Olympic sailor Shirley Robertson to host IW Chamber Business Awards

The IW Chamber Business Awards 2024, sponsored by WightFibre, will be presented on Friday May 10^th.

This year 42 exceptional Island businesses are up for the Island’s most prestigious awards, with a shortlist of nominees that reflects a wide range of size and sectors, from new start-ups to long established and well-known names.

The ceremony will be hosted by double Olympic gold medal winning sailor Shirley Robertson OBE, who has been an Island resident for more than 20 years, and is a highly experienced international TV presenter and event host.

Holbrook: Competitive, but collective spirit
The ceremony will take place at Cowes Yacht Haven, with entertainment, a three course dinner and an after-show party, as the Chamber’s Steven Holbrook explains.

“Our awards night is the pinnacle for many Island businesses. Our judging process is exemplary and wholly impartial, drawn from a panel of independent business experts, many of whom are based on the mainland and some internationally.
“Our winners will know that they are the best in their field and they have won based entirely on their entry and the strength of their submission. Massive congratulations to all of our nominees.
“As well as shining a spotlight on the best in business, our other job is to provide a fabulous evening where the Island’s business community can celebrate in each other’s success.
“Of course events like this are competitive, but there’s a huge collective spirit too. Our awards night is all about fun, celebration, and a party for all of our nominees and winners.”

Irvine: Actively celebrate excellence, innovation, and resilience
The Chamber Awards event is once again supported by WightFibre as headline sponsor. WightFibre’s CEO John Irvine explains why.

“By sponsoring the IW Chamber Business Awards, for the third consecutive year, we actively celebrate excellence, innovation, and resilience within our Island business community.
“We firmly believe that thriving businesses contribute to a vibrant economy. Through our sponsorship, the event hopes to empower entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies to reach new heights. Their success fuels the Island’s prosperity. Their adaptability and determination inspires us all.”

Olympic host
This year the bespoke glass statues will be handed out by host Shirley Robertson, who combines being an Island resident with a world-class CV. In becoming the first ever British woman to win Olympic Gold Medals at consecutive Olympic Games, Shirley Robertson OBE was until recently, the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time.

Since that remarkable feat, Shirley has become one of the most recognisable faces in sailing, travelling the globe as a competitor and broadcaster for channels including the BBC and CNN. Shirley is a highly sought-after and experienced event host, presenting awards ceremonies at exclusive events around the globe.

Shirley says,

“I’ve lived on the Island for more than two decades and I’m still constantly impressed by the flair and ingenuity of the Island’s business community.
“I’m thrilled to be helping you all celebrate, and to shine a light on the many successful and inspirational businesses that call the Island their home. I’m so excited to be part of this highly prestigious evening. It’s going to be a great night and I can’t wait!”

The nominations in full are:

Start Up Business of the Year – sponsored by PC Consultants