TV and radio presenter Jamie Laing is to host this year’s Isle of Wight Chamber Business Awards, it has been announced.
The annual awards ceremony is the most important night in the Island’s business calendar and is presented with WRS as headline sponsor for the first time.
The shortlist features 40 Island businesses recognised in 59 nominations – including Island Echo, with nominations for both Growth Business of the Year and Entrepreneur Award.
As a charismatic figure on British television and radio, Jamie has built a successful career in entertainment and entrepreneurship. Jamie rose to fame for his role on hit TV show, ‘Made in Chelsea’, and he is a BBC Radio 1 presenter.
The news that he is to host May’s glitz and glam ceremony comes just days after Jamie’s Comic Relief Ultra Marathon Man challenge, raising more than £2million for charity.
Jamie says:
“I’m really looking forward to hosting these prestigious awards.
“The Isle of Wight is one of my favourite places. I’ve had some great times there, including arriving on a speedboat whilst being chased by a helicopter when we were filming a TV show! As an entrepreneur and business founder myself, I love celebrating business success. We’re going to have a brilliant night.”
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David Jackson, CEO of headline sponsor WRS, says:
“We are thrilled that Jamie Laing will be hosting this year’s ceremony.
“As a renowned TV and radio personality, successful entrepreneur and podcast host, Jamie’s charisma and energy will bring something really special to the event. Jamie’s impressive business journey – from his family’s legacy with McVitie’s to founding Candy Kittens – makes him the perfect host for a night celebrating excellence. We can’t wait for what promises to be a fantastic evening!”
Jamie is joined on the line-up by singing star Kerry Ellis, widely recognised as a leading lady of West End and Broadway musicals, with starring roles in London, New York, and around the world.
Kerry was the first British Elphaba in the worldwide smash, ‘Wicked’, a role she reprised on Broadway at the Gershwin Theater. Kerry’s West End leading credits include ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Cats’, ‘Oliver!’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Miss Saigon’. Kerry has achieved chart-topping success as a recording artist signed to both Decca Records and Sony Music.
Kerry says:
“I can’t wait to perform on the Isle of Wight again, and at such an important event.
“I love spending time on the Island and I’m really looking forward to bringing the sound of Broadway and the West End to the Isle of Wight Chamber Awards. It’s a night of glamour and spectacle and the songs will match the occasion!”
Tickets are on sale now and are selling fast, with nominated businesses being prioritised in demands for tickets.
Steven Holbrook, Chief Executive of IW Chamber, adds:
“We’re thrilled to announce our strongest line-up ever for our event.
“We’ve really pulled out all the stops to raise the bar for the Island’s biggest business celebration. Bringing Jamie Laing and Kerry Ellis to our show will make for an incredible night, with huge thanks to our headline sponsors WRS for their support in making this happen.
“We’ve already sold hundreds of tickets since announcing the nominations at the beginning of the week. It’s an amazing start to the event and we can’t wait for May 9th.”
The full list of nominations can be found at
https://www.iwchamber.co.uk/news/iw-chamber-business-awards-2025-in-association-with-wrs-systems-the-nominations-are-revealed/.
I bet Jamie will be taking the biscuit
Lol, as long as it’s a Mcvitie biscuit.