Outstanding private businesses in the UK, such as FoundOcean Group, a firm that works in the offshore energy and salvage sector, have been honoured at an annual awards gala event in London’s Guildhall sponsored by HSBC Private Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Numis.

Outstanding private businesses in the UK, such as FoundOcean Group, a firm that works in the offshore energy and salvage sector, have been honoured at an annual awards gala event in London’s Guildhall sponsored by HSBC Private Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Numis.

FoundOcean won the “Private Business of the Year” award. This firm has “grouted” more than 600 offshore energy projects since it was established in 1966. Its revenue growth impressed the judges, surging by almost 800 per cent between 2010 and 2013. The company recently opened new offices in Houston and Dubai and was a major force in raising the stricken passenger liner Costa Concordia in Italy; it designed and built a 20,000 tonne artificial seabed of over 1,500 grout bags, onto which the wreck was rolled.

As privately-run businesses and entrepreneurs are typically a strong target market for wealth managers, banks such as HSBC and others have sought to champion, and highlight, outstanding practitioners in the field in recent years, such as through awards events.

“Private business is a powerful engine of the UK economy, driving growth, employment, wealth creation and prosperity. As the only national awards in the UK entirely focused on private business, it’s fitting that we recognise the long-term vision and ethos shared by many private enterprises of building something better for future generations,” Charlie Hoffman, Managing Director, HSBC Private Bank (UK) Ltd, said.

LIFESAVER Systems is "Social Enterprise Business of the Year". LIFESAVER was founded in 2007 by Michael Pritchard to end water poverty and it has pioneered an innovative nano-filtration technology that removes bacteria, parasites, viruses and cysts; instantly transforming dirty water into sterile drinking water without the need for chemicals, power or UV light.

Peer-to-peer lender Zopa picked up an award for "Venture Capital-Backed Business of the Year". In the nine years since raising money from Benchmark Capital (now Balderton) and Wellington Partners, Zopa has grown rapidly, lending over half a billion pounds in the past 12 months alone.

Kirit Patel was named "CEO of the Year". The pharmacy chain and pharmaceutical distribution boss of Day Lewis oversees an organisation with over £200 million ($324.9 million) annual sales, employing 1,800 people. Some 38 years ago, Kirit bought his first two shops on the same day. He now oversees 220 pharmacies.

"Private Business Woman of the Year" was Julie Kenny of Secure Holdings. Julie founded the company in 1986 with £28,500 equity from the sale of her home and went on to develop the world’s smallest passive infra-red detector. The company now has a turnover of £18 million. She works hard in a number of external roles to open others’ eyes to the possibilities of business.

The Knowledge Academy was joint winner of "Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year". Husband and wife team Dilshad and Barinder Hothi identified a gap in the market at the bottom of the downturn and their rapidly growing business now provides IT and project management training services in over 158 countries, operating though 12 subsidiaries.

Joint winners in this category were twin brothers Richard and Anthony Joseph, of Joseph Joseph – makers of glass chopping boards and one of the fastest growing names in the worldwide homeware market.

The Genuine Gemstone Company was named "International Business of the Year". This gem and media business facets gems in its own facility in India, sets them in gold and silver designs, then sells them via various internet sites and its own 24-hour TV channels. The rapidly growing business now operates in 21 markets, including the US.

"Family Business of the Year" was won by The Entertainer. Husband and wife team Gary and Catherine Grant opened their first toyshop in Amersham in 1981 and have since grown to become the UK’s biggest independent toy retailer with over 90 stores today.

"High Growth Business of the Year" is Reading-based professional services outfit, Huntswood.
Subsea specialist, Viper Subsea, was awarded a Diamond for Technology Innovation of the Year. Established in 2007 with £45,000 of initial working capital, the company has continually invested in R&D (R&D is currently 20 per cent of revenue) which has resulted in 14 patent filings and a range of products now being delivered to the global subsea oil and gas industry.