Milton Keynes’ Businesses Celebrate 50 years of Success at Annual Awards

Marshall Amplification and Francesca Skelton are the big winners at this year’s prestigious Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards.

The awards, which this year paid homage to Milton Keynes’ 50 years of growth, saw more entries and a bigger, better and more glamorous awards evening than ever before.

Established five years prior to the inception of Milton Keynes in 1967, Marshall Amplification is world renowned and sells its products and passion for music globally. With its headquarters based in Bletchley, the company has recently announced the creation of Marshall Records, its very own record label to help bands and musicians record, promote and perform their music. The judges were unanimous in awarding Marshall Amplification the title of Business of the Year 2017.

MKBAA Business of the Year, sponsored by The Open University, is chosen by the judges from the winners of each of twelve categories. Chair of the judging panel, Sir John Southby said Marshall Amplification, which also won the Design and Creativity Award, was a true example of the fantastic growth and success of Milton Keynes business over the past 50 years.

The MKBAA Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Barclays, was awarded to Francesca Skelton, former High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire for her significant contribution to the business community in Milton Keynes.

Category winners on the night included:

The Winners

Community Impact – sponsored by Destination Milton Keynes (DMK)

Willen Hospice

Retail Business – sponsored by Black Cat Distillery

Ipsos Retail Performance

Professional Practice – sponsored by City Fibre and dbfb

Howes Percival

Hospitality – sponsored by Freeths

Gulliver’s Resort

Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors

Sweat Yoga and Pilates

Design and Creativity – sponsored by National Locums

Marshall Amplification

Leisure and Entertainment – sponsored by Debit Finance Collections

MK Museum

Energy and Environment – sponsored by Mazars

SMC Pneumatics

Cultural Impact – sponsored by Evolution

MK City Orchestra

Innovation and Technology – sponsored by Keens Shay Keens

Evidence Talks

Young Business Person of the Year – sponsored by Niftylift

Ben Turner – Simply Race

The awards were once again organised by Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership (MKBLP), in association with full service marketing agency Interdirect and event management experts Evolution.

Chair of MKBLP, Dr Philip Smith MBE said: “Milton Keynes has moved from being a rural part of North Buckinghamshire to one of the most successful economies, and one of the most successful cities in the UK over the last 50 years, and this year’s awards have been a fantastic way to mark and celebrate that success.

“Now in its fourth consecutive year, Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards continues to go from strength to strength.”

Commenting on this year’s Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards trophies, Managing Director of Interdirect, Nicholas Mann said: “Incorporating the 50th Birthday of Milton Keynes, this year’s trophies were inspired to bring the past to the present and reflect on the achievements of Milton Keynes as a whole.

“We hope that award winners will be inspired by the design of this year’s trophies and will take pride in displaying them in their businesses.”