The 2011 Regional Business Awards will celebrate innovation and determination. Alex Turner reports
TOUGH economic times have forced businesses to become smarter and leaders to be more decisive.
But they have also rewarded innovation and determination, with some companies thriving because of the way they have exploited the opportunities that are out there.
The 20th Liverpool Daily Post Regional Business Awards will highlight and reward those companies, large and small, which have prospered in the last 12 months.
The awards ceremony is being held on Thursday, June 23, at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, and entries open today for businesses which think they have been outstanding in their field.
Liverpool Daily Post editor Mark Thomas said: “The Regional Business Awards are always a celebration of the excellence of the very best businesses and business people in our city region, and never has that been more true than in 2011.
“It is in difficult times that the bravest, the boldest and the most entrepreneurial people demonstrate their true mettle. Vision and dedication are crucial characteristics for successful businesses, particularly in tough economic times.
“Our awards will honour those businesses and I would encourage you to enter if you think your company, or another business you know well, deserves the recognition that these awards bring.”
There are 10 awards which enable businesses big and small, start-ups and long-established firms to be recognised for their achievements in the last 12 months:
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for businesses employing up to 50 people that can demonstrate all- round business excellence.
It was won last year by Liverpool Science Park-based web design agency, Mando Group.
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.
The Contact Company, winners in 2010, conveyed their passion, energy and enthusiasm – which had been translated into solid and continued growth.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER 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, TJ Morris collected the award for its sports, cultural and environmental work in the local community.
INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR
Can your company demonstrate how investment since January, 2010, 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. The 2010 award was won by bus operator Arriva North West, after it pumped £100m into a new fleet of local buses.
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.
Birkenhead manufacturer of electrical varnishes and resins, AEV, was the judges’ choice because of its extremely high proportion of sales overseas.
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.
It was won last year by Daresbury-based software firm Tech X, which designs software used to analyse particle physics experiments.
GREEN AWARD
The judges decided that B&M Waste Services was a forward-thinking business with a huge commitment to meeting challenging environmental demands with the ultimate aim of achieving 100% recycling.
Has your business made a similarly positive contribution to the environment?
O2 JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD
The winner may not be shortlisted in any of the categories but in the eyes of the judges demonstrated commitment, determination and dedication to their business and entry into the awards. Consideration will be paid to the presentation, attention to detail and financial performance of nominees.
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 fast-growing retailer TJ Morris, which owns the HomeBargains chain, did last year.
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, Stobart Ports managing director and Widnes Vikings chairman Steve O’Connor won the award – joining Sir Michael Bibby, Duke of Westminster, George Downing, and Peel Holding’s John Whittaker as recipients 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 for entries is Wednesday, April 13.
