South London businesses scoop prizes at awards ceremony
By Charlie Parry
Two young businesses have swum against the tide of 2020 and bagged awards for their troubles.
At this year’s Lloyds Bank National Business Award, Deirdre McGettrick from Woolwich, and Giles Humphries from Wandsworth, were recognised as two of the country’s finest new business owners.
Deirdre took home the New Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her online furniture retail aggregator website ufurnish.com.
After struggling to furnish her first home, she noticed a gap in the market for a website that showcases furniture from multiple retailers.
There are now more than 100 shops and suppliers working with her website that does just that.
Deirdre said: “I am absolutely humbled to have received the Lloyds Bank National Business Award. It’s an amazing recognition of all the hard work and passion that the whole ufurnish.com team has put into creating the business.”
“This year has been a challenging year for everybody, and we are super proud of the fact that we have been able to create and grow a business that aims to revolutionise the home furniture and furnishings industry from a digital perspective.”
Giles’ healthy recipe box delivery service Mindful Chef was presented the Lloyds Bank Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.
The company has gone from a non-start five years ago to now delivering more than 30,000 nutritional recipe boxes a week.
The firm has just donated its five millionth free school meal to a child in poverty.
Giles said: “We are really pleased to be winners at this year’s awards. The team has worked exceptionally hard these past 12 months and we are extremely proud to see all their efforts recognised by the judges.”
The pair took part in a virtual online ceremony attended by special guests including Lewis Hamilton, Dame Joanna Lumley, Ruby Wax, Baroness Karren Brady and Kate Garraway.
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards programme is the UK’s most prestigious independent business recognition platform with particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business.
Pictured top: Mindful Chef Co-founders Myles and Giles
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