Wednesday 31st January marked the annual Thames Valley Business and Community Awards ceremony, celebrating the region’s most ambitious, inspirational and exciting businesses, charities and individuals.
With 14 categories up for grabs, the 2018 event saw around 300 nominations and a record-breaking 88 entrants. Among the winners, Select Car Leasing directors Mark Tongue and James O’Malley were gratefully awarded the coveted Thames Valley ‘Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award’.
The award is a testament to the huge success enjoyed by the business in the last few years and its rapid growth into one of the largest car leasing businesses in the industry. The company holds close ties to the Reading and Thames Valley area, as a key sponsor of Reading Football Club and supporter of the local Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice. In November of 2017, they opened a brand-new head office in South Reading, housing more than 100 staff and accompanying their busy shopfront at Market Place, in the heart of the town centre.
Company Director Mark Tongue said: “We are incredibly passionate about the local area, so to receive such important recognition from the community is very pleasing for us. We saw there was a significant opportunity in growing the personal car market early on, enabling so many more people to drive a brand-new car and enjoy all the benefits that it brings. We hope to build on this success in the coming years, retaining our support and continuing to play a key role in the local community”
There is a strict criteria for winners, which is reserved for local entrepreneurs who had created unique solutions to the problems they faced and put their heart and soul into making their industry better.
Christina Briggs, former Director of External Affairs at Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce was part of the judging panel and said: “Judging this year’s awards was tough. Every entry was of a very high standard and each one was unique which made the decision harder. I’m very proud of the quality of businesses that we have in this region and these awards give them the true recognition that they deserve.”
