Hertsmere’s Labour-led council has celebrated the outstanding achievements of local businesses at the inaugural Council Leader’s Business Awards, highlighting the borough’s growing economy and the administration’s commitment to supporting enterprise, investment and job creation.
Hosted by Labour Leader of the Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, at Boreham Wood Football Club on Monday 12 October, the event brought together businesses from across the borough to recognise entrepreneurial ambition, innovation and the enormous contribution local businesses make to Hertsmere’s communities.
When Labour took the leadership of Hertsmere Borough Council in 2023, following 24 years of Conservative control, the new Labour-led partnership administration pledged to champion local businesses, attract investment, nurture enterprise and create the conditions for sustainable economic growth.
Three years on, Hertsmere has been recognised as the UK’s number one new business hotspot outside London, with almost 900 new businesses established in the borough in a single year.
Business turnover across Hertsmere reached £20.4 billion last year, an increase of 19 per cent on the previous year, according to figures published by the council.
The administration has continued to prioritise economic development, backing business support and training, encouraging investment in town centres, strengthening links with local employers and championing Hertsmere’s internationally recognised film and television industries.
The council’s approach also complements the Labour Government’s national growth ambitions, particularly its Industrial Strategy, which identifies the creative industries as one of eight priority sectors for economic growth.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Leader of the Hertsmere Labour & Co-operative Group, said:
“When Labour took the leadership of Hertsmere in 2023, we made a very clear commitment. We would champion our local businesses, nurture enterprise, attract investment and make economic growth a central priority of our administration.
“We understood then, as we do now, that a thriving local economy is fundamental to a successful borough. Businesses create employment, generate opportunity, support our communities and provide the foundations upon which so much else depends.
“Being recognised as the UK’s leading new business hotspot outside London is an extraordinary achievement, first and foremost for the entrepreneurs, employers and business owners who make Hertsmere such a successful place to do business.
“But local government has an important role to play too. Our responsibility is to create the conditions in which businesses can flourish, and that is precisely what we have sought to do.
“Working alongside our colleagues in the Labour Government, and building on its national ambitions for growth, we want to ensure Hertsmere is at the forefront of new opportunities for investment, innovation and employment.
“Monday’s awards were about recognising the people behind that success. The extraordinary entrepreneurs, the innovators, the employers and the people who take risks, work incredibly hard and contribute so much to the life of our borough.
“These winners represent just a small part of an enormously successful and diverse business community, and every one of them deserves our congratulations.
“For me, that is what Labour’s approach to economic development is about. Not simply talking about growth, but working with businesses, investing in opportunity and ensuring that economic success benefits our communities.
“We have achieved a great deal, but our ambitions certainly don’t stop here. Having been named the number one business hotspot outside London, our next challenge is to lose those final two words and become number one in the country.”
Celebrating Hertsmere’s business champions
Seven awards were presented during the evening, recognising excellence across a wide range of sectors.
- Council Leader’s Business Growth Award: Kingbee Animation
- Council Leader’s Emerging Business Award: Roaming Roast
- Council Leader’s Innovation & Enterprise Award: London Elstree Aerodrome
- Council Leader’s Creative Industries Recognition Award: Interactive Imagination
- Council Leader’s SME Networking Support Award: BNI Bentley
- Council Leader’s Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership Award: Hatch
- Council Leader’s Business of the Year: Sky Studios Elstree
The awards highlighted not only Hertsmere’s major employers and internationally recognised creative industries, but also the smaller businesses, growing enterprises and business networks that collectively underpin the borough’s economic success.
The inaugural celebration was delivered by Hertsmere Borough Council’s officers, reflecting the continuing work of its Economic Development Team to support local businesses through advice, training, networking, partnerships and opportunities for growth.
For Hertsmere’s Labour-led administration, the evening provided an opportunity both to recognise the achievements of the borough’s businesses and to reaffirm its commitment to supporting economic growth in the years ahead.