DEVON is once again proved to be one of Britain’s best areas for countryside enterprises after four of the county’s firms were named prize-winners at the Rural Business Awards, including Mike Wye and Associates Ltd, based in Beaworthy..

The Rural Business Awards are run in partnership with the CLA and actively supported by the countryside sector, as well as MPs across the country. The awards are sponsored by Janine Edwards Wealth Management Ltd, Principal Partner Practice of St James’ Place Wealth Management.

The awards were split into 13 categories with a winner, runner-up and highly commended prize in each one. Prize-winners from Devon include Mike Wye and Associates Ltd, suppliers of natural building materials, winning ‘Best Rural Manufacturing Business’, as well as Larkbeare Grange, JRM Agricultural Services and Rugged Network.

The Devon companies found out about their success at a ceremony held at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in the West Midlands on October 13.

Ryan Stokic, general manager of Mike Wye and Associates Ltd, said: “It’s fantastic. We are absolutely thrilled; it’s amazing to be amongst such a diverse group and to be rewarded for something we are passionate about is thrilling. It’s a credit to the success of the business and the team that we have got there.

“The company has grown for the past 20 or so years, and the general public are more knowledgeable these days. Sustainability and everything that we’re about at Mike Wye has been coming to the fore because people now understand the reasons behind ecology and sustainability.”

Rural Business Awards co-founder Anna Price said: “Wow, what a great set of awards for Devon. We judged Mike Wye, the winner for rural manufacturing, because we felt it was a business that was truly rural in every sense of the word, and one that served its customers very well. Not only that, Mike Wye is also making an outstanding contribution to the local rural economy by giving jobs to local people and training them well.”

Entries for the 2017 Rural Business Awards open on November 1, so any rural business that feels they deserve recognition for their achievements is advised to get in touch. For more information, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk