Rural businesses from across Britain are celebrating following the Rural Business Awards 2021/22 National Final. Jules Hudson, the BBC Escape to the Country presenter, once again delighted the finalists as host for the ceremony on Thursday 24th February.

Winners include Platform One, a versatile creative agency, whose experience and skills produces imaginative and cost-effective design that hits the mark.

The awards recognise and celebrate the successes and vital contributions of businesses to the UK’s rural economy, a sector which in England alone contributes £261bn to the nation’s GVA (Gross Value Added) – nearly a fifth of the country’s total economic activity. Founded by rural-based businesswomen, Jemma Clifford and Anna Price, the Rural Business Awards are backed by Amazon and judged by an independent panel of judges, drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

“At Amazon, we are thrilled to be supporting the Rural Business Awards again, as it showcases the incredible efforts, dedication and achievements of British rural businesses,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “We are committed to empowering small businesses and continue to invest in a community of successful independent sellers who sell on Amazon, helping them to grow their sales whilst making it easier for our customers to find their products. A strong sense of purpose and broader good has rung through loud and clear in so many of this year’s Rural Business Awards entries and we’ve seen many impressive initiatives make it to the finals. The national finalists should feel immensely proud of themselves, and I would like to congratulate every single winner for everything they have achieved and wish them every success for the next steps of their journey ahead.”

Twelve category winners and five additional “Triumph Over Adversity” winners, which awards those who have overcome personal or professional challenges were announced, following a record number of entrants and a competitive shortlist process, The joint winner of the Triumph Over Adversity award was Monmouthshire-based business, Platform One.

Platform One is a small creative design business with its studio on the Welsh Borders in the heart of the Wye Valley. Established by Senior Partner, David Evans in 1969, it has always had an eclectic client base and multi-disciplined portfolio, providing marketing support for businesses of all sizes. Over the past few years, heritage interpretation has become a significant part of their work; creating maps, leaflets and information panels that help tell the story of rural communities.

Recognition of the company’s ‘Triumph over Adversity’ was based on surviving three major recessions and the covid pandemic. During the lockdowns, as well as finding a way through it for their own business, the partners also supported many local businesses through their roles in Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. Sherren had been elected Chair a few months before the lockdowns started.

David Evans said “We were humbled and delighted to be awarded the ‘Triumph Under Adversity’ Award especially having seen the stories of our fellow nominees. We would like to thank Amazon and the Rural Business group for our award.

Jemma Clifford, Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, I would like to congratulate those rural businesses who have worked tirelessly throughout another challenging year. Every year, I continue to be proud and remain in awe at the high calibre of entries to the Awards and each business who was shortlisted should be very proud of reaching the National Final.”

To find out more about Platform One, go to: www.platform-one.co.uk or @platformonecreative on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. To learn about the Rural Business Group and the first Rural Business Show visit www.ruralbusinessgroup.co.uk

T: @RuralRBAs F: @ruralbusinessawards Keep up with the Twitter chatter and use #RBAs.