A Berkhamsted company has been named the Most Promising Business in the borough.

Walk The Dog, which was founded by "dog listener" and Berkhamsted People contributor Hanne Grice (pictured), won the award on Friday (23rd October) at the 11th annual Dacorum Business Excellence Awards. 

The black tie ceremony took place at Shendish Manor.

The judging panel said: “We were very very impressed...this company demonstrated thorough market research, a clear business strategy, has achieved its objectives, and puts its customers [pets] at the heart of its business...this entry stood out from the rest."  

Walk The Dog offers personalised pet services, including dog walking, pet sitting, puppy parties, pet gifting and specialist canine behavioural advice and training.  The company currently has nearly three hundred pets registered on its books. 

Founder Hanne Grice said: “This award is the icing on the cake! The team and I work hard to deliver a quality one-to-one service that exceeds our customers’ expectations, so it’s great to receive recognition from the local community.”

This accolade is the latest in a line of gongs for Walk the Dog, who have also scooped three Special Merit awards from the National Association of Registered Pet Sitters in recognition of excellence in the field of animal care and outstanding customer service.

The Most Promising Business award invited applications from companies that are less than two years old and that have made a "positive impact" on the local business community.

Photograph: Hanne Grice with Howard the Basset Hound.