THE county's finest small businesses came together for the inaugural Small Businesses Awards, organised by the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses). Held at Tewin Bury Farm, the event was designed to recognise and honour some of Hertfordshire s small and

THE county's finest small businesses came together for the inaugural Small Businesses Awards, organised by the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses).

Held at Tewin Bury Farm, the event was designed to recognise and honour some of Hertfordshire's small and independent companies.

Speaking at the ceremony, event organiser Damien Cummins said: "Normally, a small business award is a single award at a larger event.

"This is the first event of its kind in concentrating exclusively on small businesses.

"We've were very impressed by the quality of the entries, and this has turned out to be a fantastic evening."

And it was a fantastic evening for many Times Territory businesses.

It was a clean sweep in the Recent Graduate Award, with two businesses borne out of the University of Hertfordshire finishing in first and second place.

First prize went to The Recovery In-Sight Centre, which provides help and support for people recovering from mental health issues. with online accommodation website Findmyhouse collecting runner-up.

Findmyhouse director John Gyeni said: "We've got no complaints about being runner-up.

"It's a foot on the ladder, more people will know our name after this."

WGC plumbing service Plumbsense collected two awards, finishing runner-up in the Service Excellence Award, but winning the Fair Trading Category.

Employee of the Year went to IT manager Russell Stenson, from Howlands, WGC.

The 26-year-old was a baker at Morrisons just two years ago, but now heads up an entire division at IT support company ITBuilder.

"It came as quite a shock," he said.

"I didn't expect to win; in my view, I was just doing my job."

Elsewhere, The Staff and Training Development Award went to ventilation and air conditioning firm DS Ducts, from WGC.

Although it wasn't to be for WGC-based Sports Xtra in the Enterprising Business Category, managing director Gareth Lippiatt said: "It was a great experience, and while we're obviously disappointed we didn't win, we'll definitely be entering again next year."

Full list of nominees:

Best E-Business

Trade Frame Solutions (Winner)

Beaver Solutions (Runner-up)

Masters Direct Pharmacy

Pointlogic UK

Recent Graduate Award

The Recovery In-Sight Centre (Winner)

Findmyhouse (R/U)

The GradRoom

Wild Wolf

Environmental Responsibility

Chelsfield Solar Ltd (W)

Environmental Population (R/U)

Investors in Training

Hunterlodge (W)

Masters Pharmaceuticals (R/U)

Arch Gardening

Employee of the Year

Russell Stenson - ITBuilder (W)

Helen Jones - Red and Blue Ltd (R/U)

Staff Training & Development

DS Ducts (W)

Manage Care Homes Ltd (R/U)

Swan Fostering

AOS Heating

Service Excellence

Hertfordshire Wedding Cars (W)

Plumbsense (R/U)

JTM Services

Five Go Live

Best New Business

Wildchild Activities (W)

Stomor (R/U)

Environmental Population

Smith &Coburn

Fair Trading

Plumbsense (W)

LC & Associates (R/U)

Lanwarne Landscapes

Allen Home Improvements

Enterprising Business

Global Infusion Group (W)

Scene2 (R/U)

O'Neill Enterprises

Sports Xtra

Small Business of the Year

Global Infusion