The Surrey Business Awards seeks to determine the best of business in Surrey and with a judging panel including key personnel from organisations such as Surrey County Council, Royal Bank of Scotland, Surrey Economic Partnership, Surrey Advertiser, Deloitte, 96.4 Eagle Radio, The Institute of Customer Service, Business Link Surrey and the University College of Creative Arts, only those who met the detailed award criteria, demonstrating that something ‘extra’ special to put their business performances ahead of everyone one else were considered.
Of the hundreds of entries submitted from right across the Surrey region, the judges had to narrow their choices to a shortlist of businesses and individuals who would then be visited personally.
During the Gala Award Ceremony held at the lavish facilities of Sandown Park in Esher, only four business individuals had been short listed as finalists for the highlight award of the evening – the ‘Business Person of the Year’ award.
To announce the winner for this award, Paul Marcus, Managing Director of 96.4 Eagle Radio took to the stage and revealed,
“The winner of the Surrey Business Person of the Year is ….Andrew Reynolds”
Onstage on accepting his award, local Surrey Businessman Andrew Reynolds said’ I had no idea I had been put forward for this award. It was a secret until the judges came over to interview me as a shortlisted entrant. I am absolutely ‘gob smacked’ to receive this Award”
Without Andrews knowledge, individuals from national and local charities that Reynolds supports, including Make a Wish Foundation, Disability Initiative, Dial a Ride, Great Ormond Street, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and The Princes Trust, had got together and made the nomination and submission to Surrey Business Awards, which went into detail with the support and assistance Andrew had provided them over the years. A spokesman for the group of charities said ‘This award will now give Andrew the recognition he rightly deserves. He had no idea we had put him forward for this and it is fantastic to be here on this evening to show him further support and see his reaction.’
During his speech, it was clearly an emotional moment for Andrew Reynolds as he said’ In business, we should measure our success and effectiveness to just by the profits we gain but more importantly, by how we use those profits to help better the communities in which we both live and work.’