There were hundred of entrants from incredible businesses across Bedfordshire but there was only one winner who took the prestigious title of Business of the Year – it was iCandy from Biggleswade in Central Bedfordshire.

This category - intended to recognize business excellence in every field – and was selected by headline sponsor Barclays.

iCandy is well known internationally for their luxury nursery brand which includes their innovative, high quality pushchiars.

Business at iCandy is a family affair which started in 1933 and still continues to run their main operation from Biggleswade by brothers Bradley and Warren Appel.
 
Head of marketing at iCandy Thomas Bateman said winning Business of the Year came as a 'complete shock' to his team.

He said: "We had a lovely night, it was absolutely fantastic.

"We've had a really successful year and this was just the icing on the cake for us.

"It's a testament to the hard graft that the team has put in."He said that if he could go back and start iCandy again, he wouldn't change anything.

"It's been a really successful model, we've just gone from strength to strength really."

His advice for up-and-coming businesses is to 'work hard'.

"And I think the event showed how important networking is," he added. "The support of the community and other businesses has been really important to us."

Photo Caption: Thomas Bateman and Matt Newton, from iCandy in Biggleswade, collect their top award