The 2010 Regional Business Awards will highlight the region’s best firms, says Alex Turner
WE HAVE just begun the Chinese year of the tiger – an appropriate metaphor for our region’s businesses as the city heads to the World Expo, in Shanghai, this spring.
Despite two years of economic woes, many businesses across the region have remained strong through a combination of ambition, innovation and plain hard work.
The Liverpool Daily Post’s regional business awards – now in its 19th year – have always sought to recognise the sterling work that our businesses and business leaders do in improving our region’s prosperity.
This year, the awards dinner will be at a new venue, Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, on Thursday, May 27, hosted by Peter Sissons.
Liverpool Daily Post editor Mark Thomas said: “As a salute to Liverpool’s involvement as the only UK city to take part as an exhibitor in the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, we are giving this year’s event an Oriental theme.
“The year ahead promises to be a more positive one for the business community in our city region, after the difficult times we have all had to fight our way through over the last 18 months.
“Fragile though they may seem, the signs of recovery are out there, and the businesses who have shown the drive, foresight and courage to steer the most effective course through the recent economic downturn are those who will be best placed to prosper.
“Our awards are open to any firm, big or small, that operates in the region. If you think your company, or another business you know well, deserves the recognition that these awards bring, please complete the nomination form.
“We would be delighted to receive your entry, and I hope very much to see you at the awards ceremony in May.”
There are nine awards which enable businesses big and small, start-ups and long-established firms to be recognised for their achievements in the last 12 months.
ROYAL MAIL SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The award for businesses employing up to 50 people that can demonstrate all round business excellence.
It was won last year by fast-growing St Helens-based Elite Telecom.
MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Judges will be looking for specific business achievements and a strong financial performance from businesses employing between 51 and 250 people.
RS Clare, winners in 2009, had transformed its fortunes in recent years within the competitive chemicals sector helped by significants R&D investment.
O2 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
This award will be presented to the private sector business or individual, judged to have the best history of taking into account the effect of the business operations on the community and the economy. This can include companies that give time or money to charities or the voluntary sector.
Last year, Eli Lilly’s relationship with the communities around its Speke factory caught the judges’ attention.
LIVERPOOL VISION INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR
Can your company demonstrate how investment since January, 2009, has had a beneficial impact on your business and local economy?
Firms that are new to the region or existing businesses making fresh investments are eligible.
T-Systems, the billing and direct mail arm of Deutsche Telekom, last year created 40 jobs in Bromborough.
KLM EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
With the World Expo highlighting the importance of international trade, judges are looking for the company that can demonstrate a substantial and sustained increase in export activity relative to the size of your company over the past 12 months.
They will be looking for evidence of barriers that have been overcome and the degree to which the overseas trade has benefited the region, as Runcorn-based Tall Security Print did last year.
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Knowledge Business of the Year category is open to any business engaged in the commercialisation of research and development of intellectual property, including pure sciences, technology, software or professional know-how, irrespective of size or stage of development. The judges will be looking for evidence of, or at least the clear potential for, profitable trading in the knowledge sector as well as a beneficial economic impact to the region.
Aimes Grid Services, which provides high volume advanced internet services to the business market, were the stand-out winner of this award in 2009.
GREEN AWARD
Painting and decorating firm Roy Hankinson Group last year found a way of recycling 50,000 used paint tins a year. Has your business made a similarly positive contribution to the environment?
KPMG BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for the region’s outstanding large business, employing more than 250 people.
Judges will consider evidence of a strong financial performance, excellent business achievements, contribution to local prosperity and other specific initiatives that make you stand out from your peers – as resurgent shipbuilders Cammell Laird did a year ago.
DLA PIPER BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Do you, or does someone you work with, truly stand out from the crowd. Do they help to not only grow the reputation of their respective organisation but also the region, showing the entrepreneurial spirit that typifies the region’s resilience and resurgence? Last year, Sir Michael Bibby won the award – joining the Duke of Westminster, George Downing, and Peel Holding’s John Whittaker as a winner of the award.
THE awards are open to any business operating in the Daily Post circulation area of Merseyside, West Lancashire and North West Cheshire. To enter one or more of our award categories, please get in touch with the Daily Post’s events department for an application form by telephoning 0151 472 2570 or download an application form online at www.regionalbusinessawards.co.uk
The closing date is Wednesday, March 24.
