The pioneering work undertaken by Bath Philharmonia to bring music and joy to Young Carers across the city and beyond has helped it win a prestigious award for services to the community.
Bath Phil emerged with the FSB Small Business Awards’ ‘Community Business’ trophy at a presentation ceremony held in Exeter last week.
Musical director Jason Thornton attended the presentation – which saw other awards given to businesses in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Devon and Cornwall – and admitted he was delighted that the orchestra’s local work had been recognised across the wider region.
“Being an FSB award winner is a great vindication of our work not only on the concert platform but especially for young people and Young Carers in particular. This will mean the world to the team – a real boost to say we have been recognised for the work we have done.”
Although it isn’t a traditional business, the FSB judging panel felt Bath Phil were an ideal winner of the award category which was fought for by many businesses, charities and social enterprises across the whole of the South West.
Sam Holliday, the FSB Development Manager for Bath, Bristol and Gloucestershire, said he was thrilled to see Bath Phil emerge with a regional title.
“This is a particularly popular category so anyone who wins it has to be a bit special and to be seen to have gone the extra mile and that is what I am sure the judges felt about Bath Phil’s work. They are clearly more than just an orchestra – they are force for good in and around Bath and I am so pleased this win will have put them on the map with the wider regional business community.”
As a result of winning, Bath Phil will now join other 11 FSB regional winners in aiming to add a national FSB title to their South West one when they have been invited to the FSB 2024 UK final will take place in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in the spring.
The full list for the South West area ‘FSB Celebrating Small Business Award’ winners for 2024 is:
- Innovation Award – BioStart, Gloucester
- Expansion and Growth Award- Firestarter Business Solutions Ltd., Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
- Sustainability Award – Cofton Country Holidays Ltd., Exeter, Devon
- Family Business of the Year – Authentic Bread Company, Longhope, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
- Microbusiness of the Year – Essential 6 Ltd., Torquay, Devon
- Self-employed / Freelancer Award – Jen Webb HR Vitals, St Austell, Cornwall
- Start-up Business of the Year – Parade House, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year -Natasha Mortimer, Imagineerium, Bristol Franchise Business Award – Your Man With A Van, Poole, Dorset
- Community Business Award – Bath Philhamornia
- Diversity and Inclusion Award – Craddys, Bristol
- Service Excellence Award – Next Steps Education, Bideford, Devon.
The South West final is one of a number of regional finals place across the UK, for more details see get.fsb.org.uk
- In tune for success….Jason Thornton (centre) from Bath Phil with FSB’s event host Ruth Lambert and FSB Insurance Service prize presenter and sponsor Kevin Ratcliff
- The FSB South West winners 2024