Luxury For Less has been revealed as a 2012 National Business Awards in partnership with Orange winner. The business was revealed as the Small Online Business of the Year, at the gala dinner hosted by Sky News presenter Jeff Randall.
Luxury For Less, based in Coventry, is a leading multi-channel online retailer of bathroom equipment, furniture and accessories and supplies direct to the public via its website BathEmpire.com and to the trade through its Kirby Sebastian brand.
The National Business Awards judges said: “Led by an inspirational, dynamic, driven and utterly focused leader, Luxury for Less has developed a multi-channel model that is delivering outstanding and profitable growth.”
Chris Li, founder and CEO of Luxury For Less, said: “We are thrilled to have won such a prestigious award. Luxury For Less has enjoyed phenomenal growth since being founded in 2006 and it is a huge honour for our success in developing it as a leading online bathroom specialist to be recognised by the National Business Awards.”
The eleventh annual National Business Awards were opened with a video address from the Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander also addressed the 1200 business leaders. Other influential attendees included Sir Roger Carr, Chairman of Centrica and president of the CBI and Chair of Judges, Baroness Virginia Bottomley.
Phil Smith, CEO, Cisco UK and Ireland was honoured with the prestigious Orange Leader of the Year Award, an award decided by a combination of public vote and a ballot from a panel of 35 senior executives from across the business community. Kate Swann, CEO, WH Smith received the Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business for her distinguished career leading retail businesses and turning round WH Smith’s fortunes. Other winners include Shutl, the web service who organise immediate and convenient delivery of online shopping, who took home the Start-Up Business of the Year Award, with judges commenting that they have been setting new standards for delivery and service in its sector.
Ella’s Kitchen, producers of organic baby and toddler food were awarded the 3i International Growth Business of the Year and registered charity, London Early Years Foundation won the Transformational Change of the Year award for turning a vulnerable charity into a financially secure social enterprise.
Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards said: “Attracting household names, and those aspiring to be; the National Business Awards are the accolade of choice for those seeking the highest recognition – whether it’s to attract talent, investment, new customers or media attention.”