South Londons Best Businesses Announced

20th May 2010

The annual South London Business awards came to a glittering conclusion this Wednesday with Croydon funeral directors Rowland Brothers International named as business of the year.

Accepting the accolade Tony Rowland, a director of the family firm quipped:    “ I’m very proud of what we have done. This evening I’m excited and, as an undertaker, you don’t get too much excitement.”

Earlier in the awards evening held at Crystal Palace FC’s Selhurst Park Stadium Rowland Brothers had also been named Best Medium Sized Business and was highly commended in the category of Best Business for International Trade.

Established for 150 years, the firm specialises in international repatriation, helping bereaved families to bring their loved ones home for burial from all over the world.

This year’s award attracted entries from 250 companies throughout the boroughs of South London. Some 73 of these were shortlisted as finalists in 12 categories. The competition, organised by South London Business and with HSBC as its principal sponsor, covers a comprehensive range of business types and sizes.

The Oscar-style award ceremony, in a lavish marquee on the Selhurst Park pitch, was hosted by radio DJ David Jensen and attracted more than 500 guests who, following dinner, waited expectantly for the words “And the winner is …”

Addressing the audience Peter Pledger, Chief Executive of South London Business, said: “We organise these awards because we are committed to business and business success. By celebrating success we can generate success. All of you are making a difference and helping to bring South London out of this recession, so thank you all.”

The category winners were:

Best Small Business: Chainbow Ltd

Chairman and chief Executive: Roger Southam
Absolutely delighted . Its great recognition for what we do. It’s a very important for us to get this award as a small business


Best Medium Sized Business: Rowland Brothers International

Director Melanie Walkling
This award recognises commitment and compassion and I would like to thank everyone in our team for their good work and this spurs us on the even greater achievements.

Best Large Business: Apogee Corporation

Service director John Carter: Recognition of all the work the company has done since it was started. We have evolved a business that had changed tremendously, especially in the last five years.

Best Business for Customer Service: Croydon Business Venture Ltd

Norman Pierce, CEO: We have been in business now for 27 years and we’re very gratified to accept this award on behalf of our company.  If anyone needs any help and support or any office space. You know who to contact.

Best Business for Innovation: Laundry Republic

Partner David Lambert: It means so much to receive this award tonight. It means so much to our team and to our customers as well.

Best Business for International Trade: SLE Ltd

Bernard Nelligan: Thanks to all the judges but my biggest thanks goes to the staff of SLE Ltd. Who have worked so hard for so long to make the success that we have achieved and it is all credit to them.

Best Business for Training and Development: Menzies LLP

CEO Andrew Denley: When a recession hits businesses have to make quite hard decisions.  We decided to increase our commitment to our training and development programmes to make sure we are best placed to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise as the South London economy recovers. We are very pleased to have received this award.”

Best Business for Marketing: Independent mindbodysoul

Helen Canning:  My first reaction is ‘wow!’ We are in a completely saturated market with hair and beauty so we do everything to market ourselves; emails, Facebook, Twitter. Absolutely everything. Thank you very much.


Best Business for Sustainability:  ITC Concepts Ltd

Managing Director Ian Conway: Great honour to accept this award. We work in an industry that is not noted for its sustainability. We at ITC strive to cope with that and strive to make a real difference.

Best New Business: Breeze Yoga

Partner Claire Dunphy:  Absolutely overwhelmed.  We were completely brave to start this business and everyone told us we were completely mad. Been going just seven months and we have had 27,000 people through our doors.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Malcolm John of Malcolm John Restaurants

“I wanted to bring a little of the West to Croydon and I have done this with Le Cassoulet and then Fish and Grill. This award means a lot to me and to my employees and I would also like to say well done to all the other winners here tonight.”

Business of the Year: Rowland Brothers International

Director Tony Rowland: Very excited, proud of what we have done. Won five awards in the past two years. This evening I’m excited and as an undertaker you don’t get too much excitement.

Category sponsors for the 2010 South London Business Awards were Newsquest Newspapers, Baker Tilly LLP, AEG/the O2, London Gatwick Airport, BT, South London Export Club, Prosell, White Label Consultants,  SLB Logistics, Mazars, and Morrisons Solicitors.