14 Nov 2012
Ella's Kitchen 2012 National Business Awards winner
Lindley set up the business when he started to appreciate his daughter Ella, along with her generation, should have the opportunity to eat better food and set out to make healthy eating fun. The company has been named the International Growth Business of the Year for its significant expansion in international sales over the past 12 months.
National Business Awards judges commented; “Commended for its great ambition, setting out to change the way the world feeds its children, Ella’s Kitchen understands its customers and invests the same uniqueness of approach in all of its international markets.”
David Whileman, 3i Head of UK Private Equity said: “Ella’s Kitchen has been embraced by parents and kids in over 12 countries and is well on its way to becoming the first global brand of premium organic food for babies and kids. Whilst a relatively small business it has transformed an industry, historically dominated by a few brands, empowering customers to demand more.”
The eleventh annual National Business Awards were opened with a video address from the Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander also addressed the 1200 business leaders. Other influential attendees included Sir Roger Carr, Chairman of Centrica and president of the CBI and Chair of Judges, Baroness Virginia Bottomley.
Phil Smith, CEO, Cisco UK and Ireland was honoured with the prestigious Orange Leader of the Year Award, an award decided by a combination of public vote and a ballot from a panel of 35 senior executives from across the business community. Kate Swann, CEO, WH Smith received the Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business for her distinguished career leading retail businesses and turning round WH Smith’s fortunes. Other winners include Shutl, the web service who organise immediate and convenient delivery of online shopping, who took home the Start-Up Business of the Year Award, with judges commenting that they have been setting new standards for delivery and service in its sector.
Joseph Joseph was crowned the BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year winner and registered charity, London Early Years Foundation won the Transformational Change of the Year award for turning a vulnerable charity into a financially secure social enterprise.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “Attracting household names, and those aspiring to be; the National Business Awards are the accolade of choice for those seeking the highest recognition – whether it’s to attract talent, investment, new customers or media attention.”
Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for more information.
The National Business Awards supports Help for Heroes, a charity that offers support and advice for wounded soldiers.
Notes to editors
Winners
- The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business – Kate Swann, CEO, WH Smith
- The Orange Leader of the Year– Phil Smith, CEO, Cisco UK & Ireland
- The Entrepreneur of the Year - Colin Stevens, Better Bathrooms
- The Business Enabler of the Year – Newton Europe
- The Ecommerce Strategy of the Year - Zaggora.com
- The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year – Trunki
- The Small Online Business of the Year – Luxury for Less, trading as Bath Empire
- The Croner Employer of the Year – Baringa Partners
- The Huawei Customer Focus Award – World First
- The ICAEW Sustainability Award – Marks & Spencer
- The Start-Up Business of the Year - Shutl
- The Orange Innovation Award - Apetito
- The BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year - Joseph Joseph
- The Transformational Change of the Year – London Early Years Foundation
- The Leadership Diversity Award – Eversheds
- The Coutts FTSE 100 Business of the Year – Intertek Group
- The 3i International Growth Business of the Year – Ella’s Kitchen
The Grichan Partnership is the official executive search partner for the National Business Awards.
For further information or interview opportunities contact:
Rachel Branigan
PR Manager
UBM Awards and Partnerships
Tel: 0207 955 3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com
Annelle Botha
Head of PR and Marketing
UBM Awards and Partnerships
Tel: 0207 234 8753
Email: annelle.botha@ubm.com
About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its eleventh year, the National Business Awards connects the nations’ professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table events; and is UBM plc’s flagship awards programme. Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/ for further information or follow us on Twitter @businessawards.
About Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes (H4H) was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007. Bryn and Emma met some extraordinarily brave young men who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help. The charity was launched in October 2007 and provides direct, practical support for those wounded, injured or who have become sick in the line of duty and their families.
About Orange UK
Orange is the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world''s leading telecommunications operators. With almost 131 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and 3G coverage to more than 93%. Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited. On July 1 2010, the company became part of Everything Everywhere, one company that runs two of Britain''s most famous brands - Orange UK and T-Mobile UK - with plans to transform the industry by giving customers instant access to everything, everywhere, offering them the best value, best choice and best network coverage in the country. Everything Everywhere Limited is the UK’s biggest communications company, with a combined customer base of almost 28 million people and more than 720 retail stores across the country. Everything Everywhere Limited is registered at Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9BW under the registered company number 02382161.
For more information please call the Orange Press Office 0870 3731500, or visit www.orange.co.uk/newsroom
