THE winners of the Somerset Business Awards 2022 have been announced at a glittering event at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare.

Nearly 400 business people from across the county attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by BBC broadcaster Claire Carter.

The 2022 finalists come from all corners of the county, including Taunton, Wellington, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Norton St Philip, Mark, Wiveliscombe, Weston-super-Mare, Shepton Mallet, Bradford-on-Tone, Westonzoyland, Langport, Glastonbury, Roadwater, Midsomer Norton, Ilminster, Highbridge and Cheddar.

This year was the 17th anniversary of the awards and Somerset Chamber executive director Emma Rawlings, thanked everyone who had entered.

She said: “I am extremely proud of our county’s businesses. W were all blown away by the quality of the entries and what Somerset’s businesses are achieving and producing.

“It was fantastic to be able to honour winners and finalists from all corners of the county and from a wide range of sectors and industries.

"Thank you to everyone who entered the awards and thank you to our judges and sponsors who continue to make these the biggest and best business awards in Somerset.”

It was the 12th year main sponsor Albert Goodman had supported the awards and partner and awards judge Michael Cahill said: “After a trying two years and an ever-changing business landscape, it felt like an in-person celebration of Somerset’s finest businesses was well and truly overdue.

“There is nothing quite like getting the leaders of some of Somerset’s most innovative, unique and worthwhile businesses coming together to celebrate one another’s achievements.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and the winners – they should be proud of all they have achieved under incredibly trying circumstances.”

THE SOMERSET BUSINESS AWARD 2022 WINNERS.

•Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Albert Goodman).

Winner – Protek Products, Shepton Mallet.

The runners-up are: J&K Aquatics, Bridgwater and Musgrove Willows, Westonzoyland.

•Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Enterprise South West).

Winner – AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater.

Runners-up are: Introtweet Ltd, Taunton and Reflex Medical Limited, Shepton Mallet.

•Medium Business of the Year (sponsored by Brook Financial Management).

Winner – Haven Timber Holdings Ltd, Norton St Philip.

Runners-up are: Hippychick Ltd, Bridgwater and Lendology CIC, Bradford-on-Tone.

•Large Business of the Year (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark).

Winner – Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare.

Runners-up are: Bradfords Building Supplies, Yeovil and Ten Three Cleaning Ltd, Yeovil.

•Charity of the Year (sponsored by Clarke Willmott).

Winner – Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Wellington.

Runners-up are: bibic, Langport and St Margaret’s Hospice Care, Taunton.

•Best Use of Technology (sponsored by Porter Dodson).

Winner – Berry & Escott, Bridgwater.

Runners-up are: Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton and Talick Group, Glastonbury.

•Employer of the Year (sponsored by Elite Staffing Solutions).

Winner – Singer Instruments, Roadwater.

Runners-up are: Alpha Housing Services Ltd, Taunton and WPA, Taunton.

•Investing in Somerset (sponsored by Hinkley Point C).

Winner – Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd, Midsomer Norton.

Runners-up are: Cake Box Bakery, Yeovil and MMES 2012 Ltd, Bridgwater.

•Start-up of the Year (sponsored by Teapot Creative).

Winner – The Birch Dementia Centre Ltd, Weston-super-Mare.

Runners-up are: Emily Thompson Social Media Coach, Ilchester and Otterhead House, Taunton.

•Employee of the Year (sponsored by Weston College).

Rebekah Blake, of The Willow Set Pre-School, Taunton.

Runner-up is: Ryan Werner, of AIP Welding Supplies Ltd, Bridgwater.

•Environmental Achievement (sponsored by Gravity).

Winner – Talick Group Ltd, Glastonbury.

Runners-up are: New Leaf Life Design, Bridgwater and Somerlap Forest Products Ltd, Mark.

•Service Excellence (sponsored by CETSAT).

Winner - House Fox Estate Agents, Weston-super-Mare.

Runners-up are: Alpha Housing Services Limited, Taunton and Container Team Ltd, Weston-super-Mare.

•Somerset Manufacturer and Producer (sponsored by Garador).

Winner – E-FS Ltd, Highbridge.

Runners-up are: EPS Services & Tooling Ltd, Wiveliscombe and Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Taunton.

• Rebuild and Thrive (sponsored by Barclays):

Winner – Regency Purchasing Group, Weston-super-Mare

Runners-up are: Introtweet Ltd, Taunton and Sansum Solutions Group Limited, Cheddar