PSP companies recognised at prestigious business awards

Leading high-tech companies, based at Plymouth Science Park, are celebrating following the recognition of their ongoing successes at the Western Morning News Business Awards.

Staff at Pixalytics, Sponge UK, Microtest and Kovia were among the firms singled out for their excellence in a number of key areas.

Microtest is delighted to have been named a Finalist in the WMN Business Awards 2018.

It’s one of only four IT suppliers contracted to provide clinical systems to GP surgeries in the NHS in England.

The company has recently won a contract to supply clinical systems to GP surgeries in Wales.

It employs nearly a hundred staff at its office in Bodmin and also at its development centre in Plymouth Science Park.

“This is recognition of the fantastic work of all our staff as well as our commitment to innovation and outstanding customer service,” says Chris Netherton, the company’s Managing Director.

Its clinical system, entitled ‘Open Evolution,’ is currently undergoing a transformation to become web-based.

“We believe that new Open Evolution will be the most future-proof clinical system available in the UK,” explains Chris.

Sponge's founder and managing director, Louise Pasterfield, said: "Last month gave us real reason to celebrate; we won four awards at three ceremonies over two nights!”

“Our winning streak began with scooping a silver award for Learning Technologies Best Company of the Year – the UK learning industry's most coveted award."

"This was immediately followed by winning the Best Technological or Creative Business award, as well as being highly commended as Exporter of the Year, at the Western Morning News Business Awards.”

“On the same night, our marketing team were praised for their creativity, winning silver for Best Limited-Budget Campaign at the B2B Marketing International Awards."

"It really is thanks to our amazing people and supportive clients that we've come so far.”

“We continue to see strong demand and opportunities for growth in both the UK and overseas."

"In the next five years, we expect to be a global leader in the industry, employing 300 people in offices in the UK, Europe and the USA.”

“To achieve these ambitious expansion goals, we need the very best talent; we are currently looking for more than 30 people to fill over 20 different job roles, based out of our Plymouth office, one of our four UK and Ireland offices, or remotely."

"We'd encourage any talented individuals that want to be part of our rapidly expanding and award-winning team to check out our current vacancies page."

Kovia is a specialist UKAS-accredited asbestos consultancy that carries out asbestos surveys, fire risk assessments and legionella testing.

Its primary task is to inspect buildings to ensure they are safe for occupants and workers alike and to assist building owners and duty-holders to remain compliant with current regulations.

The company started five years ago in Plymouth as a team of three and it’s grown year-on-year to become a multi-office, major regional service provider within its sector.

"We are extremely proud of the whole team at Kovia for being one of only four finalists in the 'Small Business of the Year' category at the Western Morning News Business Awards this year,” says David Young, Director of Kovia Asbestos Consultancy.

“It was a fantastic night to celebrate the best businesses across the South West and we were delighted to be a part of it.”

“Our aim is to significantly raise the profile of asbestos safety, which sadly is often lagging behind other areas of compliance."

"As Britain's biggest workplace killer, we hope to assist with asbestos identification, management and education for those occupying and working in buildings constructed before the year 2000, in order to keep people safe.”

“Over the next few years, we hope to continue our success and progression to grow into a national consultancy."

Pixalytics Ltd is an independent Earth Observation (EO) company which specialises in satellite remote sensing.

At the Western Morning News Business Awards, the team found themselves as a Small Business of the Year Finalist and were Highly Commended in the Best Technological or Creative category.

The company works with the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency and NASA.

It combines cutting edge scientific knowledge with algorithms and data to help clients answer questions about what is happening on the planet, under the ocean and in the atmosphere.

"We were delighted with both of our nominations. Being Highly Commended for the Best Technological or Creative Business was a fantastic surprise on the night, with all the other great tech and creative companies in the Devon and Cornwall," said Andrew Lavender, Director at Pixalytics.

"We're currently expanding, and in 2019 want to launch the Pixalytics Portal to offer affordable specialist satellite data products to anyone without needing any specialist knowledge."

"We hope to encourage more businesses to have a look and see what satellite data can do for them."