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Winner of Best Start up at Wandsworth Business Awards 2023

I am thrilled to announce that Wandle News won the award for Best Start up Business in Wandsworth at the Wandsworth Business Awards 2023. The website was also Highly Commended for the Environmental & Sustainability Champion Award.

This post contains photographs from this year’s awards ceremony, as well as details about the winners in other categories.

Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi

Winning Best Start up at the Wandsworth Business Awards

I want to thank everyone who has supported and believed in Wandle News over the past year. I’ve been working non-stop to create a valuable local website for the river Wandle, and its surrounding boroughs, and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had from local groups.

I believe strongly that Wandle News will turn into something truly extraordinary. Winning this award means so much to me because it means that industry experts recognise the same potential in the website that I do. It also validates the countless hours I’ve poured into its growth.

I know that the followers of Wandle News will share in this celebration, as you were the ones who recognised the website’s value from the start! To me, winning this award is not only down to my own hard work and dedication, but represents a collective effort from everyone who has believed in and supported Wandle News.

Best Start up Business of the Year
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photo credit: roundturnervisuals.com

A Win for All Female Entrepreneurs in the Tech Industry

Wandle News was also built by a woman, in a world where the tech industry is still largely dominated by men. I am proud to have taught myself HTML code and built all of my websites, including Wandle News, from scratch.

Winning this award for Wandle News is not only a personal achievement for me, but hopefully will challenge stereotypes, and inspire other women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in the tech industry.

Video from the Wandsworth Business Awards

Photographs of Winning Best Start up Business of the Year

The awards ceremony was held at the Clapham Grand on Tuesday 20th June, and hosted by Ainsley Harriott. The award for Best Start up Business of the Year was presented by Scott Sherriff, the Deputy Head of Employability at South Thames College. Below are some photographs capturing the moment when I received the award.

Ainsley Harriott, Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy
Winning Best Start up Business of the Year. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi
Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott at the Wandsworth Business Awards
Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott at the Wandsworth Business Awards
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi
Award for Best Start up Business of the Year
Award for Best Start up Business of the Year. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy
Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott
Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Fiona @declecticart
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott
Scott Sherriff, Olivia Herlihy and Ainsley Harriott. Photograph by Suzanne Moezzi

Environmental & Sustainability Champion Award

Wandle News was also highly commended for the Environmental / Sustainability Champion Award.

Environmental / Sustainability Champion Award
Suzanne Moezzi and Olivia Herlihy at the Wandsworth Business Awards
Suzanne Moezzi and Olivia Herlihy
Ainsley Harriott at the Wandsworth Business Awards
Ainsley Harriott at the Wandsworth Business Awards

Winners of Other Wandsworth Business Awards

Below is a full list of winners in each category.

Best Start up Business of the Year

  • Winner: Wandle News
  • Highly Commended: Maternal Serenity Ltd
  • Commended: Adam Alexander London

Environmental & Sustainability Champion

Environmental & Sustainability Champion
Environmental & Sustainability Champion. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy

Wandsworth Community Hero

  • Winner: Power To Connect
  • Highly Commended: Bounce Theatre
  • Commended: Little Lives UK

Diversity & Inclusivity Champion

  • Winner: Broadway Market Tooting 
  • Highly Commended: Maisie Lockyer, Hanne & Co Solicitors 
  • Commended: Tracey-Ann King, Yorkys Gym 
Broadway Market Tooting winning Diversity and Inclusivity Champion
Broadway Market Tooting. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy

Innovation Award

  • Winner: Tara Theatre
  • Highly Commended: Pearl Chemist Group 
  • Commended: Beaver Pest Control 
Tara Theatre
Tara Theatre. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy

Apprentice of the Year

  • Winner: Gianluca Mori, Banham Security 

Retailer & Hospitality Award

  • Winner: Rick’s Dining Room
  • Highly Commended: Anthony Laban 
  • Commended: The Pig and Whistle and Broadway Market Tooting

Health & Wellbeing Award

  • Winner: RMJ Wellbeing
  • Highly Commended: Northcote Chiropractic Clinic and Get Juiced
  • Commended: MA&Y

Best Customer Service

  • Winner: Beaver Pest Control
  • Highly Commended: Angel Swim London 
  • Commended: Pim & Partners 

Best SME Business of the Year

Best Large Business

Business Owner / Entrepreneur of the Year

Best Overall Business

Best Overall Business of the Year Winner
Photo credit: roundturnervisuals.com

Entertainment at the Wandsworth Business Awards

Throughout the night there was entertainment from the fantastic Rogue Opera who performed opera classics in between each of the award presentations.

Rogue Opera
Rogue Opera. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy

About the Wandsworth Business Awards

The Wandsworth Business Awards is organised by the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. It is annual event to recognise and celebrate the achievements of businesses in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The awards showcase the diversity and talent within the local business community, and highlight successful enterprises across various sectors.

The sponsors of the 2023 awards ceremony were:

  • Wandsworth Council
  • South Thames College
  • Banham Security
  • Ethos Farm
  • Roehampton Club
  • Access Self Storage
  • Russell Cooke
  • Displayways
  • Beaver Pest Control
  • Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel
  • Clapham Junction Business Improvement District
Wandsworth Business Awards at The Clapham Grand
Wandsworth Business Awards. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy
Beverley Corson, Chief Executive of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce
Beverley Corson, Chief Executive of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy
Councillor Kemi Akinola
Councillor Kemi Akinola. Photograph by Olivia Herlihy

Photographs from the Wandsworth Business Awards

All the photographs below were taken by Charlie Round-Turner of Round Turner Visuals.

Thank you for reading my post about the Wandsworth Business Awards 2023

The annual Wandsworth Business Awards is a prestigious event in South-West London to celebrate the best businesses in Wandsworth borough, and the positive differences that they make.  It is a special occasion that gives small businesses that are thriving, the recognition they deserve. I extremely honoured and grateful to have won Best Start up Business of the year, and am looking forward to attending more events from the Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce next year.

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