A community spirited Gloucester software team that began only a year ago has scooped a major business award for its cutting-edge ideas.

Joist Limited, based in Southgate Street, took gold at the Innovation in Business Technology Innovator Awards as the best mobile app development agency for south-west England.

Martin Thorne, managing director, told Punchline: Joist's business portfolio also includes software solutions and websites, while it also has a design studio facility, making the team a support system for all digital needs.

The award reinforces Joist's determination to make a positive difference in business software, Martin added. 

"The company's first contract was for the development of a specialist accessible website for people with visual impairments, its second for bespoke software for a local charity. At our inception, we made a commitment to offer discounted services to registered charities. Each month the business has grown, allowing us to outsource and give contracts to other small, ethically run local businesses. Giving back is at the heart of what we do, and it is wonderful to have a sense of reward for that. 

"Through offering discounted services to good causes, we have gained contracts and custom from others across Gloucestershire. While still in our infancy, we are now taking our first steps unaided, and pulling others up behind us!"

Martin added: "Our core focus remains on making websites accessible to everybody, including those who have visual and other impairments that may make it difficult to use some websites, while we will continue to help the work of charities, local start-ups, freelancers and small businesses wherever we can.

"We are also looking to focus on environmental issues and continuing to strive towards Net-Zero. Tech companies usually have a global focus, but while Joist has big ambitions, we are rooted in the Gloucestershire soil!"