Home > The Business Buzz Awards 2024
The 2024 Business Buzz National Awards recognised some of the outstanding talent that have made an impact in the Buzz community this year.
With over 1200 businesses walking through the doors each month supported by a team of 120+ individuals made up of Regional Leads, Hosts and Ambassadors there is no doubt that Business Buzz is already having an impact and contributing to the success of many small businesses that are the life blood of the UK.
We would like to thank everyone who got involved in this year’s National Awards, from the individuals that took time to submit entries, to our fantastic judging panel and sponsors, and to the attendees on the night who celebrated with us at the Buzz Ball!
Congratulations to all the Finalists, Judges Commendations and Overall Winners of each the ten categories.
Sponsored by Kirsop of Milton Keynes, Health and Safety Ltd.
Each venue that welcomes a monthly Buzz event plays an integral part of our success, done well, the benefit of opening their doors to the local businesses through Buzz can help them to attract new customers and bring them into the heart of the community.
Business Buzz recognises and values the importance of them all but some really do engage on a much deeper level and celebrate them with this award.
Finalists in this category
The Distillery, Leicester
Slug and Lettuce, Chelmsford
Mackenzie’s, Swindon
The Plough, Cambridge Buzz
Judges Commendation Award
Chaophraya, Birmingham – for Birmingham Buzz
Overall Winner
The Globe, Warwick – for Warwick Buzz
Sponsored by Nickel Design
With Buzz Hosts covering 54 towns, there are so many to choose from; Business Buzz only works with great people so this was a particularly challenging category to judge!
This is not just a popularity contest, we wanted to know exactly why YOUR Host deserved recognition for going above and beyond, this was then sense checked against Event Excellence criteria. The judging panel were looking at all things for this award, including marketing activities, local support outside of our events for the benefit of the local community.
Finalists in this category
Chris Baddeley, Southend Buzz
Sharon Smits, Thame Buzz
Adrian Croft, Market Harborough Buzz
Judges Commendation
Nigel Webb, Dunstable Buzz
Overall Winner
Jennifer Williams, Bicester Buzz
Sponsored by Face to Face HR Swindon
With an average of 2 Ambassadors in each location we currently have 88 in the team!
We hope you agree that ALL our Ambassadors play a key role in supporting our events, from assisting attendees on the welcome desk, supporting first time visitors, making introductions, and bringing new people along to our events.
Finalists in this category
Derek Hettenbach, Banbury Buzz
John Ballard, Guildford Buzz
Shaun Phillips, St Albans Buzz
Judges Commendation
Nicola Collard, Dunstable Buzz
Overall Winner
Melissa Wright, Lutterworth Buzz
Sponsored by Truesilver Marketing Ltd
Business Buzz is fast growing, with new people discovering our events everyday, throughout 2024 not only have 15 Buzz events launched in new town locations we have also welcomed a total of 25 new Hosts and 48 Ambassadors to the team, so you can imagine this was a popular category for entries
Finalists in this category
Mark Gee, Coventry Buzz
Mark Franklin, Witney Buzz
Waquas Barber, Solihull Buzz
Judges Commendation
Rohan David Emmanuel
Overall Winner
Nigel Webb
Sponsored by The Horsey HR Lady
This award recognises consistent and substantial growth of a specific Buzz event in 2024, and demonstrates that teamwork really does positively impact the success of an event.
Finalists in this category
Lisa-Jane Grey, Warwick Buzz
Steph Nelson, Chipping Norton Buzz
Judges Commendation
Adam Fox, Wellingborough Buzz
Overall Winner
Stephen Spencer, Peterborough Buzz
Sponsored by Rumour Mill Creative
The Stellar Award was created to celebrate individuals, teams, or Buzz events that demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and a positive impact on the community.
This category celebrates those who have inspired others, fostered collaboration and shown unwavering dedication to the Buzz network.
Finalists in this category
Waqas Barber, Ambassador Solihull
Gill Gayk, Regional Ambassador for Oxfordshire
Rachel Collar, Regional Ambassador for Warwickshire
Judges Commendation
James Brodie
Overall Winner
Rohan David Emmanuel
Sponsored by No Fluff Communications
The Buzzer of the Year Award celebrates an exceptional individual who has truly embraced the Business Buzz community and made a remarkable impact.
Following an unforgettable year, this award is for someone who has gone above and beyond, thriving within the network and exemplifying the spirit of Buzz in every way.
Finalists in this category
Will Retallick, Griffith Air Conditioning Ltd
Alex Davis, Equate Group Ltd
Glen Cammeron, FSB
Judges Commendation
Geoff Parkins, Flex IT
Overall Winner
Ian Kirsop, Kirsop of Milton Keynes Health and Safety Management Ltd.
Sponsored by Buddha Connect Ltd
The Special Recognition Award honors individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to a charity or community project. This award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to make a positive difference, demonstrating incredible dedication and impact. Open to anyone who is part of Buzz, we are proud to recognise the efforts of those whose actions have truly made the world a better place.
Finalists in this category
Hilary Nightingale, Carbon Copy Social
Martin Lewis Stephenson, Pulse Group Media
Stuart Woodrow, MTW Consultants Ltd
Judges Commendation
Claire & Graeme Love, Love Management Accounting
Overall Winner
Alex Davis, Equate Group Ltd
Sponsored By Business Buzz HQ
This award recognizes a Business Buzz group that has excelled in event excellence, judged by a combination of key metrics and recognises the group’s commitment to creating valuable connections, fostering engagement, and contributing to the overall success of the Business Buzz network.
Judges Commendation
Thame Buzz
Leicester Buzz
Overall Winner
Banbury Buzz
Sponsored By Business Buzz HQ
Overall Winner
Leigh Frost
The Buzz Legend Award recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the growth and success of Business Buzz as a network. This award celebrates someone whose dedication, vision, and commitment have helped shape the network into what it is today.
Leigh has been fundamental in the growth of Business Buzz, she was the first person to run an event and take on a license outside of Hertfordshire where it all began, and now manages 3 successful regions. She helped us develop and hone the regional model, on which business buzz has relied on to grow.
During lock down Leigh developed the idea of online speed networking which helped us bring the network together in the early days and kept everyone connected. Designed and developed our website and she does a lot behind the scenes. She has won external awards for her Buzz events and even featured on TV representing Buzz.
Leighs favourite phrase is ‘I have a great idea’ which always fills us with excitement and fear in equal measures!
This year Leigh celebrated 10 years with us, and we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to acknowledge her valuable contribution.
Want to get more involved with the Business Buzz National Ball and Awards 2025? – Get in touch!
For more information on our sponsorship packages please view our brochure here
Opening date for entries: TBC
