Gravesend's Woodville Halls was a stunning backdrop for this year's theme of unmasking the winners. The theatre, dressed by John Lewis Bluewater for the evening, created an atmosphere of anticipation as the winners were read out.

This year the months of profiling the entrants, judges sifting the 27 down to 12 kept everyone on their toes and the competition was tough.

Dartford Business of the Year went to Fastrack Solutions Limited based at Admiral's Park whose unique housing programme offers landlords a comprehensive rent guarantee.The company has exceeded its own expectations in its short 18 month life

The judges decided upon a Best New Business category this year which was presented by Chamber director David Ward and went to Dartford based Mobile Bar Ltd, seen right. This company offers hospitality packages from 10 to 10,000 guests.

A special award of Business Personality of the Year went to engineer Claire Cooper who now runs her father's firm A & R Engineering based at Wilmington, Dartford. In addition to having a blue chip client base staff at A.R.Engineering Ltd of Wilmington will turn their hand to any engineering project including the local butcher's mincing machine. Claire spends a lot of time trying to persuade women to enter the engineering profession.

Gravesham Business of the Year presented by Chamber chairman Kamal Aggarwal was awarded to True Hair & Beauty based at Gravesend's Heritage Quarter. Pampering clients, giving them a very special experience has given hairdressing and beauty therapists Philip and Janes Hales an edge over their many Gravesend competitors. Despite the recession the shop has successfully expanded.

The overall winner with an outstanding pedigree was Whitecode Design Associates from West Hill, Dartford. The company also won way back in 2005 and has consistently kept looking ahead throughout the recession.The construction industry may have faltered to a full stop but this firm wasted no time in diversifying and now look after many of their clients' mothballed sites.

Charity for the evening was the Royal British Legiion and the sum of £600 was raised which will go on to help a veteran in the Dartford and Gravesham area.

Other finalists were: Pals Theatre, P 4 Parties Limited, Quay Assessment Training Limited, Springfield Education & Training, WB Services UK Ltd, Carbon Energy Solutions Ltd and Classic Education Ltd