West London Business Awards 2022 winners announced – Alexanders Removals and Storage named West London Company of the Year
On Thursday 10 February 2022, guests from across all industries descended upon Twickenham Stadium to celebrate business resilience at The West London Business Awards 2022. Tennis star and TV presenter Annabel Croft hosted the ceremony. West London was once again profiled to a global audience with businesses of all sizes taking the spotlight – including, for the first time ever, dedicated categories for entrants aged 24 and under in the “Next Generation” awards.
The big winners of the night were Alexanders Removals and Storage of Park Royal, who claimed the prestigious title of West London Company of the Year 2022; in addition to winning 3 other awards, with two wins in the Sustainable and Responsible Business category. Alexanders has its roots in the community, beginning as a “man and van” servicing their local area and working hard to keep those ties as the organisation grew. Alexanders is also committed to London’s net-zero goal and the UK’s Circular Economy policy, partnering with World Land Trust to plant a tree for every move to offset carbon emissions (898 trees planted to date).
Receiving the Company of the Year award, Alex Pope, Director of Alexander Removals and Storage, said:
“I came tonight with zero expectations, and we’ve come away with four awards, I really don’t know what to say! This is utterly surreal and thank you to West London Business for all your support.”
Individual achievements were once again the spotlight of the ninth annual West London Business Awards; with Suheil Haddad of Dina Foods honoured for a 55-year career in the food industry with the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award. The awards also recognised the incredible work done by VMI.tv tackling net-zero challenges with the organisation winning Park Royal Business of the Year; in addition to Managing Director Barry Bassett named West London Business Leader of the Year. Barry had previously won the UK Government’s “Heroes of Net Zero” Award at the COP26 conference in November.
Barry said of his award win:
“We were afforded the opportunity to be one of 12 businesses, via the Better Futures+ programme, to tackle our carbon emissions and once we realised how this could benefit our business I started to talk to my suppliers, customers and even my competitors. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know what we were doing and if we all show the same interest, we can make big changes!”
The spotlight was also on the next generation of business talent in West London where awards were given to Marcus Johnson, founder of MJ’s Treats as Kidpreneur of the Year (Under 12); Laila Beharry, founder of LB’s Sweet Tooth for Teenpreneur of the Year (Ages 13-18) and Ariana Abawe, founder of Ariana Magazine for Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Under 24).
Entertainment during the evening was provided by a brass quartet of the English Chamber Orchestra, Bollywood Vibes and Alliance Arts. The awards also supported West London charity The Felix Project with fundraising and a raffle on the night.
Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West London Business said:
“West London is clawing back after the devastating effects of the Covid pandemic and tonight’s winners, as well as their stories, reflect the hard graft and innovation across this part of the capital. As we continue to rebuild our local economy after the most devastating financial hit in our lifetimes, there is great encouragement to be taken from the resilience of so many businesses – in particular our award winners and finalists.”
