Wightlink provide an award-winning ferry service between the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, bringing 4.2 million people together every year.

With three convenient routes and eight well-equipped ferries, we connect you with loved ones, business meetings, holidays, tradespeople, festivals, deliveries, wildlife and everything in between.

We’re true believers that your getaway starts on board, which is why we’ve fitted our ferries to the highest standards. Relax under the warm Solent sun on our outside decks, let the kids roam free in our play areas and taste some of the Isle of Wight’s finest food and drink in our cafés.

Portsmouth City Council is once again excited to be sponsoring the Small Business of the Year award. Our priority is to strengthen Portsmouth's economy. We run the Portsmouth Business Support Service to help your business start, grow and survive. We provide comprehensive business support, mentoring, access to funding, data and training and deliver programmes to support skills development. https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/business/business-support/

PETA Ltd is an award-winning corporate training and apprenticeships provider based in
Northarbour Road, Cosham.
PETA Ltd is a registered charity and has been a leading training provider and apprenticeship provider
in Hampshire for more than 50 years.
Initially set up by business owner Alex Zemenides, who
identified a lack of training opportunities for his employees and other young people in the local area,
PETA was originally known as the Portsmouth Engineering Training Association.
We are still proud of our roots in engineering with our dedicated centre in Havant providing
engineering training courses and apprenticeships, however over the years PETA has expanded to
offer services within Health & Safety, Lift Truck, IT & Digital and Business, Management & Leadership
and Personal Skills development.
We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services to our customers aligning with our tagline
“Aspire to Learn, Apply to Advance”. Our quality provision has been recognised by the UK’s leading
awarding bodies and a full list of our certified standards can be found here.
In addition to providing the courses that are listed in our directory, PETA offers agility and
adaptability offering bespoke training courses tailored to the specific needs and availability of our
customers’ business. We have a vast range of facilities on-site to provide training and offer the
flexibility to deliver courses at the clients’ premises if required.
As an apprenticeship provider, we work closely with employers to identify which programme best
fits their needs, find the best suited candidates, and provide support and guidance throughout the
recruitment process. Similarly, with apprentices, we deliver impartial guidance to raise awareness of
apprenticeships amongst schools through various outreach activities, and support learners for the
duration of their apprenticeships and beyond.
PETA has a membership structure, and we are proud to partner with so many local and international
businesses who have experienced first-hand the benefits of choosing us as their preferred training
provider.
Our membership base of 250+ small to large businesses receive discounted rates on courses, and
have the opportunity to put themselves forward to sit on our board of councillors, holding an
influential role in the future of PETA and ultimately the future of training provision for businesses
and apprentices across the region.

Ambassadors undertake their role (on a voluntary basis) by supporting and influencing a wide range of key stakeholders including schools, colleges, employers and their supply chains, trade associations and employment bodies. They champion and support marketing, publicity and events to raise awareness of apprenticeships and also mentor other employers.

The SEAAN is one of nine similar networks across the country. There are also Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Networks (YAAN) attached to each AAN to promote Apprenticeships to young people. The YAAN in the South East is well established.

The Guildhall Trust is delighted to once again support ‘The News Business Excellence Awards’ and for Portsmouth Guildhall to be the host venue of the prestigious awards ceremony.

We are proud to be a part of the Portsmouth business community and look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of all businesses and professional individuals nominated this year.

Find out more about Conferencing and Occasions at Portsmouth Guildhall and how your business can collaborate with The Guildhall Trust at:

www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk