NHS South West has been named the best employer in the region – and Crumb Rubber Ltd as the outstanding new business in Plymouth at a gala awards ceremony.

The NHS saw off competition from Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to secure the headline award at the University of Plymouth's inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Enterprise Awards.

Meanwhile, Crumb Rubber Ltd landed the outstanding new business award for Plymouth, while Bude-based furniture company Zoeftig and Co Ltd was named knowledge transfer partnership of the year.

The value of work-placements was also recognised as Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises triumphed in the placement provider of the year vote.

About 300 people attended the prestigious black tie event on the Hoe, which was also a celebration of enterprise within the university.

Sixteen awards and other commendations were given in categories such as community engagement, student placements and international engagement.

Awards were presented by Sutton's Labour MP Linda Gilroy, council leader Cllr Vivien Pengelly, and City Development Company chairman James Brent.

David Connelly, chairman of NHS Plymouth, accepted the Employer of the Year award, voted for by students at the university and its partner colleges on the basis of which organisation they would most like to work for when they graduate.

He said: It is an endorsement of our graduate recruitment strategy and demonstrates the efforts we have made to recruit talented graduates."

Guests were invited to a reception and dinner in a specially erected marquee on the Hoe.

Winners were presented with a cherry-wood trophy designed by Yvette Cox, a second year design student.

Professor Wendy Purcell, the university's Vice-Chancellor, said the awards would become a key date in the university's calendar.

"This event is a celebration of what we have been achieving through region-wide partnership and builds upon the great work we have been doing with the city for Enterprising Britain," she said.

"We have had a phenomenal response to our first ever celebration of enterprise success.

"My congratulations go to all our winners – it has demonstrated that so many people are making a real and sustainable difference to their community."

Among those honoured was Claire Massey, who won the enterprise in Cornwall award for running a programme to renovate rural stations in the county's train network, and mentor of the year was Dr Graham Busby of the Plymouth Business School.

Prof Purcell added: "I am very proud of our students, alumni and staff who have made such an outstanding contribution in so many different arenas."