to watch’ – with five of the nine trophies going to firms, organisations or individuals based in and around the city.
Paulton-based data management specialist 101 Data Solutions landed the top prize in the inaugural Enterprising West of England awards while Bath Carnival, Peasedown St John-based My Cookie Dough founder Ricki Ghali and Farayi Gwenzi of Bath-based director of Divine Healthcare Solutions were also among the winners. 
Some 27 outstanding individuals and firms went head-to-head in nine award categories aimed at finding the most exciting entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs across Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, as well as the region’s most promising BAME, young and female entrepreneurs.
The awards were staged by regional business support group Business West at the Bristol Old Vic before an invited audience of business leaders.
Brett Edgecombe, managing director of overall West of England Ones to Watch award winner 101 Data Solutions, said he and his team were chuffed to lift the top trophy.
“The West of England is a hotbed of entrepreneurial talent and competition, so we are delighted to be recognised for our contribution,” he said.
“I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication for enabling our continued success.”
101 Data Solutions was launched in 2008 by Brett from his spare room. In the past year along its turnover has doubled to £2.2m and has aspirations to grow further to achieve a £15m turnover in the next five years.
The firm had already claimed the title of best business in Bath and North East Somerset in a three-way contest with Bath-based online mail order firm Novel Wines, and employment consultancy Circle Consulting Group, also based in Bath.
Bath Carnival won the award for ‘Best contribution to the place of the West of England’.
It has been running since 2013 and last July became a community interest company (CIC).
The Young Person in Business title went to Ricki Ghali of Cookie Dough. Ricki, 29, co-founded the business in 2013 after spotting a gap in the market for freshly baked ‘grab-and-go’ desserts. The first store opened in Cardiff in 2014 and there are now 13 across the UK as well as five in the Middle East and Asia.
The business is growing rapidly and Ricki is forecasting a further 10 store openings this year.
Farayi Gwenzi landed the BAME Business Leader award. Farayi has extensive experience in health and social care industry and founded Divine Homecare Solutions in 2013. The company provides 24-hour, seven-day specialist homecare services across Bath, Bristol and surrounding villages.
Chief executive of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West, James Durie, said: “The awards ceremony showcased the brightest entrepreneurial talent the West of England has to offer, providing shortlisted businesses a platform to go from strength to strength.
“Being recognised as an Enterprising West of England One to Watch – a programme funded by The European Regional Development Fund – is an impressive accolade which will boost business’ brand awareness, act as a differentiator in the marketplace and help to attract the new talent required to grow.”
The award winners in full were:
North Somerset: Sweet Construct Ltd
Bath and North East Somerset: 101 Data Solutions Ltd
Bristol: Waste Source
South Gloucestershire: British Corner Shop
Overall West of England Winner: 101 Data Solutions
Contribution to the Place of the West of England: Bath Carnival
Young Person in Business: Cookie Dough Retail
BAME Business Leader: Farayi Gwenzi – Divine Healthcare Business Solutions
Female Business Leader: Danielle Neill – Danielle Neill Designs
Leader of Environmentally Sustainable Business: Kath Senior – EcoStardust
The Enterprising West of England programme supports SMEs across the West of England. It is funded by The European Regional Development Fund and delivered in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Prince’s Trust and the YTKO Group.
