In the Community
Surrey Business Awards
We were delighted to sponsor, for the third consecutive year, the SME Business of the Year category at the Surrey Business Awards.
These awards are one of the county’s most celebrated events and it was a pleasure to be part of an initiative that recognises business endeavour.
As a judge of the Awards, our CEO, Simon Lewis, was once again astounded by the determination to succeed of small and medium sized businesses and their ability to adapt and evolve during such a turbulent period.
The awards ceremony took place on 18 November 2021 at Denbies Wine Estate, nestled in the Surrey Hills. The event was attended by 320 of the county’s leading business people, coming together to recognise outstanding achievements over the most testing of times.
It was a real honour to be part of an awards programme that celebrates business success and I am confident that the companies I evaluated will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on our local economy.
Simon Lewis announces the winner
Interview with winner Bruce Casalis
Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards
It seems like yesterday when we started, but 2020 was PMW’s fifth year as the headline sponsor for the Surrey Life Food and Drink Awards. So much has changed since that journey began and most of that change has, of course, occurred in the last 12 months.
The measures taken to curtail the spread of Covid-19 have created the most challenging times for business seen in a generation and I am relieved to see so many Surrey businesses rising to the challenge of survival with both fortitude and enthusiasm. But there is no escaping that food and drink is one of the most heavily impacted sectors and it is the small and medium sized businesses that are suffering the most.
Let’s not forget that every business has its own personal story. A story often laden with entrepreneurialism, energy and passion, most often underpinned by the stress, heartache and sacrifice required to turn a dream into reality.
I'm sure that some people think that a food and drink awards must be a ‘highbrow’ event, intended to appeal to the sophisticated pallets of gourmets and connoisseurs. But nothing could be further from the truth. The reason why this sector is so successful is that it excels at helping to make the lives of ordinary people like me feel a little less ordinary; whether by taste, smell, quality or simply providing a nice environment to spend some time with friends or family.
I'm sure that people often wonder why a Surrey based wealth management company would want to sponsor food and drink awards, as at first glance, it is not an obvious fit. However, the reality is that we have so much in common. Our business is about understanding the complex needs of our customers and relating them to the wider world, so that we can help them achieve the best possible outcomes. We also need to be creative and flexible in how we deliver our services.
The food and drink sector has been the life blood of the complex ecosystem that is Surrey and has a reputation for vibrancy and creativity. Many people say that the world has changed. Maybe for today, but not for tomorrow. We are a resilient species and one that thrives on social contact, which is often through the medium of sharing food and drink. A virus isn’t going to change that for ever.
We were delighted support a sector that has had a tougher year than most and look forward to continuing to support our food and drink industry as they start to recover from one of the toughest years in history.
Simon Lewis
Chief Executive Officer
The measures taken to curtail the spread of Covid-19 have created the most challenging times for business seen in a generation and I am relieved to see so many Surrey businesses rising to the challenge of survival with both fortitude and enthusiasm. But there is no escaping that food and drink is one of the most heavily impacted sectors and it is the small and medium sized businesses that are suffering the most.
Let’s not forget that every business has its own personal story. A story often laden with entrepreneurialism, energy and passion, most often underpinned by the stress, heartache and sacrifice required to turn a dream into reality.
I'm sure that some people think that a food and drink awards must be a ‘highbrow’ event, intended to appeal to the sophisticated pallets of gourmets and connoisseurs. But nothing could be further from the truth. The reason why this sector is so successful is that it excels at helping to make the lives of ordinary people like me feel a little less ordinary; whether by taste, smell, quality or simply providing a nice environment to spend some time with friends or family.
I'm sure that people often wonder why a Surrey based wealth management company would want to sponsor food and drink awards, as at first glance, it is not an obvious fit. However, the reality is that we have so much in common. Our business is about understanding the complex needs of our customers and relating them to the wider world, so that we can help them achieve the best possible outcomes. We also need to be creative and flexible in how we deliver our services.
The food and drink sector has been the life blood of the complex ecosystem that is Surrey and has a reputation for vibrancy and creativity. Many people say that the world has changed. Maybe for today, but not for tomorrow. We are a resilient species and one that thrives on social contact, which is often through the medium of sharing food and drink. A virus isn’t going to change that for ever.
We were delighted support a sector that has had a tougher year than most and look forward to continuing to support our food and drink industry as they start to recover from one of the toughest years in history.
Simon Lewis
Chief Executive Officer
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise (YE) is the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity reaching over 250,000 young people every year. PMW has been supporting them since 2017, with funding and participation on the judging panel for the Company Programme.
YE’s aim is to make the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed, building on 8 key skills:
- Communication
- Confidence
- Financial Capability
- Initiative
- Organisation
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Resilience
Since it was founded in 1962, over 4 million young people have taken part in Young Enterprise programmes in the UK. One million of these have run businesses for a year on the Company Programme.
The Company Programme runs throughout one academic year and enables participants to experience what it is like to run their own company. Students make all the decisions about their enterprise, from deciding on the name and product to creating a business plan, managing the student company finances and selling to the public at trade fairs. Each company is judged on their business plan, product, trade stall and the presentations held at each stage of the competition. Simon Lewis, CEO at PMW, has been involved in the judging process for the last few years and has been blown away by the level of innovation and professionalism.
To find out more about the Young Enterprise programmes, click here.
