Community businesses celebrated at Work Avenue Business Awards 2024

A digital estate planning company has been named as the community’s Business of the Year at the Work Avenue Business Awards 2024.

Stephen Moses, of Zenplans, picked up the prestigious top prize at the ceremony – which celebrates the excellence, innovation and spirit of enterprise within the community.

Zenplans was created in 2019, after a discussion between Stephen and his dad about what would happen if his father were to die and their realisation of how hard it is to track and access everything that exists.

Building the business in Work Avenue’s co-working space, WE Hub, Zenplans helps advisers organise all their clients’ vital documentation and information into a single secure digital estate plan, which can then be shared with nominated individuals to ensure everything is accessible when it’s needed most.

With the ceremony also taking place inside WE Hub, in Finchley, Stephen said: “It is really amazing to receive this award, standing right here where we started five years ago.

“We began with an idea on a piece of paper, and Work Avenue and the network created at WE Hub, helped turn it into a reality. This place really does incredible things for our community.”

Jewish Blind & Disabled was named Charity Employer of the Year, winning the brand new award which was created to recognise the positive impact which charities play in providing stable, secure and supportive employment opportunities.

Receiving the trophy, Jewish Blind & Disabled Chief Executive Lisa Wimborne said: “I pick this up not for myself, but for our amazing, dedicated 60-strong workforce – who do such an incredible job in a time of ever-growing demand for our services.

“Our staff retention last year was over 95% and it is because of them that our charity is the organisation it is today, providing person-centred support services for the tenants that we house and people living in their own homes.”

Work Avenue – the community’s leading employment and business support organisation – received a record 110 nominations for this year’s awards.

The most popular category was Micro Business of the Year, open to any company with less than five employees. It was won by the AI training and consultancy firm Hartz AI, another to have benefitted from Work Avenue’s support.

Founder and CEO Craig Hartzel said: “I actually fell into this business when Work Avenue asked me to talk at one of their events about AI… and that’s how Hartz AI was born.

“Work Avenue is the most amazing organisation, where everyone is so supportive – from their team of advisers to the rest of the staff to the other members and clients. I would highly recommend them to anyone starting a business and looking for advice, support and/or a place to work.”

The Freelancer of the Year award went to Vickie Prais, a human rights lawyer and consultant helping organisations and civil society put human rights first.

She said: “I love the work that I do, so to see it honoured in this way is very special. I genuinely believe there is a place for everybody in the human rights world, it just takes a bit of coverage and resilience to get there.”

The final award was for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, celebrating those under 30 who are building and leading growing and dynamic businesses.

A closely fought category was won by Dan Kraines and Scott Hircombe, of Paramater, the marketing agency they created during the pandemic to push the boundaries of what brands can achieve.

They said: “Like many others, we found ourselves in lockdown with no money and not a lot to do. It was Work Avenue who helped us to set up Paramater and gave us the support and confidence we needed to get going.

“They have been instrumental in everything we have done and got us to the point where we are growing our team, growing our client base and moving into new offices. We still have a long way to go, but we are so grateful for all the help that we have received!”

The Work Avenue Business Awards launched in 2018 and honours businesses from across the entire community and all around the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, the charity’s CEO Debbie Lebrett said: “For more than 18 years, Work Avenue has been committed to one overriding mission: empowering individuals to earn a living with dignity. Whether through securing employment or launching their own businesses, we provide the tools, training and support to make dreams a reality.

“A huge thank you to everyone who nominated a business or charity for these awards, our stellar panel of judges, the many hardworking individuals who have made tonight a success and the generosity of our sponsors.

“Our finalists and winners represent the very best of our community, from a truly outstanding pool of contenders.”

ABOUT WORK AVENUE:

Work Avenue is the community’s leading employment and business support organisation, working across the Jewish community helping people to earn a living either through getting a job or starting a business, regardless of their age or life stage. We touch the lives of over 2,000 people each year.  Work Avenue opened the community’s first Employment and Business Hub in 2016, comprising offices, meeting rooms, shared work-space, training rooms and a café.  Work Avenue aims to put the importance of helping people into jobs and sustainable employment firmly on the map and at the forefront of our minds as a community.

For further information, please contact Jo Diamon on jo@theworkavenue.org.uk or 020 8371 3280.