The winners have been announced for the 2020North Hampshire, Inspire Business Awards.

After an unfortunate false start on Thursday due to technical issues, the awards went ahead on Friday, December 4.

Despite this year's event going online, all 36 finalists were able to get into the celebratory spirit after receiving a hamper in advance of the proceedings.

Twelve category winners were announced, and this culminated in the revealing of the judges’ award to the Winner of Winners, DCSL Software based in Farnborough.

He said: “I am delighted that DCSL Software has won. Our team has worked especially hard this year on our innovative solution called Waterloo, helping our developers to build high quality bespoke software applications quickly, efficiently and to a high quality, benefiting our clients and giving us a competitive edge. We were proud to finally showcase it this year to the judges, and I am grateful that our efforts have been duly recognised. To also win the “Winner of Winners” award at the end of the ceremony was an amazing surprise and totally unexpected!”

Chair of the Steering Board John Biffen, partner at Menzies and board member of Destination Basingstoke said: "Almost every business has been impacted in some way due to the pandemic this year. Many have had to fight to achieve, succeed or just to survive. The Inspire Award winners are doing just that and doing it with passion, integrity and determination. These are North Hampshire businesses to be proud of."

Established over fifteen years ago, the Inspire Business Awards are an important event in Basingstoke's calendar.

Business of the Year (large), sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, was won by Lavazza Professional UK. CV Library and AECOM were named as runners up.

Business of the Year (medium), sponsored by Absolutely Offices, was won by Crayside Consulting. The runners up were Phillips Solicitors and Jargon PR.

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by The Typeface Group, was won by Mr Digital. Runners Up were Apptaura and Hart Swimming Club.

New Business of the Year, sponsored by Hart District Council, was secured by The Little Whisky Shop. Runners Up in that category were Basingstoke Wellness and Woof & Me/

The Business and Community award, sponsored by Destination Basingstoke, was won by The Shots Community Foundation. The runners up were Auriol Wines and The Community Matters Partnership Project.

Employer of the Year, sponsored by HR Dept, was won by Bakedin. Joseph Munns, managing director, said: "We're thrilled to bits. We’ve worked hard to create a fun, creative and inclusive place to work and this award shows we are definitely going in the right direction. The four-day working week has been a big part of our company culture and something we’d love to see more business put into practice."

Blucando & MRS Digital were named runners up.

The Young Person in Business Award, sponsored by Minuteman Press, was scooped by Tara Morris from Abstract Print & Design. She said: "It means so much to me to win. I am proud to say that everything we achieve couldn't be done without my team."

Jordan and Daniel Lance from DJ Landscapes & Alfie Payne from APE Technology were runners up.

The Innovation Excellence Award, sponsored by Face TV, was won by Glyconics. The runners up were CV Library & Mr Digital

Service Excellence Award, sponsored by Morrisons Solicitors Incorporating Wheelers, was secured by Right At Home/ Hireserve & HR Dept were runners up.

The Environmental Responsibility Award, sponsored by Vitacress, was won by Bee Good. Runners up were Fleet Scoop & Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP.

The Excellence Digital Technology Award, sponsored by LocaliQ, was won by DCSL Software. Runners up were: AECOM and Basingstoke College of Technology.

The Wellbeing At Work Award, sponsored by Festival Place, was won by Penningtons Manches Copper LLP with The Typeface Group and Absolutely Offices named runner ups.