Left to right: Tim Marsh, Digby Jones and Pat Oakley. Mr Marsh and Mr Oakley collect the the inaugural international award in the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Two Kent businesses have triumphed in national awards.

Reeves & Neylan, the century-old accounting business with offices in Chatham, Canterbury, Dover, Gatwick and London has been named Best Large Firm of the Year in the Accountancy Age Awards.

And the founders of Power Cable Services, Gravesend - Tim Marsh, Pat Oakley and Colin Bagge - have won the inaugural international award in the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.

Rory Bremner presented the Reeves & Neylan accolade to partners and staff at a ceremony in London’s Battersea Park Arena. The firm saw off competition from major practices nationwide. The firm has previously been named best tax practice in the LexisNexis UK Tax Awards.

The judges said the firm was "responsive, client-focused and able to meet clients’ diverse needs with a range of innovative and unique services whilst providing exceptional client service".

Managing partner Clive Stevens said: "Our awards success shows that it is not necessary to go to a Big 4 accounting firm to obtain first class technical advice, with outstanding client service and delivery."

Mr Marsh, Mr Oakley and Mr Bagge won £10,000 and other prizes in kind. Stars from business, including Duncan Bannatyne from BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den, were in the audience at a gala dinner in London’s InterContinental Hotel.

The trio set up Power CSL to meet the growing demand for specialist engineering services in the subsea power cable industry. The company provides consultancy support, engineering services and products to the offshore renewable energy, oil and gas sectors. The company is involved in the offshore renewable energy sector and supplies offshore wind, wave and tidal energy developers.

Huw Morgan, head of HSBC Business Banking, said: "Over the past nine years the HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards have made a name for themselves by spotting exciting new businesses with a difference.

"That's why we have expanded this year's competition to include a new International Award, which recognises those companies that have expanded their business into international markets.

"Power Cable Services is an outstanding example and hopefully its success will be an inspiration to other start-up businesses."