NOMINATIONS for the area's top business competition are now open. Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chambers of Commerce Awards 2014 have been launched and will lead up to a grand presentation evening at the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, near Worcester on Thursday, July 10.
Sharon Williams,aActing chief executive of the Chamber, said: "Our awards are the most hotly contested and prestigious business awards in the region. The Chamber Business Awards celebrate all that is good in business and offer local firms the opportunity to enhance their reputation both with customers and within the business community as well as boost staff morale. I would strongly encourage businesses to enter and be in with a chance to enjoy the benefits that winning brings."
The categories for 2014 are: most promising new business (for businesses trading less than three years); small business of the year; manufacturer of the year; the sustainability award; best use of technology to Improve your business; exporter of the year; excellence in Innovation; most outstanding young person in a business; commitment to people evelopment; growth business of the year; commitment to supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace (Worcestershire businesses only) ; and business of the year.
This year, Chamber members will also be sent specially made 'Chamber Lotto' scratch cards during the nomination period from April 1 until May 16. The scratch cards give everyone a chance to win a prize from driving a Morgan car for a weekend to luxurious spa days at the Dormy House Hotel, Broadway. Winners of a number of the business awards will automatically be included in the British Chambers of Commerce national business awards where previous successes have included Herefordshire’s Tyrrell’s Potato Chips, which won £50,000 as winner of the outstanding business achievement award in 2007.
Nick Grey, owner of Gtech, based at Spetchley, near Worcester, which won business of the year in 2013 said: "Winning the award has been amazing. It gave us all a great lift and really raised our profile in the region. It is great that local business is celebrated in this way."
Closing date for entries is 4pm on Friday May 16. For more information phone 0845 641 1641 or email awards@hwchamber.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here