Marine surveyors land Innovation & Technology title.
Global marine surveyors Rovco have been crowned winners in the Innovation & Technology category at the 2020 South West Business Leader Awards.
Rovco, which provides remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and hydrographic services to the UK and international offshore energy industry, collected the top prize at a virtual ceremony following an intensive assessment by a team of independent judges.
They emerged victorious from a shortlist which also included not-for-profit research body The Centre for Modelling & Simulation, software developers Amdaris, business management consultants Intouch With Health, video technology and AI specialists One Big Circle and agri-tech providers LettUs Grow.
It follows a two-month scoring and critiquing exercise carried out by a judging panel featuring Kate Westbrook, partner and head of commercial at Thrings, who sponsored the Innovation & Technology award.
The win caps a remarkable period for the Bristol-headquartered company which was founded in 2015 and currently employs 53 staff.
Last December Rovco launched SubSLAM Live, the world’s first 3D streaming technology which allows users to video and live stream 3D underwater data to any location in the world. Earlier this year, meanwhile, the company expanded its UK footprint by opening a new office in Edinburgh.
The South West Business Leader Awards - organised by Business Leader - bring together leaders in business, education and government to recognise and celebrate business success, supported by professionals and advisors from across the region.
Organisers received a record number of entries from South West businesses who were competing in a total of sixteen categories, including family business of the year, advisory firm of the year, customer excellence award and Covid-19 business hero.
Kate Westbrook said: “Thrings would like to congratulate Rovco, an exciting, dynamic business which over the past five years has delivered on its mission statement, namely to provide individual, client-centric ROV and hydrographic services and cutting-edge technology which changes the face of the energy sector.
“The standard of entries for the Innovation & Technology award this year was exceptionally high, and I would like to congratulate the finalists for making the judges’ task so tough. All six companies presented compelling stories and provided fantastic examples of how their products or services are having a positive impact on, and contributing to, the continued growth of our region.”
In early 2021 - and subject to Covid restrictions - organisers are aiming to bring together finalists, winners and sponsors of this year’s South West Business Leader Awards for a celebration dinner. For more information, please visit www.blawards.co.uk.
