A glittering gala evening was held in Folkestone on Friday April 28 to unveil the winners of the 2006 Shepway Means Business Awards.  Red Eagle won the Most Promising New Business Award, sponsored by Basepoint and the Folkestone Enterprise Agency.

Commenting on the award, judge Nick Alder said; "The judges were impressed by the considerable success of this business which began as the direct result of the two individuals involved finding that they would be out of a job due to their employers reorganisation.  This dramatic situation crystallised the individuals' minds to set up their own business based on their respective skills.  As a result of considerable hard work, very pro-active marketing and degree of luck the business has moved from an office in a spare bedroom, to a suite of offices which has doubled in size in 15 months."

"The financial results reported by the company in it's first year clearly show that the decision by the directors Wayne Hodgson and Jo-Anna Stroud to back their own judgements has been fully justified."

Red Eagle, based in Bouverie Square, was opened in December 2004 by partners Wayne Hodgson and Jo-Anna Stroud.  The couple, who live in Whitstable, both worked in recruitment agencies and decided to start their own firm as they wanted more freedom.

They now have a team of four staff, have a fast, high turnover of sales, and have won several exclusive contracts.

Wayne, 29, said; "Its the first time we have entered the awards and decided to do so as the company is doing really well due to our own individual style."  "We have tried to take a fresh approach to the industry, including saving customers money, improving service level expectations and increasing benefits and pay to temporary staff."