Andy's Kars named one of 'Best in Britain' in Remploy's prestigious Leading the way awards

Andy Kent, receiving his award from Richard Farleigh

A Bar Hill privately owned and managed garage is celebrating today after beating off the challenge of hundreds of entrants to be named one of the best of British at the final of Remploy's 11th annual Leading the Way awards.

Andy's Kars on Viking Way won the 'small business' category at the final in London and was presented with the coveted award by entrepreneur and former Dragon's Den TV show 'dragon' Richard Farleigh.

Remploy is the country's leading provider of employment services for disabled people and the prestigious awards, run this year in association with The Times, recognise outstanding employers and individuals who have made significant efforts to actively encourage diversity within their organisations.

Andy's Kars was one of eight businesses and individuals honoured at the awards final held at the Victoria Plaza hotel in London on 15 October 2007, and proprietor Andy Kent was delighted to have come out top of entrants from across Britain.

"This award is in recognition of the way we adjust our work ethics and environment to suit our employees' needs," said Mr Kent. "This award is about how we put the effort in as a team and work together and the way we see the person, not the disability.

"We would like to thank the Job Centre for nominating us, and Remploy for rewarding us for the work we do," he said.

Remploy chief executive Bob Warner said in announcing the award that the judges had chosen Andy's Kars because their commitment to employing and developing disabled people was outstanding. "As a small business in a challenging industry sector, their understanding of disabled people's needs and their response to meeting those needs was considered exceptional," he said. "There is no doubt that Andy Kent and his business are Leading the Way, not only in the employment of disabled people, but also by helping young disabled people gain the skills they need through work placements and voluntary training."

The initial contenders were whittled down to an early shortlist and then six regional finals earlier this month narrowed the field down even further but Andy's Kars took the small business category in the Midlands region to qualify for the national final.

Apart from the small business category (up to 100 employees) won by Andy's Kars, awards were also on offer to businesses in five other categories, namely for:

• Learning
• Retention
• Innovation
• Medium businesses/organisation (101 - 1,000 employees)
• Large businesses/organisation (more than 1,000 employees).

Separate awards were also made to the Outstanding Business Individual and to the Outstanding Jobcentre Plus Individual of the year.

Richard Farleigh told guests that it made business sense for companies to be inclusive and a caring working environment generated respect.

He added, "We should be looking at all angles to get the right people. It is the mark of a good business that it is able to do that."

Bob Warner told the audience at the awards, "It is always a privilege to applaud those businesses and individuals that go the extra mile in the employment of disabled people.

"Thanks to the example that many of you in this room have set, more employers are understanding the benefits of employing disabled people and helping to create a level playing field for disabled job seekers."