Which? Awards 2014 winners revealed

The best in business have been celebrated at a ceremony in central London as the Which? Awards 2014 winners were crowned.

The Which? Awards, launched in 2007, were co-hosted by TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky and Which? Group Chief Executive Peter Vicary-Smith, with a keynote speech from CBI Director-General John Cridland. The Awards publicly recognise and celebrate the very best businesses in the UK that consistently get it right for consumers.

Waitrose has been named Best Supermarket for performing consistently highly for its in store and online offerings. John Lewis, for the second year running, has won the Best Retailer award.

There were two new financial categories at this year’s Awards; one to recognise the Best Banking Brand was awarded to First Direct, with NFU Mutual the winner of Best Insurance Services Provider.

Samsung was awarded the Best Audio-Visual Brand for delivering quality and good value consistently across all its products. Newcomers Giffgaff won the Best Telecom Services Provider for offering excellent value for money.

A theme running through this year’s Which? Awards event was consumer trust. In his speech, the CBI’s John Cridland acknowledged that businesses have a huge mountain to climb to rebuild public confidence and realise their full potential; value for money, putting customers before profits, delivering what’s promised and good customer service all key to winning consumer trust.

Which? Group Chief Executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, said:

“The Which? Awards celebrate the very best of business in the UK, each year recognising those companies and individuals that consistently deliver for consumers. Good businesses are crucial to building a stronger and more sustainable economy, and Which? will continue to highlight the firms getting it right.”

CBI Director-General​, ​John Cridland, said:

“Businesses of all sizes, in all sectors and in all regions of the UK are the driving force behind our economic recovery, delivering growth and more jobs. They do this by providing excellent products and services that customers want and we should shout about their successes.

“I’m delighted to be able to support the Which? Awards to celebrate some of our leading consumer-facing businesses.”

Notes for editors:

1.    The Which? Awards 2014 winners, in full, are:

Best Car Manufacturer: Mazda

Best Banking Brand: First Direct

Best Insurance Services Provider: NFU Mutual

Best Audio-Visual Brand: Samsung

Best Photography Brand: Panasonic

Best Home Appliance Brand: Bosch

Best Telecom Services Provider: Giffgaff

Best Customer Service: Lush

Best Retailer: John Lewis

Best Computing Brand: Apple

Best Supermarket: Waitrose

Positive Change Award: Martin Wheatley, Financial Conduct Authority

2.    We recognise businesses that have achieved positive change and deliver excellent products and services that score highly in our research and testing. We award businesses across a wide range of sectors from cars to retailers, banks to home appliances and local businesses. The Which? Awards are completely independent and businesses can’t put themselves forward to win an award.​

Visit the Which? Awards website.

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