THE SWANSEA Bay Business Awards, hosted by BBC’s Jason Mohammad, took place last Friday, (Jan 24) to a sold out audience at Swansea’s iconic Brangwyn Hall, bringing together a wide range of industries and celebrating their achievements. More than 400 guests celebrated the ‘Best in the Bay’ from Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire, with businesses of all sizes being recognised.
The evening, organised by the JR Event group in partnership with Bevan Buckland LLP, not only highlighted the exceptional achievements of local businesses but also served to inspire and encourage continued growth and excellence within the region.
Throughout the summer, businesses were invited to register and promote nominations, which were then compiled and presented to the independent panel of judges, all experts within their field – Alison Vickers, managing partner at Bevan Buckland, Dr Debra Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor, UWTSD & Angel investor, Jonathan Roberts, Head of Print (Regionals) at Reach PLC & Tom Smith, UK director of sales at AU Vodka, with entries measured against category criteria, and a ’Top 3’ in each category being recognised at the prestigious event.
Along with the black tie award ceremony, the evening featured a fireside interview with Charlie Morgan, co-founder & director of AU Vodka, detailing the meteoric rise to become one of the UK’s fastest growing brands.
While recognising businesses was top of the agenda, supporting the community as a whole was also important, with more than £3,500 being raised on the night for charity partner, Faith in Families.
The next SBBA will take place in January 2026, with businesses encouraged to subscribe to be the first to know when registration opens, by visiting www.swanseabaybusinessawards.com,
Creative & digital business of the year
Sponsored by Creative Swansea – Swansea Council
Uplands OneTelco (winner)
reTHINK PR & Marketing (highly commended)
Thinqi (highly commended)
Family business of the year
Sponsored by Sturgess Mortgage Solutions
Three Cliffs Holiday Park (winner)
Hartson Fire Ltd (highly commended)
Kitchens by Emma Reed (highly commended)
Green & sustainable business of the year
Sponsored by HSBC
Gavin Griffiths Recycling (winner)
Burns Retail & Hospitality Ltd (highly commended)
Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions Ltd (highly commended)
Hospitality business of the year
Sponsored by Castell Howell Foods
Rasoi (winner)
Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese (highly commended)
The Swigg (highly commended)
Innovative business of the year
Sponsored by Swansea Council
Kaymac Marine & Civil Engineering Ltd (winner)
Llesiant Delta Wellbeing (highly commended)
Plantasia Tropical Zoo (highly commended)
Large business of the year
Sponsored by Gower College Swansea
LBS Builders Merchants (winner)
Ascona Group Holdings Limited (highly commended)
Mrs Bucket Cleaning Services (highly commended)
Manufacturing business of the year
Sponsored by Morgan LaRoche
The Safety Letterbox Company (winner)
Shufflebottom Ltd (highly commended)
Viscose Closures Ltd (highly commended)
Not for profit business of the year
Llesiant Delta Wellbeing (winner)
Anxiety Support Wales CIC (highly commended)
Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners (highly commended)
Professional services business of the year
Sponsored by Nation Radio
Work Wales (winner)
Atkins Accountants Ltd (highly commended)
Starki Architecture (highly commended)
Retail business of the year
Sponsored by Lara Johnson Lifestyle
Burns Retail & Hospitality Ltd (winner)
Capel Hendre Post Office (highly commended)
Sweet Williams (highly commended)
Rural & agricultural business of the year
Sponsored by Tomato Energy
The Arb Team (winner)
Gower Fresh Christmas (highly commended)
Pen Y Waun Farm Rare Breed Meats (highly commended)
SME business of the year
Sponsored by JCP Solicitors
Dawsons Estate Agents (winner)
Shufflebottom Ltd (highly commended)
The LCV Group (highly commended)
Start-up business of the year
Sponsored by AU Vodka
WAM Engineering Services (winner)
Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions Ltd (highly commended)
Pembrokeshire Hearing (highly commended)
Tourism & leisure business of the year
Sponsored by Development Bank of Wales
Swansea Arena (winner)
Plantasia Tropical Zoo (highly commended)
The British Bird of Prey Centre (highly commended)
Trade & construction business of the year
Independent Paint Supplies (winner)
Bancs Carpentry & Build (highly commended)
Morgan Environmental Ltd (highly commended)
Young businessperson of the year
Sponsored by LBS Builders Merchants
Lucie MacLeod – Hair Syrup (winner)
Hannah Worth – Bowla Ltd (highly commended)
Will Evans – Wills Petting Farm (highly commended)
Overall Swansea bay Business of the year 2025
Sponsored by Bevan Buckland LLP
Gavin Griffiths Recycling (winner)
Jess Rice, director JR Event Group, event organisers said “With more than 22,000 businesses in the Swansea Bay region, it was fantastic to recognise some of the very best on Friday, and hear their stories. The Swansea Bay business community is a very inspiring place, and it’s always an honour to celebrate so many incredible businesses. Roll on the 2026 SBBA’s!”
Winner of Swansea Bay Business of the Year) Gavin Griffiths, Managing Director of Gavin Griffiths Recycling, comments: “We were thrilled to win both Green and Sustainable Business and Business of the Year at the Swansea Bay Business Awards. We are passionate about sustainability and the circular economy and we take great pride in delivering exemplary services to our clients across the Swansea Bay region. To be recognised for these efforts by the judging panel has been incredible and we couldn’t have wished for a better start to 2025. These wins are testament to the hard work and commitment of our team and on behalf of myself and my wife, Kate, I want to thank everyone for their efforts.”
Alison Vickers, managing partner at Bevan Buckland, said “The quality of applications was outstanding and provides testament to the fantastic businesses that operate within the Swansea Bay region.”
Dr Debra Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor, UWTSD & Angel investor said “To hear first-hand of the impressive work being done by entrepreneurs of all age groups, across many sectors has to be inspiring for anyone thinking of entering into the wonderful, crazy yet rewarding world of business.”
Jonathan Roberts, Head of Print (Regionals) at Reach PLC said “Judging is never an easy task, but the really hard work is already done – by the business leaders who continue to inspire, lead and champion our corner of the country.”
Tom Smith, UK director of sales at AU Vodka said “The level of innovation, hard work, and passion I witnessed was nothing short of extraordinary. It was an honour to contribute to celebrating the exceptional talent that defines Swansea Bay’s business community.”
