The prestigious Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards took place on 23 March at Stadium MK to celebrate the business community’s achievements, the first ceremony since Milton Keynes became an official city.
The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Celebrating Diversity’ and many of the night’s winners demonstrated their commitment in this area, showing how their own business practices and ethos focussed on inclusivity and reaching out to the wider community.
Over 600 guests packed out the ballroom to hear the 14 category winners announced on stage. The prominent Business of the Year award was won by Diversity Marketplace, who overall picked up three awards on the night. The judges commented on the organisation’s clear and strongly held ambition to make Milton Keynes a truly diverse and inclusive city.
The celebrated Lifetime Achievement Award went to Dr Julies Mills OBE, who recently retired after being Principal at Milton Keynes College for over 11 years. During that time, Julie has overseen several major projects at the college, greatly improving the lives of its colleagues, learners and the wider MK community.
Chair of MKBAA organisers Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, Nicholas Mann, said, “This year we saw a record number of entries into the awards, so that made our judging panel’s decisions even harder. So many businesses have championed their own diversity and inclusion work, so it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate that together, as a vibrant and thriving business community.”
“On what was also a sell-out night, on behalf of the entire MKBAA team, I’d like to congratulate all of our winners, and to thank all entrants, judges, sponsors, speakers and guests, without whom the awards just couldn’t take place.”
Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2023 – winners in full:
Business Impact in the Community WINNER: Diversity Marketplace SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
Charity of the Year WINNER: YMCA Milton Keynes SPECIAL RECOGNITION: DREAMsai
Culture & Arts WINNER: Camphill MK Communities SPECIAL RECOGNITION: MKIAC
Customer Service WINNER: George Davis Turf
Celebrating Diversity: WINNER: Diversity Marketplace SPECIAL RECOGNITION: MKDC
Design & Creativity WINNER: Red Giraffe
Leisure & Entertainment WINNER: Stadium MK
Entrepreneur of the Year WINNER: Odette Mould, Harry’s Rainbow
Innovation WINNER: REAS | KonnekApp
Technology WINNER: Clearview Intelligence
New Business WINNER: Icubation Nation
Professional Services WINNER: Howes Percival
Small and Medium Business WINNER: Yellowyoyo
Micro Business: WINNER: Marc Davies Bespoke Interiors
Business of the Year WINNER: Diversity Marketplace
Lifetime Achievement Award WINNER: Dr Julie Mills OBE
For full details of the event and to view a gallery of the night visit: https://www.mkbaa.co.uk/
The headline sponsors for MKBAA 2023 are Milton Keynes Council, The Open University and Brioche Pasquier UK.