On Thursday 3rd November, local mental health charity Oakleaf Enterprise won the ‘Community Hero’ award as part of the Surrey Business Awards for 2022.
The much-anticipated awards, organised by The Platinum Media Group, are the largest of its kind in Surrey. Hundreds of the county’s leading innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs gathered for the prestigious black-tie event, held at G-Live in Guildford, to celebrate their achievements over the last twelve months.
The awards ceremony was hosted by British actress, writer and comedian Jo Caulfield, which recognised all kinds of businesses, large and small, across different sectors in Surrey. This year saw a record-breaking number of nominations for each category, with hundreds of applicants whittled down to just eighty finalists. The sixteen winners included individuals and organisations from a wide range of sectors, including technology, health, retail and marketing.
Oakleaf’s Chief Executive Officer Clive Stone, said: “We were delighted to have been recognised by our peers and contemporaries, but also by the business sector across Surrey in winning this award. It is very humbling to know that the Oakleaf staff team delivers pivotal support for adults with mental health problems, which in turn is crucial for their wellbeing.”
Oakleaf would like to congratulate all those shortlisted as well as thank each and every one of its supporters, volunteers and staff for helping them to provide vital mental health and wellbeing support for hundreds of individuals across Surrey.
The Guildford-based charity is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to raise awareness of its services and its overall vision to continue to improve the lives of people managing their mental health in the community.
Mandira Sarkar of Mandira’s Kitchen wins Surrey Business Award.
Mandira Sarkar, founder of Mandira’s Kitchen based at Silent Pool in Albury, has been named Businessperson of the Year 2022 in the prestigious Surrey Business Awards.
The business, based in a 400 year old outbuilding overlooking the idyllic Silent Pool produces authentic Indian cuisine, cookery lessons and catering for events of all sizes. It has already been a busy year with Mandira’s Kitchen food attracting the attention of Nigella Lawson, the Countryfile team and culminating in a feature on Channel 4’s Aldi, The Next Best Thing.
The award was presented to Mandira at a prestigious black-tie event which took place on 3 November at G Live Guildford, recognising the achievements and resilience of the county’s business community.
British actress, writer and comedian Jo Caulfield hosted the ceremony, which brought together some of the most successful companies – and their leaders – in Surrey.
Mandira was in good company, with strong competition from across a wide range of sectors including technology, pharmaceutical, retail, law and marketing.
Maarten Hoffmann, Managing Director at Platinum Media Group and organiser of the awards said:“ The Surrey Business Awards celebrate all the remarkable businesses in the region – and the people that work for them!
“Everyone should be rightly proud of their achievements, and it is these businesses that are putting Surrey on the map, adding weight to the county’s burgeoning reputation for innovation, creativity and excellence.”
Although the award has her name on it, Mandira insists that it was very much a team effort.
‘I think that any good company should be judged on the company that it keeps, and to have prevailed over such outstanding fellow nominees makes this award even more remarkable, and special.
The Mandira’s Kitchen team is almost exclusively female and we work hard as a collective, covering for each other and sharing skills. The award will take pride of place in our shop, I would like to thank everyone involved with Mandira’s Kitchen, our hugely loyal customers and brilliant suppliers. Thanks also to Platinum Media for staging such a well-organised event, and for giving us a reason to put our posh frocks on.’
